Michigan Politicians React To Obama Speech
(Washington D.C.-WWJ) Members of Michigan's congressional delegation have weighed in on President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night.
As expected, Democrats liked it better than Republicans, but even GOP lawmakers took some encouragement from the tone of Mr. Obama's remarks.
Republican Representative Candice Miller of Harrison Township hopes "the president understands we cannot continue to borrow and spend money because our current debt and level of spending is completely unsustainable."
Congressman Mike Rogers, Brighton Republican, said Mr. Obama "hit the right tone on proposing a spending freeze," though Rogers wants federal spending rolled back to 2008 levels.
Senator Carl Levin, a Democrat, called the speech "a compelling and upbeat call to bipartisan action. I applaud the president's call for a more civil and bipartisan atmosphere in Washington."
And Democratic Representative John Dingell, the dean of House lawmakers, said "America has gone through tough times, but under President Obama's leadership, America is gaining strength and our economy is improving."
Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow had this to say:
"I was very grateful that he talked about manufacturing and building things in America. His message really was tailor-made for what we do in Michigan," Stabenow told WWJ Newsradio 950 following the president's speech.
Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon was also in the audience listening to the president's speech.
Napoleon, a staunch Democrat, sat alongside Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, a staunch Republican.
Napoleon told WWJ Newsradio 950 this could be the beginning of something new taking place during speeches such as this one.
"I was a guest of Republican Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, and I am clearly a staunch Democrat. And, so ... I saw it firsthand, I was a participant and I looked around the House chamber and saw that, it was a great sight to see," Napoleon said. Hopefully, it will transcend as the president said, not just tonight, but they will continue to do that, working together."
Napoleon added that he thought the president was right on target with his goals and aspirations for the nation.
(Copyright 2011 WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press Contributed To This Story)
