My cousin writes that she is celebrating. "What a man!"

A friend in Queens wonders "whether stimulus package will help a.
finance education b. get a green job (or any job) c. fund a business d.
none of the above :-(

A friend in Manhattan says that "she is once again inspired."

A friend from Carroll Garden is "having popcorn with the President."

Some I don't know said abuot the Republic rebuttal:  "Republican Rule No. 1: Never, ever agree to follow an Obama speech.
State of Union rebuttals should go to unknown Republican freshman
members of the House for the next 4 years, otherwise the republicans
will have no-one left to run against Obama in '12."

City Councilman David Yassky "is inspired and energized by the State of the Union!!"

Obama is on the final stretch:

These words and these stories tell us something about the spirit of
the people who sent us here.  They tell us that even in the most trying
times, amid the most difficult circumstances, there is a generosity, a
resilience, a decency, and a determination that perseveres; a
willingness to take responsibility for our future and for posterity.

Their resolve must be our inspiration.  Their concerns must be our
cause.  And we must show them and all our people that we are equal to
the task before us.

I know that we haven’t agreed on every issue thus far, and there are
surely times in the future when we will part ways.  But I also know
that every American who is sitting here tonight loves this country and
wants it to succeed.  That must be the starting point for every debate
we have in the coming months, and where we return after those debates
are done.  That is the foundation on which the American people expect
us to build common ground.

And if we do – if we come together and lift this nation from the
depths of this crisis; if we put our people back to work and restart
the engine of our prosperity; if we confront without fear the
challenges of our time and summon that enduring spirit of an America
that does not quit, then someday years from now our children can tell
their children that this was the time when we performed, in the words
that are carved into this very chamber, “something worthy to be
remembered.”  Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United
States of America.

The speech lasted 50 minutes and he was interrupted by applause 53 times (pundits count these things).

Finally, the Iraq war:

"I will responsibly end this war. With our friends and allies we will create a strategy to defeat safe havens in Afghanistan and Pakistan for Al Queda…I will not allow it."

"To the men and women, who are serving this country, we honor your service, we are inspired by your sacrifice, and you have our unyielding support."

"Extended benefits and health care to those who are serving this country…"

Living our values doesn't make us weaker, it makes us stronger…The US of American DOES NOT TORTURE we can make that commitment here tonight."

"American cannot meet the threats of this century alone…We must move forward with the confidence and candor that these times demand."

"The eyes of all people in all nations are upon us." Cut to shot of Pilot Scully. "This is a tremendous burden but also a great privilege. In our hands lies the ability to shape our world for good or for ill. It's easy to doubt…In my life I have learned that hope is found in unlikely places…from the dreams and aspirations of ordinary Americans who are anything but ordinary…"

"What if he farts," OSFO asks. No comment.

Standing O for banker in Florida who gave his money away….

Obama is wrapping up now with stories about real people who have done incredible things…Now he's talking about a letter he got from a young student in Dylan, South Carolina. "'We are not quitters.' that's what she said." he looks up at the girl, who is sitting next to Michele Obama. She and her mom are crying.

Heck, I'm crying. Obama stares up at them beautifully.

"It is time for America to lead again…"

Energy:

He talked about solar energy and other forms renewable energy

And about cars:

"I believe that the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it…"

Correction: Hepcat say that Germany's Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz invented the automobile…

Healthcare

"We can't put health care reform on hold. It's time." That's music to my ears. Nice shot of Hillary Clinton standing up and clapping…

 "A disease that has effected everyone including me, we are seeking a cure for cancer in our time."

"A commitment to quality health care for every one…health care reform can not wait, will not wait another year…"

Education

"Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require
more than a high school diploma. And yet, just over half of our
citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high
school dropout rates of any industrialized nation. And half of the
students who begin college never finish.

This is a prescription
for economic decline, because we know the countries that outteach us
today will outcompete us tomorrow. That is why it will be the goal of
this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete
and competitive education — from the day they are born to the day they
begin a career."

"Our school don't just need resources, they need reform…and rewards for successful teachers. We'll invest in innovative programs and expand our commitment to charter schools. It is our responsibilities as lawmakers and educators to make this system work."

"I ask every American to commit to one year of higher education. Whatever the training may be, every American will need to get a high school diploma…It's not just quitting on yourself. It's quitting on your country. And this country needs the talents of every American."

Joe Biden is up with that last line.

"By 2020 we will have the highest proportion of college graduates. That's a goal we can meet."

"I intend to encourage a renewed spirit of national service…"

 "Put people to work, put money in their pockets…"

I can tell it's going to be a long speech heavy with content and mean. I can listen to our president for hours.

