http://www.scotusblog.com/2010/01/commentary-alito-vs-obama-whos-right/

That's what seemed to be the break from protocol for me, in that the court Obama was criticising was sat right in front of him. But I could be wrong on which case law in particular it was that Reagan was opposed to. Like I said, back in 1988 I was seven, so I didn't watch the SOTU myself, just read it.

Incidentally I don't agree with school prayer myself, so this isn't partisan, and if I'm fair, what Reagan did was certainly skirting the edge of what is and isn't acceptable, but I do think Obama stepped a little further.

Of course, this is all a matter of framing, but since you are a fan of framing as a political tool, I hope you can see my point (even if you don't agree with it, per se). It's also interesting that since you yourself referenced the Reagan influence on Obama's SOTU that this should provide yet another parallel.

Besides, my point was less a criticism of Obama and more a defence of Alito mouthing those words (for which he's been condemned quite a bit). I've also read the decision, and do think Obama did somewhat misrepresent what it's holding was (even Factcheck.org suggests that he did, but that because he began the sentence with "I believe", it was an opinion, not fact), which was probably what Alito was referring to with his "Not true" statement.

I'm actually not sure either Alito nor Obama should be castigated for that incident at all, just thought I'd add it to Osborne's "bad optic" list (which could hurt either party, depending on how it plays out, come November).

Moderate -

Ronald Reagan himself castigated the Supreme Court during a SOTU message. The issue was school prayer.

-CW

Well as I think Obama's plan on the banks is wrong I'm not sure I agree that it was bad for the Republicans not to applaud it. But we'll see how it plays out in November, as well as how Justice Alito's mouthed words play out.

Of course there are those of us who believe that, as the Supreme Court attends as a non-partisan body, criticism of them is, at best, very poor protocol, because it's quite different from critique of the opposition.

Whether one agrees with the decision or not, I think that it is unfair to attack a group that can't rebut you (using applause or otherwise, hence criticism of Alito mouthing something, even if it wasn't formally a rebuttal or rebuke).

I also thought the GOP response was actually very impressive, considering just how good Obama's SOTU was (and I give credit where it's due, that was a very impressive speech). As a man of colour myself, I do get annoyed that race gets brought into any response to Obama. Whilst it's understandably a factor, I think the selection of the forum here had a lot less to do with race and a lot more to do with the fact it was the Governor of Virginia speaking.

To be fair, the right are just as bad at it (with their condemnation of Reid for words that were more misguided than racist), although I think some of those who were angered by the treatment of Reid didn't so much believe it to be a racism issue, but rather a double standards issue (that if a Republican dared to use the word Reid did, they'd be vilified from pillar to post).

Chris,

Excellent post. Like you I felt Obama's SOTU was very reminiscent of Ronnie, and if that's a sign, it's not exactly a bad one. As you noted in your poll site, Obama's approval ratings have so far tracked Reagan's rather closely, and he ended with excellent approval ratings. Reagan was also a President who was known for making Congress march to his tune, rather than ceding authority, even to those of his own party, and Obama's deference to Pelosi and Reid is an issue I've heard many left-winger lament. Maybe this signals a change?

I doubt you'd be unhappy to see Obama "lead" more.

A laundry list is a shopping list, the same as a grocery list. Its just that few people use laundries anymore, they use self-service laundries, if any, where they only rent equipment to do the job themselves instead of buying laundry services. Its not that the metaphor is less appropriate, its that the word laundry is now associated with self-service laundries and not hand laundries.

I make the observation because there is really nothing else you've said I can quibble with.

The ball's now in Congress' court, let's see what they do with it.

Osborne -

Well, most Americans aren't that up on their history, I think. You're right about the GOP speech -- it was pretty low-impact, but then following Obama is probably not that easy a thing to do for anyone.

As for showing up in ads, well, I wish that Democratic campaign strategists were that on-the-ball, but I haven't seen all that much evidence of it. This really annoys me -- the number of times Dems just forget, or refuse to use something in campaigns that would be an easy target.

I hope you're right, though.

-CW

One thing I noted during the SOTU: the Republicans sat on their hands until Obama chided them for not applauding tax cuts. Apparently realizing their error, the right side of the chamber leaped to its feet at the very next applause line...

...for big business.

This after sitting on their hands while the president talked about reigning in banks, deficits, etc...

Incredibly bad optics. I guarantee it will show up ads this fall.

I am still not going to hold my breath waiting for any of the items on the list to be checked off.

...Stan