State of the Union - The Musical!Obama Superstar Edition

SOTU The Musical!
Obama Superstar

Welcome to the Dividist's annual coverage of the Presidential Address to Congress - aka State of the Union - The Musical!

In 2007, as a blogging infant, the Dividist despaired at finding a unique approach to the SOTU when so many other bloggers would be traversing the same ground. The answer came from Bob Woodward. I asked Bob in an on-line Washington Post forum whether the SOTU had any real relevance. He responded by saying it was "mostly theater." Genius. That was the answer. What better way to frame the SOTU, media and blog reactions than within the lyrics of a Broadway show tune?

The game is to find blog posts, news stories and commentary that can be vaguely referenced in the lines of the song and link them to the lyrics.

In 2007 it was "Comedy Tonight" from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In 2008 it was the 1966 hit "Georgy Girl Boy". For 2009, we welcomed President Obama with "Razzle Dazzle" from the musical Chicago. In 2010, the man behind the curtain was revealed in - The Wizard of Oz. We mostly skipped 2011, but in 2012 with a divided government and the President and Congress erecting barricades against the mobs wielding pitchforks and torches before an epic electoral street fight,  we were drawn to Les Miserables and "Do you hear the people sing?"

The election is over. The people have spoken.  The country has united behind the concept of divided government and the status quo, handing the President an overwhelming 52% mandate for no change. 

So, for this year's performance we offer a tribute to our progressive friends as they gaze lovingly at President Obama Superstar and think "I don't know how to love him".

We'll post the lyrics now, then update with links to live-bloggers, references, analysis and reviews before, during and after the speech. It'll be over when we get tired of the speech or too drunk to type.

The Dividist welcomes any and all suggested links, for any and all lines anywhere in the lyric (or dialog), from any who accidentally stumble across this post, at any time.

To help get you into the spirit. Music up... Raise the Curtain...

"I Don't Know How to Love Him"

From  - Jesus Christ Superstar

I don't know how to love him.

What to do, how to move him.

I've been changed, yes really changed.

In these past few days, when I've seen myself,

I seem like someone else.

I don't know how to take this.

I don't see why he moves me.

He's a man. He's just a man.

And I've had so many men before,

In very many ways,

He's just one more.

Should I bring him down?

Should I scream and shout?

Should I speak of love,

Let my feelings out?

I never thought I'd come to this.

What's it all about?

Don't you think it's rather funny,

I should be in this position.

I'm the one who's always been

So calm, so cool, no lover's fool,

Running every show.

He scares me so.

I never thought I'd come to this.

What's it all about?

Yet, if he said he loved me,

I'd be lost. I'd be frightened.

I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope.

I'd turn my head. I'd back away.

I wouldn't want to know.

He scares me so.

I want him so.

I love him so.

Divided and Balanced.

FOUR MORE YEARS!