Top Hill lawmakers handed down their judgment on President Barack Obama?s State of the Union address ? and not surprisingly, the verdict was split along predictable partisan lines.
At a post-speech briefing hosted by POLITICO, Republicans accused Obama of divisive rhetoric and not delivering on ambitious policy promises ? driving the message that he has fallen short as he amps up for a competitive reelection campaign. And Democrats cheered Obama?s address, arguing that public opinion weighed in favor of Democrats and the president?s goals on jobs and the economy.
Continue Reading?Most of the president?s speech was about a campaign,? said House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
?My first reaction to the president?s speech was, he seems to have an alternative reality in terms of where we are,? added freshman Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). ?When you think about the last four years, you ask yourself the question, ?Are we better off today than when we were four years ago???
Republicans are hoping that voters answer ?no? to that question this November, and several GOP lawmakers at POLITICO?s briefing listed Obama?s policy achievements that they said would turn against Democrats at the polls ? such as the economic stimulus package and his health care law.
?Like most of the other speeches, I find myself agreeing with about 80 percent of what he says, but disagreeing with about 80 percent of what he does,? said Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas)
The House Republican Conference chairman pointed to the current fight over the Keystone XL oil pipeline as an example of Obama not following through on a broader goal of energy independence. The Obama administration has blocked approval of the permit for the controversial 1,700-mile pipeline ? a project that Republicans strongly support as part of their energy and jobs agenda.
?Again, his actions belie his words,? Hensarling said of Obama.
?I would argue the challenge is the president delivering,? said Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.).
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