The MCLA Beacon 2/4/10 Story 2

Obama's State of the Union; professors react.
By Andrew Roiter
Senior News Editor

On Wednesday, Jan. 27, President Barack Obama began his State of the Union speech by saying, “Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the president shall give to Congress information about the state of our union. For 220 years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty.” This conventional opening preceded what many considered to be a very unconventional speech.

At least two MCLA professors were among the 48 million people who tuned into the President’s State of the Union Address. Professors Petra Hejnova and Robert Bence of the political science department had unique but somewhat similar views on the speech.

“I thought it was a well constructed, effectively delivered speech,” Bence said, “he had some of that old campaign flare again.” Professor Hejnova had similar praise for the speech, “Especially if you compare it to the Virginia governor’s response, I think it was a powerful speech. Will it be remembered in 50 years? Probably not. But it was a good speech.” One of the things that both Hejnova and Bence were surprised by was the way that the President delivered his speech.

“On one hand he seemed to hold out a carrot, but he showed that he still has the stick,” Bence said in reference to the somewhat combative nature of his speech.

Hejnova said, “I was pretty surprised at his form. And directly addressing the Supreme Court was a big surprise.”


Hejnova made a point about one of Obama’s statements in the speech that changed its meaning. “He said that by August we would remove all combat troops from Iraq. Not all troops, combat troops.” She then compared it to Obama’s promise to begin removing troops from Afghanistan in 2011, making reference to the fact that he did not say how many troops would be removed and when.

Both professors agreed that for MCLA students the most important promises made were the one’s regarding student debt forgiveness, tax credits for college students and job creation.

For the complete transcript of Obama’s address, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/remarks-of-president-barack-obama-address-to-joint-session-of-congress/.