Officials React to State of the Union Speech

by: Hopeful

Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 10:21:14 PM EST

Below the fold, I'll post the reactions from Senators, Representatives, and other officials.

You can react to the speech, or the reactions, or the reactions to the reactions as you please in the comments.

In snap public opinion polls, the speech gets 84% and 92% approval.

Hopeful :: Officials React to State of the Union Speech

Senator Lautenberg:

"President Obama used his speech tonight to reset the tone in Washington and unify Congress behind strengthening our economy, creating jobs, and improving educational opportunities for our children. This is the type of agenda that can grow the economy so it works not just for a fortunate few, but for middle-class families across the country.
"The President's call for an increased investment in our nation's infrastructure is critical to America's continued economic recovery. I strongly support the President's agenda, which will make us more competitive and create jobs. Investing in our roadways, bridges, rails and tunnels will make sure New Jersey's economy grows along with its transportation access for the region. The investment choices that we make at this time will enable America to maintain its leadership around the entire globe."

Senator Menendez:

"By emphasizing economic competitiveness, job creation, and tax reform, President Obama hit on themes that I embrace and that are music to the ears of middle class families. When our nation competes and wins on a global economic scale, it creates good-paying jobs at home, shrinks budget deficits and reduces the burden on taxpayers.
"This is a golden opportunity to work together and create conditions under which our businesses can grow the job market, our students can achieve and middle class taxpayers can see their paychecks grow. This is not the time to undercut the economic recovery with a backward-looking, politically-motivated agenda.
"The competitiveness agenda President Obama outlined tonight is one that will help our nation win the 21st Century, and I look forward to helping it take shape in the Senate. I intend to be at the forefront of legislative effort to simplify and reform the tax system for middle class families and to create the environment in which American businesses can drive innovation and create new jobs."

New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski:

"Tonight, President Obama made it clear that he will continue to build upon his many accomplishments over the past two years and enable more New Jersey families to realize the American Dream," said Wisniewski. "The President laid out his vision and priorities for the future, recognizing that the true contest is not between parties, but with competitors around the world. He focused on re-building our economy, making it more competitive and innovative to create jobs and opportunities for our workers. The President recognized that while there are many difficult challenges ahead, we can and must lay a strong foundation to realize a more competitive future."

Frank Pallone:

"The President set the right priorities with his focus on job creation, economic recovery, debt reduction and economic opportunity for all Americans and he advanced some good ideas to make real and sustained progress towards those goals. I heard a lot of what I wanted to hear about immediate and long-term actions that are right for the country and right for New Jersey.
"The President and members of Congress set the right tone with a spirit of civility and bi-partisanship. I hope it signals an era of cooperation and shared responsibility among Democrats and Republicans. But we have to do more than sit together, we have to work together.
"The challenges before us are demanding. We have to put people back to work. We have to accelerate the recovery from the recession. We have to look towards debt reduction. And we have to expand the economy in ways that offer future prosperity to everyone.
"We need to make smart, disciplined, forward-looking investments in the infrastructure, education and high-tech innovations. These investments will not only create jobs, they will create new fields in technology and equip workers with the skills for good-paying jobs.
"What's good for the country is especially good for New Jersey. We have the best workers ready and willing to go to work. We have some of the best schools and colleges in the country. And we have high-tech industries, including pharmaceutical companies, that are capable of leading the world.
"Good ideas can transform our abilities and potential into real progress."

New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney. Emphasis added by me:

"The President laid out an ambitious agenda tonight to spur economic growth and job development. It is refreshing to see a leader not only mention the biggest issue facing the country right now, but to also have an idea on how to combat it.
"While the President did discuss ways he would like to help, I do not believe New Jersey can sit back and hope the federal government can solve it all. Nor can we wait another month for the Governor to unveil his budget. We must be doing everything we can right now to create jobs.
"Tonight's State of the Union address was a valuable reminder that here in New Jersey we need to implement the 'Back to Work' legislation that is currently sitting on the Governor's desk. It also reminds us that we must move forward in a cooperative bipartisan manner to get things done for the hard working men and women of New Jersey."

Tags: SOTU Reactions, Barack Obama, 2011, State of the Union, SOTU, (All Tags)

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Officials React to State of the Union Speech | 3 comments

I think it's interesting (0.00 / 0)

that Menendez embraced tax simplification. [among other parts.]

Lautenberg emphasizing the infrastructure is consistent with his great career.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 03:26:31 AM UTC

Frank LoBiondo gives some BS (0.00 / 0)

Complete with reference to "czars," of which there were more created under Bush than Obama.

"Once again, we hear from President Obama that jobs and the economy are the most critical issue facing our nation and his number one focus. While agreeing with that assessment, the American people and this Congress are rightly skeptical of the President's commitment. The past two years have shown an Administration that is easily distracted and often acts without consideration, consultation and consensus. Regrettably, the recommendations and views of the business community, the Congress and the American people have been largely ignored. This 'standard operating procedure' has not worked for two years; it is long past time for a new direction.
"We must end massive government programs run by unaccountable czars - as demonstrated by the stimulus and healthcare laws - which countless Americans rightly view as a waste of their tax dollars. We must meaningfully cut federal spending levels which have brought the nation's debt to unprecedented and unacceptable levels. And we must give the business community a real seat at the table, renewing their confidence to again hire and make capital investments.
"To this end, President Obama rightly spoke about the need to encourage America's global competitiveness while fueling innovation and job creation. I agree with this objective, but am cautious of the actions he takes in pursuit of this shared goal. We must promote our competitiveness without bankrupting our children and grandchildren's futures.
"The American people have loudly and forcefully spoken that the record federal spending and excessive borrowing cannot and should not continue. With high unemployment, job creation and economic growth must be our sole focus. In tonight's address, President Obama acknowledged he heard that message; now he must act in partnership with the Congress and the American people."

Notice complaints about the budget but nothing about the wars he proudly backed.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 03:30:07 AM UTC

found Holt's pre-statement, which is very specific (0.00 / 0)

Rush Holt:

In advance of tonight's State of the Union Address, Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) anticipated what the President will say about strengthening economic growth and job creation through American competitiveness and innovation.
"The President understands that creating lasting jobs and making the economy strong remain our number one priority," Holt said. "A strong economy comes from investing in education and fostering research and development. We will not compete in the 21st century and lead in the global economy without a well-trained, well-educated workforce and without focusing on the kind of innovation that made us a great nation to begin with."
Last month, Holt introduced his first bills in the new Congress, legislation that would encourage small business investment and job creation by cutting taxes for businesses and for investors in research-based businesses.
One bill would encourage small business investment by establishing a temporary 20 percent tax credit for investments in research-intensive small businesses. The legislation builds on a successful state initiative in New Jersey and 17 other states that already do this.
Another bill - the "Create Jobs by Expanding the R&D Tax Credit Act" - would help businesses by strengthening the research and development (R&D) tax credit, which rewards businesses who invest in innovation and allows them to expand and hire new workers. Holt also has proposed making permanent the R&D tax credit, which studies show returns two dollars in private research investment for every dollar spent. Making the R&D tax credit permanent would provide small businesses with greater certainty.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 03:47:12 AM UTC