After President Obama’s State of the Union Address there was much talk about what was in store for us in the next four years. I have said this before and I will say it again: we are looking at a new Obama. The people have given President Obama a mandate. Despite opposition, he has won re-election handedly. State of the Union addresses detail everything the president wants to do. The things mentioned in the address will not all be done. What we should be seeing a more progressive Obama. Just look at his stance on gay marriage. Four years ago, he was not in favor if it. Now he has changed his position. Some people called it a cynical political ploy, but it seems, like many other people, his perspective has changed.
I just have to say that it was on the most brilliant decisions to open the new Die Hard movie on Valentine’s Day. The fifth movie in the series is named Live Free or Die Hard. I got such a kick that where other people where going to romantic dinners, Bruce Willis was shooting his way through Russia. This definitely gave people an outlet if they were not feeling to do the normal Valentine’s Day routine.
The GOP is making the nomination of Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense difficult. In an unprecedented move the vote has been pushed back for 10 days. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham really does seem to have it out for Hagel. What is strange, is the fact that Hagel is also a Republican. It was Hagel’s comments on the Israel lobby ability that got him in hot water. Senator Graham will not let him live it down. Although the road to confirmation is proving to be difficult, Hagel should still become Secretary of State. I am confident in this. I also think he would prove to be a confident Secretary of State. He does have certain credentials, although his stance on drone strikes is troubling.
There are three big GOP hopefuls at the moment. They are Bobby Jindal, Marco Rubio, and Chris Christie. They are a diverse group of people, but they have one thing in common: they strive to be more rational and non-combative. That is not to say that they do not have far right views but they are not as polarizing as say Sarah Palin. Palin was someone who did not mind if she upset people. She did things her way and that was how she got famous. Her type of politics people may be tiring of at the moment. People want less in fighting in Washington. These men may change the face of the GOP or they may be forgotten as would-be reformers to the party.