| What did you think? |
| Excellent |
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18% |
[ 2 ] |
| Good |
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27% |
[ 3 ] |
| It was OK |
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27% |
[ 3 ] |
| Bad |
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27% |
[ 3 ] |
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| Total Votes : 11 |
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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 Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:07 am State of the Union |
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| Quote: | Bush seeks State of the Union bounce
President 'upbeat,' set to focus on kitchen-table issues
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush will attempt to revive his presidency with an "upbeat" State of the Union address that stresses kitchen-table issues such as energy and health care, according to his spokesman.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said Tuesday night's speech will be "optimistic and confident," centering around four new proposals.
McClellan would not disclose details -- but at a Cabinet meeting Monday morning, Bush said viewers can expect to hear him discuss health care, energy and education.
"I'm looking forward to speaking to the country," he said. "We got a lot to be proud of. We got a lot of work to do."
Presidential adviser Dan Bartlett said Bush will emphasize the need to "maintain our economic leadership" in an increasingly globalized age.
"Oftentimes, people look at these challenges and only see those challenges," Bartlett said. "The president sees opportunities, and the history of our country shows that America always does best when we are shaping the events of the world, not being shaped by them."
McClellan said Bush also will outline "the progress we're making in the global war on terrorism," the diplomatic standoff with Iran over its nuclear program and "the advance of freedom in the world."
Aides said Bush will propose long-term plans to promote alternative energy sources and take on an issue his critics say he has largely ignored for five years -- the rising cost of health care.
Among the items Bush will put forward, they said, are plans to expand tax deductions for medical expenses and allowing people to put more money in tax-deductible health savings accounts, a longstanding conservative idea.
"Big companies have all the big tax advantages and breaks to provide health care," Bartlett said. "But if you are mom and pop, they don't enjoy those same types of advantages, and they should."
Rough year
Bush said he is "upbeat" about the future, "so long as we're willing to lead." But the speech, set for 9 p.m. ET Tuesday, comes after a rough year for the president.
Support for the war in Iraq dropped, despite much-touted elections there, as American casualties climbed. A criminal investigation into the 2003 leak of a CIA agent's identity reached the White House, resulting in the indictment of the top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney. One of Bush's Supreme Court nominees, longtime aide Harriet Miers, had to withdraw amid complaints from the president's conservative allies.
The administration's response to Hurricane Katrina was heavily criticized, fueling a slump in his approval ratings. And the signature issue of last year's State of the Union -- a wide-ranging overhaul of Social Security -- bombed in the polls, leading Bush to largely abandon the plan.
CNN/USA Today/Gallup polls have placed Bush's approval rating at 43 percent since mid-December.
David Gergen, a former adviser to presidents of both parties, said Bush is heading into Tuesday's speech with much to prove to the American public.
"Despite the strength of the economy, most people are feeling pressed," Gergen said. "And despite the president's upbeat view toward Iraq, most people are feeling it's not going well. So I think the danger is that he overstates his optimism, that he's not in touch with these underlying currents." (Watch a State of the Union forecast -- 3:24)
In addition, Republican control of Congress will be at stake in November's midterm elections. Democrats have been using the scandal surrounding high-powered lobbyist Jack Abramoff, an associate of several top GOP figures, to hammer at what they call a "culture of corruption" on Capitol Hill.
Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said Tuesday's speech will be "a credibility test" for the president.
"Will he acknowledge the real state of our union and offer to take our country down a path that unites us and makes us stronger, or will he give us more of the same empty promises and partisanship that have weakened our country and divided Americans for the last five years?" Reid said.
McClellan said Bush wants to work with members of both parties to "elevate the tone" in Washington, "but it requires both parties reaching out to one another."
Bush also will continue his calls for Congress to renew the anti-terrorist USA Patriot Act and make permanent the 2001 tax cuts, which McClellan said have built the foundation of an economic recovery.
McClellan argued that those tax cuts have brought in more revenue, and he blamed the rising federal deficit -- currently projected at $337 billion -- on "out-of-control spending" by Congress.
