Anyone who is a fan of the West Wing TV show should remember an episode in Season 1, called "The Crackpots and These Women", where Leo refers to President Andrew Jackson who put a big block of cheese in the White House for anyone who wanted it. In the TV drama special interest groups are given access to senior staff to press their causes.
The real White House has taken this as inspiration and created their own "Big Block of Cheese Day"; this time on the internet. Specifically they are devoting a day after the State of the Union on 20th January for members of the Obama administration to answer questions on line about issues raised in the set-piece speech.
For G and P students studying Unit 4C this is useful because it is a good example of the President's administration communicating their ideas with the public. It is also a good example of when the President is trying to press his agenda in the media using the "bully pulpit" of the State of the Union.
Here is the video from the White House with a few familiar faces thrown in:
Showing posts with label State of the Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label State of the Union. Show all posts
Monday, 19 January 2015
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
State of the Union 2014
Just because I can, here is a video of some highlights from the State of the Union address 2014:
Essential viewing for any G and P student contemplating the power of the US president - especially as he approaches the Mid-terms and the final quarter of his presidency when he will be a "lame duck". The BBC's analysis can be found here.
The Washington Post analyses here, leading with the pledge that Obama will act, without Congress if necessary, to help alleviate inequality in the USA. G and P students should be aware of the methods the President would be likely to use - Executive Orders and directing the relevant departments.
Students should also not forget the Clinton-era description of these powers as "Stroke of the pen, law of the land. Kinda cool".
The threat by the President to go it alone without Congress is also a reflection on Congress' willingness to act. G and P students could also use this to help analyse whether Congress is effective.
The complete Address can be found below, courtesy of PBS and Youtube.
Essential viewing for any G and P student contemplating the power of the US president - especially as he approaches the Mid-terms and the final quarter of his presidency when he will be a "lame duck". The BBC's analysis can be found here.
The Washington Post analyses here, leading with the pledge that Obama will act, without Congress if necessary, to help alleviate inequality in the USA. G and P students should be aware of the methods the President would be likely to use - Executive Orders and directing the relevant departments.
Students should also not forget the Clinton-era description of these powers as "Stroke of the pen, law of the land. Kinda cool".
The threat by the President to go it alone without Congress is also a reflection on Congress' willingness to act. G and P students could also use this to help analyse whether Congress is effective.
The complete Address can be found below, courtesy of PBS and Youtube.
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