There's only one president.

Something tells me that the bully pulpit isn't what it used to be. The president is only one voice in the media din we live in these days. He's drowned out by pundits, commentators, editorial writers, reporters and bloggers, even before he's had a chance to say a word. His own press secretary seems to have a louder voice. Then there are the rest of the politicians, who throw around sound bites like they were million dollar earmarks, each one pontificating more pompously than the last.

I didn't watch or listen to the SOTU. These days, I'd prefer that he just put it in writing and sent it up to the hill. Why give the hyenas a sound byte to help them lead into their criticisms. Forget the Kabuki dance of the teleprompter, who applauds first and for how long and who's grimacing or stone-faced. None of it means anything. The sound and the fury is in the streets of Baghdad.