Reid expressed a different view Monday.
"The president squandered the strongest economy in the history of this country with reckless spending and irresponsible tax breaks for special interests and multimillionaires," he said.
Some congressional Republicans have also balked at the size of the deficits, particularly with $85 million already committed to reconstruction efforts after Katrina.
Bush, who never has vetoed a spending bill, will insist that the government "continue to meet our highest priorities" but will call for spending restraint elsewhere, McClellan said.
Bush will follow up Tuesday's address with a series of speeches in February, McClellan said.
Those speeches will be delivered in Dallas, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee.; the Minneapolis suburb of Maplewood, Minnesota; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
CNN's Dana Bash contributed to this report.
Find this article at:
http://us.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/30/bush.sotu/index.html |
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:09 pm |
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I know I'm looking forward to it a good deal.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Cathexis
The Angel of Avalon
Joined: 26 Dec 2001
Posts: 5901
Location: ~~ Where Dreams Have No End�
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:24 pm |
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I'm definitely excited about the State of the Union...I always watch it....or listen to it on the radio...............
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:26 pm |
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Just got home from TaeKwonDo. All I caught was the first minute or two of the speech, and then this often "bah" response. The united stuff was good, but some of it, no. And he went after the president on a bunch of issues, but didn't give his own plan. I mean, if they want to go after the President and his ideas--when he's putting out an agenda--the should really put forth their own agenda, should they not?
I am skeptical about having these rebuttals, period, anyways, though.
I'll let you know my opinions on the speech when I see it (rewind my recording).
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 5335
Location: Hiding
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:46 pm |
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I thought it was OK. The talk about united fronts and stuff was good, but it was way too idealistic. One thing stuck out at me about the educations stuff: all No Child Left Behind did was institute more exams. I personally feel that the best way to raise results is to raise standards and direct funding to schools. That and we've already got enough emphasis on math and science. We need to focus more on a well rounded education (visual, preformance, and musical arts, social studies, English, language, math and science).
Did anyone else watch the Democratic response? Despite the fact that he said "there's a better way" more than Bush said "freedom" (maybe, I need to count  ), it was very good. More realistic talk, rather than the oversized idealistic stuff.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:49 pm |
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As I said, I didn't see Bush's speech (yet), but I can already tell you that I disagree on all fronts (I did see the response, as I said in my last post there)
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 5335
Location: Hiding
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:59 pm |
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Whoops! Sorry, I guess that's what I get for responding just before I go to sleep
He didn't give a full plan because it's just a condensed rebuttle. That and he's a governor so he has a lot less to do with the running of the federal government.
Again, overall I thought Bush's speech was way to idealistic and the rebuttal was more down to earth. They both had their flaws, they both had their strengths. I think that the rebuttal was stronger overall
Also, two side notes:
-$10 million for new energy resources, and $85billion to rebuild the Gulf? o.O
-I thought it was kind of funny when Bush pointed out the fact that congress didn't pass his Social Security reform, all the Dem's started cheering 
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:02 pm |
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Heard about that. That's just wrong.
I can tell you that we're going to differ, especially after I see the speech, but that's gotta be because of perspective.
I thought the rebuttal was quite idealistic, and that's it. The governor addressed no Democratic plans, just topics. That's it. No agenda.
I'm hearing good things now, from Guiliani about the president's speech. I think I'm going to like it quite a lot and think it's great.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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LightningBoy
Commodore
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1446
Location: Minnesota, U.S.A.
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:06 pm |
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I voted "good".
I liked the topics he hit on, and the issues he pushed, but I really wish he would get a bit more agressive about defending himself. He keeps taking punches, and rather than fighting back, he accepts it and moves on. I believe that he thinks his results speak for themselves, and for reasonable people, they do; however, the sad fact is that his harshest opponents turn a blind eye to any of his successes, and he needs to do a better job 'gloating' (shoving it in their faces).
