Obama's Plan 'Bolder, Better Than Expected'

Pundits see president's speech as a populist offensive

(NEWSER) - President Obama delivered a feisty, populist State of the Union address last night ( excerpts here , pictures here ), and naturally pundits are dissecting and grading it today. Here's what they're saying:

• "Obama had a simple message for Republicans: Game on," writes Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post . What on the surface was a typical post-partisan Obama speech was actually full of populist challenges to Republicans. "This is Obama version 2.0: Harder, more cynical but perhaps also more effective."

He wants to shift focus from ground troops to 'irregular warfare'

(NEWSER) - President Obama officially unveiled his plan for a slimmed-down military with a speech at the Pentagon today, promising that budget cuts and a reduction in conventional ground forces wouldn't harm the nation's security. "Our military will be leaner, but the world must know—the United States is going to maintain our military superiority with Armed Forces that are agile, flexible, and ready for the full range of contingencies," Obama said, according to NPR . More»

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

(NEWSER) - As the last 6,000 American troops prepare to leave Iraq by Dec. 31, President Obama today heralded the end of the divisive war—but issued a warning to the country's neighbors: The US will continue to have a "strong presence in the Middle East." He added, in a speech made after meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki this morning, that "the United States will never waiver in the defense of our allies, our partners, and our interests." More»

But it's missing one crucial element, 'Los Angeles Times' notes

(NEWSER) - "Pass this bill," President Obama said more than two dozen times during his two speeches last week touting his jobs bill —and he’ll say it again tonight when he officially sends the American Jobs Act to Congress. “He will call on Congress to pass the bill, which contains the kinds of proposals to grow the economy and create jobs that have been supported by both parties in the past,” a White House official tells Politico . Obama will announce the sending of the bill in a Rose Garden ceremony today, flanked by teachers, firefighters, and others who the official says would benefit from the legislation. More»

Can the president appease his base and Republicans at once?

(NEWSER) - President Obama gives his much-hyped jobs speech tonight, and though the stakes are high, expectations are pretty low . Obama’s “task is nearly impossible,” Politico writes: “appease liberals, appeal to independents, win over some Republicans and make a compelling case to Washington-weary voters.” Here’s what Washington is listening for:

• How big is it? Progressives are pushing for a $300 billion plan with few tax cuts, but the White House has dialed down expectations, with Jay Carney urging people to look for “the substance beneath the number.” But based on the details released yesterday , Democrats don’t like the substance, either.