So here it is. The obligatory post-State of the Union rebuttal. Not really. I'm just going to give my thoughts on Obama's speech.

Whenever Obama has an audience to connect with, he performs considerably better, and Tuesday was no exception. In fact, about 90% of Americans reacted favorably to his speech. But his oratory skills are usually superb, so there isn't anything of import there.

The meat of Obama's address was interesting. Obviously, he is supposed to reassure the nation that "the state of the union is strong!" but Obama interestingly also thoroughly mentioned all the areas in which the US is lacking. He extensively discussed South Korea and China's success, to the point where I was feeling self conscious. We can't be South Korea, Mr. President! Well, maybe we could be, if another country were financing our military, leaving us with time and money to improve healthcare, education, etc....Hmmmm....

(See, the ironic part is that the US takes care of South Korea's military interests.)

But! Obama brought it back by encouraging American's that this is merely our "Sputnik moment" - if we remain innovative and diligent we can Win The Future! That sounds like a longer slogan than "Hope" or "Change", so let's just give that an acronym. Oh...WTF....that's, um, awkward.

Nevertheless, Obama got me all excited with his plans for the future, so we can win it. There's nothing America loves more than winning things. Like fattest nation! Check, meet bank. So, what are we going to do to win the latest challenge? Time machines? Spaceships to Pluto? Money tress?

Internet. And cars. And trains! Marginally faster ones.

Is it comparable to Kennedy's speech? A true Sputnik moment? No. But then again, America doesn't have the funds to win the future with Deloreans or Spaceships. So Obama is being pragmatic. I get it. It doesn't mean I'm not disappointed, but I get it.

So all these amazing future-winning ideas are bopping around, but there were a few issues in Obama's speech that didn't make an appearance. Gun control, for example, which is a salient issue post-Tucson shootings. Or global warming. If nature kills us in hot-blooded revenge, I guess it doesn't matter if 80% of the population has amazing internet connection. But, if we could all just leave on a spaceship....

All in all, a safe and strong speech. Not complete, not extremely inspiring, but it all seemed rather doable. At least the Democrats and the Republicans were sitting together! How far we've come...