Tennessee and Georgia government officials, activists and candidates had plenty to say following President Barack Obama’s State of the Union addressWednesday. Here’s how some of them responded:
* U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.: “My hope is that the president now will focus on jobs, debt, and terror. And it would suit me fine if he would stop right there until he has all three headed in the right direction.”
* U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.: “I had hoped President Obama would moderate his policies and his rhetoric, and while certainly there were aspects of the speech I agreed with, it didn’t seem to me that he’d learned a great deal from the past year.”
* U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.: “I am pleased to hear the president say he is going to do whatever is necessary to help create jobs and reinvigorate the economy. It’s pretty obvious the stimulus package did not help reduce unemployment, so we need to go in another direction.”
* U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.: “I’m glad the president has finally realized that spending is a problem. The only problem with freezing it at current levels is it includes all the money that’s been spent for the stimulus.”
* U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn.: “The public rightfully has major concerns with the rapid growth of government. We should work to implement responsible policies that decrease our national debt and properly manage the entire federal budget, including mandatory and entitlement programs, and limit our debt in future years.”
* U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn.: “Over the course of the year it’s imperative that we focus our attention on issues of job creation and reining in the federal debt.”
* Justin Wilkins, Tennessee state director for Organizing for America: “President Obama outlined a clear path forward for America that supports the needs of Main Street in the short-term, while setting our families and communities up for sustained and long-term success.”
* Chuck Fleischmann, GOP candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District: “I wondered why the President isn’t listening to the American people. They don’t want the government involved in every part of their life.”
* Robin Smith, GOP candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District: “Sadly, President Obama’s call for a restoration of the public trust and government credibility rings hollow. The priorities identified in his presidential campaign and his first year, health care reform and his stimulus, have resulted in backroom deals and political payoffs for votes.”
twitter updates
Twitter is a social networking tool politicians often use to send updates to supporters. Here’s what some local and state candidates and officials were saying this week.
* Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, GOP candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, Tuesday: “Typical big-spending politicians of both parties have bankrupted our country. Now we need non-typical, independent minded leaders to fix it.”
* Art Rhodes, GOP candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, Wednesday: “Mr. Obama is in perpetual campaign mode. Seems only comfortable campaigning. We need leadership. Time to govern, not campaign.”
Compiled by staff writer Matt Wilson
E-mail Matt Wilson at mwilson@timesfreepress.com