Reply #12: I was pleased at some moments, like when he called the GOP "hostage taker",

[Mass]

but generally speaking, I was PO today. It was as if the president was madder at his allies than he was at the GOP. His allies are on the right side of the issue, even when they are less pragmatic than he is. The GOP leaders are not. I have no problem with the agenda of Tavis Smiley or Michael Moore. I just wished we had enough Democrats in the House and the Senate to get it done. I understand it is not going to happen, but this is not a reason to attack those who fight for it to happen (though I strongly disagree with those who think Obama is the same as Bush, but I suspect they know it is hyperbole).

Also, it may be because our state has one of the most gifted public speaker I know (not Kerry or Kennedy, but Deval Patrick), but I am less impressed by Obama's oratory skills than others may be. I remembered having been blown away by Patrick's acceptance and inauguration speech in 2006. I was again blown away during this campaign by his ability to connect and seem more engaged and less intellectual than Obama can be in these moments. Somewhere in my head, I know that these compromises (if I can call them that way) are necessary, but it does not speak to my heart, and I suspect this is what makes the connection more difficult.