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Not long ago I wrote a piece called “Hope for Change.” Based on his (eventual) reaction to the Undy Bomber, I thought it was possible that President Barack Obama (D-Chi) might have the potential to learn on the job. He might understand that his lofty objectives were not capable of standing up to the realities of the world. Many readers wrote to chide me for my optimism. After watching last night’s State of the Union address, I have to admit, they were right, I was wrong.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Obama’s address was the interplay behind him. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-SF) reprised her  role as Veronica, the Star Struck Cheerleader, popping up and down in gleeful applause. Next to her sat Vice President Joe Biden (D-Scranton), nodding sagely at the President’s gems. He kept it up with such metronomic consistency that at least one viewer wondered if it was Joe Biden Bobblehead night at the Capitol.

Occasionally Biden would get so caught up in his mission to provide the imprimatur of gravitas to his protege’s pronouncements that he would forget to spring enthusiastically to his feet. It was then that Pelosi would pause in her own leaping routines to lean over and remind the Veep of his duty. And then he would dutifully rise to join the cascading Hosannas.

Another highlight was Obama’s unexpected levity. For instance, after a good twenty minutes of reciting expensive new programs, sorry, investments in middle class American families, he shifted gears to speak sternly about deficits and the debt. Not unlike Inspector Renaud, he professed himself “Shocked, shocked to find we’re spending our grandchildren into fiscal slavery.”

That is why he is going to freeze Federal spending. Well, not everywhere in the budget. Actually, not even in half the budget. Okay, he’s going to freeze about 25% of the budget. And here he displayed his heretofore hidden comedic talent. He paused just long enough, and–wait for it–added, “starting next year.”

The Republican side of the hall erupted in spontaneous laughter. It didn’t last long, as they all quickly realized how indecorous it sounded, to be laughing at the President. Some might even see it as a show of disrespect. Then again, they could be forgiven their lapse in judgement, having sat through what was already the most partisan State of the Union address this observer had ever seen.

At one point Obama called out the Republicans for not applauding after his fanciful litany of tax breaks. “I thought I would have gotten some applause out of them,” he remarked. In fact, he should have been grateful nobody cried, “You lie, sir.”

Later in the speech, addressing that increasingly common question, “How’s that whole hope and change thing working out for you?” Obama fell back on his default position, that of campaigning against George W. Bush. He recited the litany of woes his administration confronted upon assuming office. He embellished the list, and went on so long that I felt like the little old lady in “Blazing Saddles.” I wanted to cry out, “Won’t somebody help that poor man?”

Then, upon finishing his jeremiad, Obama glanced at the Republicans, and smirked. I have  watched every one of Bush and Bill Clinton’s State of the Union addresses, that would be sixteen in all, and I have never seen the President smirk at the opposition. It gave the lie to his bi- or post-partisan protestations, and added gall to his frequent reiterations of that standard throughout the speech.

Space doesn’t permit any discussion of the foreign policy components of the speech. Then again, Obama only devoted seven minutes, out of more than 70, to the subject. Vice President Cheney was right. Our President is trying to pretend we are not at war.

After a remarkably unsuccessful first year, many observers were waiting for his “pivot,” when Obama would prove himself the pragmatist they thought he was. He did pivot, all right. He attempted to recast himself as the candidate for hope and change. His first term is more than 25% completed now, and serious observers can be forgiven for wondering when Obama is going to stop running for President.