GOP Response to Obama on Bipartisanship: "Really?"
The Republican Party's response: Really?
The research department of the Republican National Committee provided live-blogged responses to Mr. Obama's speech, and from the start, criticized the president's ability to reach across the aisle.
Jeff Berkowitz, the RNC's Research Director, blogged an incredulous "Really?" after quoting the president about fear and division.
Some have suggested that, in the wake of the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Senate in Massachusetts, Mr. Obama and other Democrats could try to govern more from the center. Yet when asked by a reader of the live-blog whether Mr. Obama would "distance himself from the extreme left in his speech," Matt Moon, deputy research director at the RNC, countered that he may, in fact, move even farther left.
"While he's promised to always keep his door open, he's rebuffed Republican lawmakers time and time again," Moon wrote. "If he continues to ignore common-sense, Republican ideas to create jobs and grow the economy, there's only one direction he can go in ... and that's to his left."
Many progressive policy advocates would be pleased to see Mr. Obama do just that. However, the Democrats' liberal base has grown restless with the president, as he has failed to deliver yet on health care reform or other campaign promises like the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
"Plenty of Democrats are 'O-Bandoning Ship,'" Moon blogged.
More Coverage of Obama's State of the Union:
Obama Vows to Fight for Jobs
Full Text of Obama's Speech
Bob McDonnell: The Government Is "Trying to Do Too Much"
Poll: 83% of Viewers Approve of Obama's Plans
Obama Upbeat as He Seeks to Reset Presidency
Obama Priorities Revealed in State of the Union Speech
Dem, GOP Leaders Spar Over Obama's Community Banks Plan
Photos: The State of the Union
Full Video of Obama's State of the Union
Katie Couric's Webcast: Analysis and Interviews
Analysis: Bob Schieffer and Jeff Greenfield
Special Report: Obama's 2010 State of the Union
