SOTU: Interesting, For Once

(UPI photo)

For the record I thought that President Trump's State of the Union speech was pretty good.

(I'm trying to separate judgment of his "speechifying" from my views on his policies, a separation which is difficult. Political partisans always say the speech was good or bad depending on whether their guy is in office, but I didn't vote for him or his Democratic opponent).

Ladies in white (Vox photo)

The SOTU wasn't boring to these ears because it brought attention to positive information that I had forgotten or never did know. Good news is generally given little coverage anyway, and that tendency is more pronounced with this President. I didn't mind his chest-thumping about the growing economy, higher wages, low unemployment, especially among minorities, booming energy production, and tax and regulatory reform.

He acknowledged thorny topics (tariffs, the border) by stating his position, but at least he didn't avoid controversy as some politicians are wont to do. He didn't talk about fighting global warming climate change, the number one priority of the opposition.

But the main reason that the SOTU was of interest was the potential for drama. While the government was "shut down" in January, Speaker Nancy Pelosi had disinvited the President from having the address in the House chambers. Would President Trump deliver red meat to his base? Would the House Democrats show how much they loathed him?

Everyone behaved civilly, so, like the Academy Awards, we were left to comment on what the women wore.

For the record I don't care what their politics are, when women dress up I like it.