Who Woulda Thought It?

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

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We have just come through one of those "Who woulda thought it?" weeks.

Who woulda thought that, way back when Barack Obama began his campaign for president, that his first State of the Union speak would hardly mention Iraq?

Who woulda thought that the state of the nation's economy would be so bad, the president wouldn't even call it a "State of the Union" speech, just so he wouldn't have to finish the sentence that begins, "The State
of the Union is ..."?

Who woulda thought the Republican Party would be laying some of the blame for the bad economy off on their recently departed leader? I guess that's what GOP stalwart Newt Gingrich was doing when he talked to me and others this week about what he labeled "the failed Bush-Obama big-spending strategy."

Who woulda thought that when President Obama (who campaigned to bring the troops home from Iraq) announced his withdrawal plan, that it would be the Republicans who liked it and the Democrats who didn't?

And who, for that matter, woulda thought that, when the withdrawal was announced, that it would not be the lead story on the evening news? Not only was it not the lead, two or three stories about the
bad economy came ahead of it - nor did it get above the fold in
many newspapers.

Yes, Barack Obama campaigned on change, but I doubt he expected a lot of that.

Who woulda thought?

[stevenmillio]

President Obama's plans for repairing the economy, health care, Iraq and a dozen other issues are not perfect. They may require a great deal of tweeking before they can be adopted by the Congress and signed by the President. But what is different about this administration is that they are DOING something constructive. They do not have all the answer because no one does. But they are making a serious effort at solving complex problems created by Bush and Cheney. Let us lend a hand to those who now labor in the vineyard of government and do what we can to revive our nation. The naysaing Republicans have nothing to offer beyond shouts of "no" and basket upon basket of sour grapes!

[vincan-2009]

America surprised me when they were determined to have a silver-spoon-in-his-mouth lying pretend cowboy republican in office even after he began leading our country downward economically and corruptly without end. I has already heard on TV that President Obama was not in office long enough to give a State of the Union speech. It will take a long time for President Obama to get so many Bush policies reversed. Thankfully he is doing just that.

[Ntvamn]

The root of the problem is, that I have to have a drug test to make money to give to the government as taxes, why do not the people who receive the money as welfare, not have to take a drug test to get the money. That would solve a lot of the drug problems. If you want welfare, you have to submit to random drug tests!!!

[jaynelmabus]

I usually enjoy Mr. Schieffer's commentary, but I must take exception to his comment regarding President Obama's recent speech to the joint session of Congress this past week. Mr. Schieffer has so much experience and knowledge, I am surprised that this slipped past him. It is my understanding that since 1989 a new president may give a speech to the joint session of Congress, but because they have been in office only for a month, the speech is not referred to as a State of the Union address.

Mr. Shieffer's comment was not only inaccurate, but a little snarky as well.

[koko98-2009]

Just goes to show you Bob, in this crazy country anything can and will happen.

[creeper00]

Who woulda thought that American voters were gullible enough to elect an inexperienced, messianic neophyte to the presidency?

[cbsantispin]

It looks like Mexico is countering the U.S. complaint of drugs coming over the Mexican border with Mexican complaints of U.S. firearms coming over their border, in which case we have a stalemate and its in both Mexico's and the U.S.'s interest to work together to resolve this. Mexico is a U.S. ally and trading partner, there really is no need to make Mexico an enemy.

[dschrick]

I heard the question this morning on Face The Nation on Mexico and its unrest. I'd like to ask why no political figure is willing to say the unrest is coused by our importing drugs from south of the border. I want every broadcaster to have every public figure they interview to comment on our involvment. We all know what POGO said.
D. S.