Obama says 'Bring it on'

Obama's weekly address have typically been drab. This morning was different. He brought a level of combativeness that I haven't seen since the general election. He brings it:


2/28/09: Your Weekly Address from White House on Vimeo.

Most notably:

"I realize that passing this budget won't be easy. Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington. I know that the insurance industry won't like the idea that they'll have to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but that's how we'll help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs for American families. I know that banks and big student lenders won't like the idea that we're ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but that's how we'll save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies won't like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but that's how we'll help fund a renewable energy economy that will create new jobs and new industries. I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they're gearing up for a fight as we speak. My message to them is this:

"'So am I.'

"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long, but I don’t. I work for the American people. I didn’t come here to do the same thing we’ve been doing or to take small steps forward, I came to provide the sweeping change that this country demanded when it went to the polls in November."

It was shocking. He called out the lobbyist. He calls out student loan companies. He steps up tot the place and into the place of the people's representative. He's reframed the argument. He's using every bit of the mandate he earned by winning the election and the landslide it turned into. The WaPo has an interesting article today on Obama's attempts to stay connected to life outside of the White House bubble. Today's address was perfectly inline with these attempts. He's going to use all 67% to push through his agenda. Republicans have decided to put their effort into splitting up Obama and Pelosi. The New York Times, Newseek, and Politico are all being used as pawns in this game. The thing is both Pelosi and Obama believe they are doing the people's work. This bravado is a reason I first became interested in him. This should be some great political theater.
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