10:14 pm
SOTU VII
National security/foreign policy time.
First focus is on combating terrorism, prohibiting torture, building alliances. Reiterates Afghanistan policy. Shot of Joint Chiefs not applauding. Most Americans won’t realize they, like SCOTUS, don’t applaud.
Pledges to get all combat troops out of Iraq “by the end of this office.” Does that mean 2008 or 2012? Have to say that his comments on Iraq are true, but it certainly is different from what Americans are seeing and reading about Iraq right now.
Tepid response to arms control measures.
His human rights language wasn’t anything new. Striking that some Republicans refused to stand and applaud Obama’s call to stand by human freedom and dignity. Are they able to be gracious about anything?
All in all, his foreign policy section was less rousing, less rhetorical, and thus less compelling. He really didn’t break any new ground.