Please grade Pres. Obama's SOTU Speech

[PRETZEL]

32. My grade, solid B+ to A-

His highlights of his past accomplishments (Bin Laden, getting troops out of Iraq as examples) coming right up front set a pretty good tone. Following that up by basically calling the R's out for their obstructionism put him up early.

I thought his ideas on corporate tax reform and incentives for companies to grow domestic manufacturing and high tech job retraining programs is good policy. I hope that is one area where Congress can get their heads out of their asses and realize the long term benefits of programs like this will have.

His energy plans I'm not so high on, but I really feel it's a necessity. I'm not thrilled by the opening up of public lands for gas exploitation especially since fracking is the technology of the day. In this case, I'm not sure the ends justify the means.

What concerns me in his wish list was the unfunded mandates to the states, especially as it relates to education. Granted I totally support his position when it comes to demanding high quality education and skills training, but as many of us know who are currently trying to live under some of the current R governors, I can see this having some severe repucussions for other areas of need especially in the public welfare sectors.

Overall, very realistic SOTU both over the last year as well as a not so over the top agenda for the coming year.