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Pa. pols react to State of the Union

Even before President Obama had started delivering his first State of the Union address Wednesday night, elected officials and candidates for office were putting out statements in response.

Here is a sampling of the reactions.

Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7), candidate for Senate:

“I applaud the President tonight for recognizing that in 2008, Americans voted for change, not just of parties or policies, but for a fundamental change in politics and the way we do business in Washington. As he said in his speech, ‘We face a deficit of trust—deep and corrosive doubts about how Washington works that have been growing for years.’ Too many in Washington have strayed from principled compromise to a compromise of principles. Too many have forgotten that it is jobs for American workers that matter, not our own. Americans should be frustrated. Now we need to prove that government can restore accountability and transparency and work for the working families by making job growth and long-term financial security our top priorities. … President Obama delivered the right message with the right tone. Now results must happen to ensure accountability for what has been said.”

Steven Welch, Republican candidate in the 6th Congressional District:

“I am glad that President Obama is starting to recognize the importance of getting government spending under control, though he has only scratched the surface.  In order to truly stimulate job growth and help turn this economy around, the President needs to provide a clear plan that will balance the budget and reign in spending, and not based on increasing the size and scope of government. Before small businesses and entrepreneurs can create more quality jobs, they need to know what the rules of the road will be. President Obama should abandon any policies that would destroy jobs, which include ‘cap-and-trade’ and EFCA. He should focus the efforts of health care reform on reigning in costs, which will in turn lead to increased coverage. We simply need our government to ensure free markets, not interfere with them.”

Senator Arlen Specter:

“The President was right on target in making jobs the number one priority, with an emphasis on clean energy jobs. I liked his fighting spirit refusing to quit on health care reform. He struck a real chord with the American people saying it was imperative to deal with the deficit on spending and the deficit of trust. I was disappointed when the Republican leadership sat on their hands without applauding on his appeal for bipartisanship on some fundamental American values.”

Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6):

“We heard a slightly different tune from President Obama about the path for putting Americans back to work, but his biggest challenge will be getting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to sing along. I am hopeful that the President is serious about lowering taxes for small businesses and ending the big government spending sprees of the past year that have put our children and grandchildren deeper in debt.”

State Representative Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware), candidate in the 7th Congressional District:

“This is still the greatest country on earth and the President should call on the American people to come together and once again achieve great things. We should set aside petty partisan squabbles and train our national focus on creating jobs, stimulating growth and leading the world in innovative technologies like high-speed rail and clean energy. We can and should lead every other country in the world in the clean energy industry and we can and we should have the best, most advanced transportation system in the world. This kind of unified national commitment will not only create jobs, but it will inspire renewed confidence in the greatness of America and serve notice at home and abroad that the United States is still the strongest, most innovative and powerful community in the world.”

Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, Republican candidate in the 11th Congressional District:

“Is it any wonder we’re in the shape we are? I just watched the president and a room full of Washington politicians pat themselves on their backs for an hour. I’m not sure why they’re so happy. Like millions of Americans, I watched tonight’s speech looking for hope and solutions. What I saw was a pep rally and statements of the obvious. The House chamber was full of smiling politicians at the same time moms and dads are sitting around their kitchen tables worrying about how they’re going to pay their bills and make ends meet. I wasn’t hoping for a homerun tonight—just a good at bat. What we saw was a lazy fly ball. Tonight’s speech shows there is still a massive disconnect between the politicians in Washington and the residents of the 11th Congressional District. People here want smaller, more fiscally responsible government. They want to see meaningful reform enacted, not just hear lip service. They want to support programs that create new jobs, not new bureaucracy. They want common-sense solutions. They’re tired of the blank-check attitude of the career Washington politicians. More government programs and more spending are not the answer.”

Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11):

“Tonight, President Obama spoke openly to the American people about the struggles we face and how we can improve the lives for everyone going forward. Now is the time to work together to address the complex problems that reach way beyond the partisan bickering that has too often overwhelmed real debate on the issues. As the President said, we owe it to the American people to move forward, create more American jobs, reform Wall Street rules, control excessive spending, and turn our economy around. I very much agree. During the past two years, far too many Americans have personally experienced the devastating consequences of the economic crisis.  Since joining Congress, my top priorities have been job creation and economic development, particularly in Northeastern Pennsylvania. During these difficult times, I agree with the President that we need to enhance and expand efforts to generate more jobs.”

January 28, 2010 at 11:45 am

--pa2010.com Staff

Tags: Bryan Lentz, Joe Sestak, Lou Barletta, Steven Welch

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