State of the Union

Normally, there is a lot of hype preceding the State of the Union address, but this year... nothing. Everyone-- probably including Mr. Bush himself-- just wants to get this over with. It's for the best. Every year, the President makes the exact same lofty promises (energy independence, peace in Iraq, fix to immigration, etc), ignoring that his party's own policies make these goals impossible. Then we all clap and begin another year of ridiculousness.

This year's focuses will be, naturally, the economy and Iraq. Spoiler alert... he understands our frustration(s), but wants us to know he's got this shit under control.

The President may be thinking of legacy tonight, and trying to smooth over as much as possible. But Digby looks at at the real Bush legacy, which so folks like Romney, McCain, and Huckabee are fighting to inherit. Here's a handy chart (click thumbnail)-



Digby concludes-

"The Republicans can run, but they can't hide from their complicity in this, especially the presidential candidates who are still quaking in their boots for fear of offending the Bush cultists who continue to defend that shameful record. Bush is their albatross --- they made him, now they have to take responsibility for him. If you listen to their rhetoric on the trail it's quite clear that they are ready to do it all over again."

I have a feeling this point will be not what Gov. Sebelius gives in the Democratic response tonight (platitudes will likely be what we get), but it's a point that all of the Democratic candidates must begin making explicitly once the general election begins. You don't entrust the arsonist with putting out his fire.