'Let's Seize the Moment, Start Anew': Obama

'Despite our hardships, our union is strong,' speech says

(NEWSER) - The White House has released excerpts of President Obama’s State of the Union address scheduled for 9 EST tonight. Some highlights, via the Wall Street Journal :

• “Despite our hardships, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not quit. We don’t allow fear or division to break our spirit. In this new decade, it’s time the American people get a government that matches their decency.”

His gimmicky idea to cut spending doesn't bode well for the nation

(NEWSER) - President Obama's gimmicky idea to keep the budget in check by freezing non-defense spending shows he's fallen into the "deficit peacock" camp, writes Paul Krugman. The camp abounds with politicians who support superficial—but politically popular—methods to present the illusion of fiscal discipline. It won't work, and "the fact that anyone thought such a dumb policy idea was politically smart is bad news because it’s an indication of the extent to which we’re failing to come to grips with our economic and fiscal problems." More»

Va. governor McDonnell rips federal debt, health reform

(AP) - The nation cannot afford the spending Democrats have enacted or the tax increases they propose, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said in the Republican response to tonight's State of the Union address. McDonnell criticized the huge run-up in federal debt, and said that while Americans want affordable health care, but they don't want the government to run it. More»

Highly effective talk knocks down House plan, public option

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s health care speech was “the finest speech of his presidency,” writes David Brooks: While rhetorically appeasing liberals, it “subtly staked out ground in the center” to win over moderates, making passage “much more likely,” he opines in the New York Times. Obama was firm in creating the “Dime Standard”: No plan can add “one dime to our deficits.” Bye, House plan. More»

(NEWSER) - Newt Gingrich lashed out today against President Obama’s health care plan, saying the nation should deal with crushing unemployment first, Politico reports. “America does not work if Americans are not working,” he said. “Getting Americans working should be the number one priority.” Gingrich called for a 50% reduction in the Social Security payroll tax and a cut in corporate taxes, a plan he says is supported by several members of Congress. More»