Rocking the House, and Senate!

The transcript:

I know that we haven't agreed on every issue thus far -- (laughter.) There are surely times in the future where we will part ways. But I also know that every American who is sitting here tonight loves this country and wants it to succeed. I know that. (Applause.) 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."

The President simply hit it out of the park. He addressed the issues firmly, and specifically, but with hope, not despair. This speech was crafted in a way that the administration was going to talk straight to us, but lift us at the same time. The President made it clear where we are at, but laid out specifically how we are going to dig ourselves out.

Obama described the nation's financial woes as a "reckoning" for poor decisions made by both government and individuals. Video Watch what Obama says about the "day of reckoning" »

"A surplus became an excuse to transfer wealth to the wealthy instead of an opportunity to invest in our future," Obama said.

"Regulations were gutted for the sake of a quick profit at the expense of a healthy market. People bought homes they knew they couldn't afford from banks and lenders who pushed those bad loans anyway. And all the while, critical debates and difficult decisions were put off for some other time on some other day."

Noting that is easy to "become cynical and doubtful," Obama said he has learned that "hope is found in unlikely places."

I still have concerns with the bloated stimulus package, but I have faith in this administration. A level of respect that the former administration struggled to attain. And there is another sign that we may be headed in the correct direction. The squealing and squawking of the Right Wing of the blogosphere. The remnants of the 20% that can now only kick and scream. They are denigrating into a level of despair unmatched during the entire 8 years of the GWBush presidency. They are afraid, very afraid, cause the know that we just might have the best leader for this time, with a plan for the future. Its more than hope, but success, peace and prosperity that are on the way!

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