Every time the governor delivers a State of the State or inaugural or budget address, here's the rub when it comes to seeking reaction: In the minutes immediately following the speech, nobody's had time to figure out exactly how they feel.
That's why House Speaker Gaye Symington delivered a pre-written speech of her own immediately afterward. That's why the opposition party in Washington does the same thing after a State of the Union.
Several people I talked to right after Douglas' speech weren't quite sure what to say. Not only was it too soon, but he hadn't said anything particularly outrageous or particularly awesome. Figuring out how you feel about the middle ground between those extremes is not always simple.
A day later, here's what Symington said of Douglas' address: "I found a number of aspects of his address yesterday very favorable."
Indeed, it seemed Douglas was trying hard not to tick anybody off. He gave a couple nods to climate change, lest anybody try to accuse him of not caring. He said he'd work with the Legislature on health care, housing. His new ideas - housing incentives for condos on the upper floors of downtown buildings, for example - were not earth-shattering but they were also not objectionable.
It makes one wonder - is this positioning for the November election? He's the governor who works with the Legislature. I know, some people will always be trying to look at everything through that lens.
- Terri Hallenbeck
