OBAMA'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS

10:10 pm. It's over. I'll give him this: Obama is a good speaker, and has good speechwriters. Nevertheless, I'm left with the feeling of "So?" I heard nothing specific, no answers.

9:57 pm. He's speaking of deficit reduction now. The usual; reduce fraud, waste, and abuse, kill programs that don't work. Plus a reduction in defense spending from bringing troops home from Iraq. Plus Medicare - why waste money on Medicare when those old folks are just going to die?

Interesting ... Obama mentioned Social Security momentarily. Is the "third rail" finally touchable?

9:48 pm. We will provide competitive education for every child from birth until entering the workplace (read as Government-provided salt mine).

9:45 pm. Here comes the Nanny State -- big investment in preventive medicine. The health nannies are going to love dictating what we eat, how we exercise, etc.

9:40 pm. Carbon caps? "We invented the automobile; we can't walk away from it." You've got to be kidding. With $5.00 gasoline, we'll have to walk away.

9:30 pm. Energy, health care and education. Obama's priorities. I agree with the first two (but differ on "how"); I strongly disagree with the third.

9:34 pm. "I will be careful with your money - not a penny for the Wall Street executives." But Harry Reid will get his monorail to Las Vegas.

9:32 pm. No more fancy jets or new drapes for the Wall Street CEOs. Will Air Force One be grounded too?

9:25 pm. We're told that for years we've avoided doing anything, and now - right NOW! - is the time to do something. OK, well, for at least the last four years, what have the Democrats been doing? Does obstruction sound familiar?

9:21 pm. "Take responsibility once more." If only ... my questions is how "we take responsibility once more" when the Government won't let us.

9:20 pm. He's begun to speak. My initial impression was the smirk. Going to be hard to overcome as he continues.

9:15 pm. The President has arrived.

9:07 pm. Hillary Clinton walked over to speak to Justice Ginsberg. I didn't see Justice Ginsberg arrive - she looks frail.

8:55 pm. It's about to begin. The congresscritters are milling about waiting for the President to be announced.

8:50 pm. My thoughts exactly. From Dennis Kneale at CNBC:

One month later a queasy sense of dread emerges whenever he takes the lectern. As our new president prepares to address both houses of Congress at 9 p.m. eastern, the markets and investors brace for his next damaging soundbite.

Thanks to Dr. Helen.

8:30 pm. It's about a half-hour until the President speaks to Congress and us. On Fox News, Bill O'Reilly and Alan Colmes are busy trying to set expectations. My feeling is that I hope, but am not hopeful. I simply do not believe the Democrat's stimulus plan can possibly work; the best outcome will be that it does no damage.