WASHINGTON -- Alaska's all-Republican congressional delegation found a few things to like but mostly had complaints and concerns with President Barack Obama's last State of the Union speech Tuesday night. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan spoke in telephone interviews; Rep. Don Young issued a prepared statement and filmed a video for release from his office.
From Sen. Lisa Murkowski:
The good
One mention that sparked joy for Murkowski was Obama's mention of advancing clean energy technology — something she said brought her to her feet with applause. Murkowski said she hoped Obama's challenge to the country to lead on energy technology would translate to support for her Energy Policy Modernization Act, which is due for a vote in the Senate soon.
Murkowski supported Obama's charge to move forward on cancer research, and said the president would have an opportunity to put "his money where his mouth is in support for research" with his upcoming budget proposal.
And Murkowski supported Obama's message on religious freedom and not judging all Muslims by the yardstick of the so-called Islamic State. "I think it was an important message, and I think he delivered it in a way that was not in your face or offensive," Murkowski said. "I was sitting next to (presidential candidate Sen.) Marco Rubio (R-Florida). He certainly seemed to agree with the message," Murkowski said.
Alaska's senior senator said Obama seemed more at ease than in past speeches — as if a weight was off his shoulder, and she noted that he landed a few more jokes than usual.
One that got a laugh:
"It's not much of a stretch to say that some of the only people in America who are going to work the same job, in the same place, with a health and retirement package, for 30 years, are sitting in this chamber."
The bad
Murkowski was particularly displeased with Obama's characterization of the state of global security, "saying we are better and stronger and more feared and respected."
"The world is not a safer place. What you are speaking to is not reality," Murkowski said.
When "it came to the national security aspects of" the speech, "that really struck out," she said.
Murkowski also took issue with Obama's charge to legislators to work in a more bipartisan fashion.
"I pride myself in working across the aisle," she said. But the Obama administration has been less cooperative, she charged.
It "has to go both ways … the president failed to heed his own words … The administration has got to work with the Congress and he failed to acknowledge that he too has got to be part of that solution," she said.
The meh
Murkowski said she felt like the president missed a few easy opportunities for applause, like never introducing the first lady — "everybody regardless of your party stands and applauds the first lady," she said. And she noted that he didn't refer to any of the nearly two-dozen guests sitting in the first lady's box, including an Alaskan.
And Murkowski didn't think Obama's proposal to provide students with two free years of community college had any legs. Congress is "not going to see that in a budget that is going to be supported," she said.
Murkowski also noted a "lukewarm" response to supporting Obama's trade authority bid. She noted that only the members of the president's cabinet stood to applaud. "That was a little awkward," she said.
From Sen. Dan Sullivan:
The good
Sullivan said he appreciated much of what the president had to say about optimism, hardworking Americans and the spirit of cooperation (though he said he has his doubts).
The big moment of the night for Sullivan was Obama's statement that "there are outdated regulations that need to be changed, and there's red tape that needs to be cut." Sullivan declared it "the biggest applause line of the night" in the chamber — "Democrats and Republicans all jumped to their feet on that," he said, adding that he'd see if he could get the White House on board with his regulatory reform bill.
Sullivan also was supportive of Obama's suggestion of more cancer research. "I've always said that there's certainly a role for basic research that is conducted by the federal government. I actually think that's an important role of the federal government — just like I think spending on infrastructure is an important role of the federal government," he said.
Sullivan said he was also pleased to hear the president offer to work with Congress on criminal justice reform and on dealing with prescription drug and heroin addiction epidemics around the country.
"But the details are obviously important," he said about each of those issues.
The bad
Sullivan noted major disappointment on two main themes of Obama's speech: economy and defense.
"I don't think he leveled with the American people with Alaskans just about what some of the challenges are that we face," Sullivan said.
While Obama was "bragging about the state of the U.S. economy," Sullivan argued that recovery has been slow and the gross domestic product is not rising as fast as he'd like. "You know, we have almost 16 million Americans who are out of work. And to me, a big reason for that is we're over regulating the economy" and have too much debt, Sullivan said.
On national security, Sullivan called Obama "almost borderline delusional" regarding threats to the U.S. "I think almost anyone would agree that the world is a more dangerous place now than when president Obama came into office," Sullivan said, decrying plans to draw down the size of the U.S. military.
Sullivan also took issue with the president's call to bipartisanship, calling it "a little ironic" given Obama's history of working around Congress when he can't garner agreement. "So I took with a grain of salt what the president was saying about bipartisanship simply because it's a two-way street and when he says 'my way or the highway' that's not an example of bipartisanship," Sullivan said.
The meh
Like Murkowski, Sullivan wasn't too impressed with plans for free community college — a policy he said "might sound good" but is not free. "I think educating our most important resource, which is our children, and having affordable approaches to college is critically important," but the plan is short on details, he said.
Sullivan said he is undecided on trade authority that Obama pushed in the speech, saying he is currently meeting with administration officials and "going over that agreement with a fine tooth comb."
From Rep. Don Young:
Young released a statement following the speech heavy on criticism, arguing that the president acts like a "king" with power worth more than Congress.
Young called it one of the "most discouraging speeches I've listened to in the State of the Union addresses." He called it a "lecture of his vision," and countered Obama's assertion that those — such as Young — who aren't on board with climate change science will be left behind.
"He sort of said because we don't follow his climate change, we're wrong. We don't follow Obamacare, we're wrong. Truthfully, I think we're right," Young said.
"What he tried to do tonight was convince the American people that he was right — don't question him, he is after all the monarch," Young said, adding that he does not think the nation is "any freer" under this president.