Quick Points

A few random thoughts reflecting on President Obama's speech last night:

- His call to Americans not to drop out of high school and his recognition that education begins in the home were welcome and inspiring;

- His recognition that the education establishment needs reform was interesting (though he didn't go far enough);

- His desire to have America lead the world in college graduation was intriguing (though he didn't mention that higher ed also needs revamping);

- His call for bigger financial commitments to bailouts, health care, and education may stimulate government and the Democratic Party but will do little to stimulate the economy;

- His simultaneous attempt to shovel money out the door while posing as a deficit hawk gave me a case of political whiplash;

- His cursory attention to matters of national security in our post-9/11 world was worrisome;

- His desire to do many big things at once is testament to his self-confidence (some might say "hubris"); he would probably do better to focus on one or two and get them right.

One more point:

- His promise not to raise taxes on anyone except the upper 2 percent to pay for this New New Deal is not at all credible.

And finally:

- His determination, during a painful recession, to impose a cap-and-trade scheme on American business for a dubious global-warming benefit belies his claim that fixing the economy is his top priority.