Several Republican officials publicly expressed dissatisfaction with President Obama’s State of the Union address last night. But one congressman from Texas, Steve Stockman, was so disgusted with Obama’s speech that he actually left early.
Stockman said in a press release, “Tonight I left early after hearing how the President is further abusing his Constitutional powers. I could not bear to watch as he continued to cross the clearly-defined boundaries of the Constitutional separation of powers. Needless to say, I am deeply disappointed in the tone and content of tonight’s address.”
He continued, “After five years in office Obama refuses to admit his policies have failed. He instead demands we double down on the bitter class warfare that has left Americans jobless and hopeless.”
Stockman was especially disturbed by Obama’s promise to “act on his own,” without Congress. The Texas Senator said, “Obama has openly vowed to break his oath of office and begin enacting his own brand of law through executive decree. This is a wholesale violation of his oath of office and a disqualifying offense.”
Many of Stockman’s Republican colleagues shared his sentiment. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) said, “The president’s attempt to intimidate Congress by abusing executive power demonstrates a serious unwillingness to work with the coequal legislative branch of government.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) said, “Last night President Obama had the opportunity to answer critical questions that millions of Americans are asking all around the country, but he didn’t, which is precisely why so many Americans have lost trust in this President.”
Many Democrats, on the other hand, had positive responses to Obama’s State of the Union address.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) said, “President Obama spoke directly to the highest aspirations of the American people by defining a vision of opportunity and optimism for our future. His initiatives will build an economy that works for everyone.”
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