Instant Analysis: Great speech from the President!!! Why was Pelosi wearing that thing?!?

[smalll]

I loved the speech. I could cavil on a couple of policy points, but in the main the policy cohered. And the speech, and more importantly, its delivery, was brilliant.

He was in fine form tonight - eloquent, both spritely but also magisterial, energized by a certain bulldog-like defiance against the crises that we face. He may have sent the Churchill bust out of the Oval Office back to England, but he was Churchillian tonight. Of course, he was FDR-like as well, in that same kind of confident tone.

And he made a PERFECT decision to begin to plow forward and speak OVER the applause almost every time BEFORE it died out. Most American politicians, and certainly most American Presidents at the State of the Union, never take that obvious and crucial step when giving speeches. Let it die out everytime, and the speech drags, and every ovation becomes nothing more than an annoying delay, like red lights in cross-town traffic. But speak INTO it, and the applause then helps the speech build in rhythmn and intensity.

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But what about Nancy? One thing I have always said for her is that she dresses well. So it was a rare unforced error from the Speaker tonight. First, she would have had to struggle to pick a MORE drab, blah, spiritless color than that washed-out dirty light-green she was wearing. And that top was WAY too informal for the State of the Union. What WOULD you wear that thing for? It looked a little like a smock for art class, or a hoodie without the hood. Perhaps one might wear it out in one's yard for gardening. Those dangling strings on the front only emphasized the wierd unsuitability.

[marybourg]

1. I thought she looked charming and her dress very attractive. nt.

[smalll]

2. She looked fine herself, but HOW was that dress appropriate for the moment?

Maybe it would be cool for a California cocktail party on the beach or something, but for sitting up there behind the President at this annual ceremony, with everyone there, the Justices in their robes, the commanders of the armed services in their uniforms, etc.?

[Mrs. Ted Nancy]

3. She was wearing a skirt.

She looked fine. Also, technically, this wasn't a State of the Union speech. It was an address to a joint session of Congress.

If she wore red or hot pink, she would be thought to upstage his speech i.e. the red was distracting. If she wore blue, she and Biden look like they had coordinated their suits. If she wears black, looks like she is going to a funeral. Because she has somewhat of fair complexion, light colors make her face look drawn. We really shouldn't worry too much about her clothes.

The Pres speech was great. All of those old men are going to have some sore knees, with all of the standing and clapping they did.

I missed where Justice Ginsberg came down. My mom said that it was emotional, but she has been known to cry at sappy commercials. Let me know.

[eleny]

4. About Justice G - she was beaming

She's usually quite serious. But tonight as people applauded to greet her, she started to smile and her face lit up. It was great to see. There should be some photos or a video by tomorrow.

[JustJeking]

5. I for one thought Nancy looked great...

every time she laughed, I just had to join in with her. :)

[Jennicut]

6. I was not fond of Nancy's outfit..too informal But she looked very happy

and she and Biden were funny together. I think Nancy was relieved she did not have to sit next to Cheney anymore!

[RollWithIt]

7. Did you seriously dedicate a thread criticizing Pelosi's dress???

Seriously?