State of the Union: Commando-In-Chief

"Though obstructionists threaten to ruin it,
Those who know what they say don't impugn it:
When I sound the attack,
Our economy's back
Like the Navy SEAL Bin Laden unit."

US Pres. Barack Obama, seeking to tie his military successes to hopeful signs in the economy, gave his economic-themed State of the Union address a military motif. The speech began with a salute to returning Iraqi war veterans, and ended with a tribute to the amazing teamwork of the Navy seal unit that killed Osama bin Laden. These twin martial references helped the president emphasize two key points: first, that there is much on which the President and Congress can work together as a team for the good of the American people; second, that there is much that I, as Commander-in-Chief, can order without you.

Taking Stock

The President paused to take stock
After giving the world a great shock;
"We've gotten," said he,
"Our arch-enemy,
After pulling the troops from Iraq."

US President Barack Obama, on the CBS 60 Minutes program Sunday evening, reminded interviewer Steve Kroft that he came into office promising to draw troops and materiel from Iraq not in order to wage peace, but rather to finish the job against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It's Still the Economy

The brass of the vict'ry parade
To the background may easily fade;
As Bill Clinton could tell 'em,
The economy's realm
'Swhere political fortunes are made.  

From celebratory to somber, the nation is swept up in reactions to the death of Bin Laden at the hands of US Navy SEALs.  Meanwhile, the political world tries to sort out what it all means for the 2012 Presidential election.  Though Republicans cede the day to President Barack Obama, they are mindful of the short-lived popularity of President George Bush (the elder) following his lightning victory in the 1991 Gulf War.  In the downturn of 1992, the little-known governor of Arkansas realized that elections are decided by "the economy, stupid," and Bill Clinton went on to beat the war hero incumbent.

Change

A pol had to cancel his plan
For the banner beneath which he ran,
Which read that "Obama
Cannot find Osama,"
When now it appears: Yes, he can.  

The death of Osama bin Laden, more than nine years after the 9/11 attacks, represents a watershed moment in US history.  Among other things, it will certainly shift the ground in the emerging 2012 Presidential race; how many political strategies were being torn up and written anew on Sunday evening at 11:00?