State of the Union Speech, Part Deux

Having received substantially positive feedback on what to look for in viewing the President's speech to the Congress tomorrow evening, here is a fuller articulation of the keys to watch for, in deciding whether Mr. Obama has pulled a Clinton-like triangleization and moved to the center of the political spectrum, so that the nation can move forward with bi-partisan governance.

I will begin to believe that the President wants to reach consensus with Republicans, should he offer to truly engage in dialogue with Congress on a substantial rewrite of the Health Care legislation, not conceding on repeal for sure, but a willingness to find common ground on tort reform, inter-state health insurance competition and personal health care savings accounts. I would be absolutely convinced that the President has moved to the moderate center of American politics, should he offer to find an alternative to the freedom crushing mandate that every adult living today purchase a health insurance policy.

On yesterday's Meet the Press interview of Congressman Cantor, Moderator Gregory sought to make illegitimate the prevailing view held by conservatives that President Obama is outside the nation's 230 year history and tradition of limited government, in favor of greater individual liberty:

Gregory: "Because I think a lot of people, Leader [Cantor], would say that a leader's job is to shut some of this [crazy talk] down. You know as well as I do there are elements on the right who believe two things about this President: 'he is actively trying to undermine the American Way and wants to deny individuals their freedom.' Do you reject these beliefs."

Cantor: "[Of course not, David, indeed, I fully embrace them because, they are true. First, President Obama has repeatedly said that he wants to "fundamentally change" and achieve a "transformation of America" into a 'more caring' European style welfare state, where wealth is more equitably shared by the more affluent with the nation's less fortunate. Secondly, the President has been absolutely steadfast in his support for the unconstitutional health care insurance purchase mandate. Surely, you agree, David, that fining Americans thousands of dollars, and if not paid, threatening them with long prison sentences denies individual freedom, and is contrary to the American Way.]"

Ok, Congressman Cantor choose not to answer quite so candidly, but the mere fact that the main stream media can ask such non-sensical questions typifies why its viewership continues to decline so precipitously. Just saying ...