As soon as I took office, I asked this Congress to send me a
recovery plan by President’s Day that would put people back to work and
put money in their pockets.  Not because I believe in bigger government
– I don’t.  Not because I’m not mindful of the massive debt we’ve
inherited – I am.  I called for action because the failure to do so
would have cost more jobs and caused more hardships.  In fact, a
failure to act would have worsened our long-term deficit by assuring
weak economic growth for years.  That’s why I pushed for quick action. 
And tonight, I am grateful that this Congress delivered, and pleased to
say that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is now law.

Over the next two years, this plan will save or create 3.5 million
jobs.  More than 90% of these jobs will be in the private sector – jobs
rebuilding our roads and bridges; constructing wind turbines and solar
panels; laying broadband and expanding mass transit.

Because of this plan, there are teachers who can now keep their jobs
and educate our kids.  Health care professionals can continue caring
for our sick.  There are 57 police officers who are still on the
streets of Minneapolis tonight because this plan prevented the layoffs
their department was about to make.

Because of this plan, 95% of the working households in America will
receive a tax cut – a tax cut that you will see in your paychecks
beginning on April 1st.

Because of this plan, families who are struggling to pay tuition
costs will receive a $2,500 tax credit for all four years of college. 
And Americans who have lost their jobs in this recession will be able
to receive extended unemployment benefits and continued health care
coverage to help them weather this storm.

I know there are some in this chamber and watching at home who are
skeptical of whether this plan will work.  I understand that
skepticism.  Here in Washington, we’ve all seen how quickly good
intentions can turn into broken promises and wasteful spending.  And
with a plan of this scale comes enormous responsibility to get it right.

 Big smile from Joe Biden sitting behind the president. Standing O from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi when Obama says, "Nobody messes Joe."

–Obama talks about Recovery.gov where Americans can monitor how the money is being spent.

–If we don't restart lending in this country our recovery will be choked…The flow of credit is the life blood of how we get along…"

For some reason OSFO is playing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" on the piano; it's driving me nuts.  Hepcat is having a fit because the TV is too loud.

"What is your problem?" I ask.

Standing O and I don't even know why. Joe Lieberman looks positively miserable. What a jerk.

I intend to hold these banks fully accountable for the assistance they
receive, and this time, they will have to clearly demonstrate how
taxpayer dollars result in more lending for the American taxpayer. 
This time, CEOs won’t be able to use taxpayer money to pad their
paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet.  Those
days are over.

I like that.

It's like a State-of-the-Union but he hasn't been in office long enough for one. Hugh went out for double-stuffed Oreos before the Obamathon (The pundits are saying that the speech will be upwards of 50 minutes, including applause.

According to Joel Klein, author of Primary Colors, says that Bill Clinton told Obama he need to be more optimistic.

The Supreme Court Justices are coming out now. Ruth Ginsberg is there!!! She just had pancreatic surgery not long ago. What a hero. She doesn't look too bad.

The honored guests: The Scully and the crew of the flight that landed in the Hudson River are there.Michele glowing, sits in the balcony in a sleeveless purple dress.

Obama's Cabinet is coming out now. Hillary Clinton with a big huge grin on her face and a bright red suit is the first. Hugh's back with the junk food.

"Get me my double-stuffed," OSFO says.

On the TV: The Speaker of the House announces: "The President of the United Stats." Count the tears in Park Slope, where people get downright soppy every time Obama does anything (myself included).

His level of confidence, conviviality, calm is really incredible.Members of congress thrust their hands in his direction; vigorous hand shaking, encouraging words.

Hillary Clinton looks downright thrilled to see the president. Who could have imagined that during the campaign?

It's taken him more than 6 minutes to get to the lectern.

"Thank you."

OSFO say: "Every time Obama says thank you, you can just hear him thinking 'shut up already.s it typical to introduce the first lady of the United States. He blows her kisses.

Oh my god I am kvelling.

Let's see if he can do optimistic tonight…

I know that for many Americans watching right now, the state of our
economy is a concern that rises above all others.  And rightly so.  If
you haven’t been personally affected by this recession, you probably
know someone who has – a friend; a neighbor; a member of your family. 
You don’t need to hear another list of statistics to know that our
economy is in crisis, because you live it every day.  It’s the worry
you wake up with and the source of sleepless nights.  It’s the job you
thought you’d retire from but now have lost; the business you built
your dreams upon that’s now hanging by a thread; the college acceptance
letter your child had to put back in the envelope.  The impact of this
recession is real, and it is everywhere.

But while our economy may be weakened
and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and
uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this:

We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.

The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this
nation.  The answers to our problems don’t lie beyond our reach.  They
exist in our laboratories and universities; in our fields and our
factories; in the imaginations of our entrepreneurs and the pride of
the hardest-working people on Earth.  Those qualities that have made
America the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history
we still possess in ample measure.  What is required now is for this
country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and
take responsibility for our future once more.

Okay. Optimism is back.