President Obama gave yet another stellar performance showing his charisma, charm and confidence while delivering the SOTU Address. The topic most relevant to this forum: DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell). While telling congress and the American Public that he wants this repealed, we've heard this before. Just a few months ago at the Human Rights Campaign Dinner in Washington, D.C. With the draw-down in Iraq and the "surge" in Afghanistan, it is my hope that the wider LGBT Community across the United States does not hold it against the president if he's not able to accomplish this until August or shortly thereafter when we can say "Mission Completed" in Iraq. One would think he would want to chalk this one up in the "ACCOMPLISHED" column at next year's SOTU.

If President Obama gets a second term or his ambitious agenda is completed early (a miracle) I would expect that at that point he would attempt a repeal of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). I DO NOT expect to see this in the first term, however.

Little more than a year ago, while the then President-Elect Obama tried to help fill the leadership vacuum we experienced between last year's election night and his swearing-in, his leadership style as President is somewhat hands-off compared to that of his predecessors.
He puts forth the agenda item and goal and then hands it off to congress as opposed to sending a bill from the White House to be negotiated. Utilizing this method appears to have cost him critical time relative to health care reform. The Democratic Leadership writing and then negotiating the bill created enough delays that we can now expect to see "Insurance Reform" in place of "Health Care Reform". While SOMETHING is better than NOTHING, I'm hoping that President Obama quickly realizes this short-coming on the part of Congress and chooses other methods to promote his agenda.

In my experience, partisanship in Washington, D.C. usually works best when legislative power is more equally divided in the legislative branch. I was truly hoping for a more assertive approach to how he would bring the parties together. His emotional sales pitch to do this at the end of his speech touched me. But I doubt that many of the congresspeople in WDC felt it despite their proximity.

If President Obama wants to get things accomplished, he needs to work with both parties. The compromises each party makes brings the ideals, legislation and budgets closer to the center of the political spectrum which is where most of the country (Joe INDEPENDENT) sits. Without bipartisan support for legislation President Obama may continue to appear as though he's pandering to the left which could cost him control of the congress in 2010 and his bid for re-election in 2012. Ultimately it will take more time to assure each house has the votes in place delaying his agenda items -- provided the Senate decides not to fillibuster.

There are so many priorities demanded of President Obama that in order to accomplish the ambitious goals with which he entered office, he must take the time to provide his leadership to BOTH PARTIES in order to achieve compromises. One foot in front of the other, step by step. It is my hope that President Obama will find success with his agenda and progress the United States in whatever method he executes to accomplish his goals.

GRADE: B+
Showed Charisma, took a boring speech and made it funny keeping the American People tuned in to what he wanted them to hear. Came in to office and prevented economic chaos. Has re-established strained ties with MANY foreign countries. Must work on his people skills with others not in his own party. Needs to come MORE CENTER in order to win reelection. VERY HARD WORKER.