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:08 pm |
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Yeah, the rebuttal was very weak. You can't really say you've actively listened if you were thinking of your replies while the other person was still speaking...
As for the speech itself. It was well presented, and came across well. But it's all politics. On both sides. I just wish someone other than rednecks who like guns would read the constitution...
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:42 pm |
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I watched it at the hospital. When the Dem. stood up and cheered about the social security reform, I felt that was tacky and childish. Although, I expect nothing less from them.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:05 am |
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Alright, brief review.
1. It wasn't an idealistic speach. It was very an optomistic, but also realistic and practical, speech with good ideas that are reasonable and realistic.
2. When the Democrats stood up during the social security thing, I found that incredibly disrespectful, childish, and ridiculous. They should be ashamed for doing what they did.
3. It was a GREAT speech. I say excellent. Should he have driven home more "gloating" points, as LB suggested? Sure. And he should have elaborated on some other things, like the tax cuts. But it was still an excellent speech--better than the rebuttal, for sure.
4. His speech was chock-full of good ideas and plans and a real agenda, unlike was put forth by the honorable governor of Virginia.
All in all, I have to say I'm voting excellent. It wasn't his best speech, but it was one of them. Very well-written (obviously, for the most part, not by him, but still) and very well-given. He hardly even messed up at all.
I do agree, though, that we have enough focus on Math and Science. I hate those classes, and think that there's enough focus on them.
What we really need to be focussing on is moreso reading and writing, IMO.
Anways, good speech. I especially loved the ending. It was fantastic.
I'm predicting at least a 4- or 5-point increase in his approval ratings after this.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:19 am |
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I just watched this speech and I thought it was excellent. It was optimistic, strong, true, idealistic, and hit on everything I wanted it to, and did it in the way I wanted it to. I must say that I am extremely pleased with the President and his agenda, beliefs, and initiatives.
The points I were especially pleased with were his pro-life ideas that he strongly outlined and how he stood up for the dignity of all human beings, new fuel initiatives, growing our economy, and continuing our campaign against global tyranny.
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:45 pm |
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it was alright. I laughed when the Dems all cheered at the social security. Its getting more and more like a parliament every day 
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 5335
Location: Hiding
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:44 pm |
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^ Yeah. I thought it was funny
You claim that the governor of Virginia didn't outline any real plans. I accept that, I don't thing anyone could have given any full explination of a plan in half an hour. And Bush didn't give anything more specific, he just touched on more issue.
Also, I live in Virginia. I am more aware of what is happening inside the state than most people who don't. I'm not entirely sure how much of what happens in my county is because of the local government or the state government, but I do know that we have an excellent education system, transportation system, and at least the northern part of Virginia is a very well run area. For education, we have four high schools. Three of them are in the top 100 of the challenge indes, the other one isn't that far behind. Transportation: Metro is having some issues, but that's not just VA, and local transportation is excellent. They were just talking today about expanding it.
The governor may not have been specific, but a lot of what he said has backing in reality with what has been happening in VA.
I hope that made some relevant sense
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IntrepidIsMe
Pimp Handed
Joined: 14 Jun 2002
Posts: 13057
Location: New York
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 4:24 pm |
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I saw it. I kind of wish he'd just quickly touch on all the new plans he intends to start in the beginning, and do the BS later so I could just turn it off after all that,
The dems were pretty hilarious, as far as the whole Social Security thing.
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 4:30 pm |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | | I'm predicting at least a 4- or 5-point increase in his approval ratings after this. |
| Quote: | RNC Says Don't Expect Bush Bounce
The RNC is playing down expectations for President Bush's State of the Union address tonight by sending around this analysis by pollster Matthew Dowd:
"In looking at poll movement before and after State of the Union addresses, the average over the last fifty years is actually a slight drop (-0.2%). President Bush�s average change is also a drop (-0.4%). Only one of his SOTU addresses showed positive movement (2005), which is likely attributed to the intervening events of the 2005 Inaugural and January 2005 Iraqi elections. Even the �Great Communicator� President Ronald Reagan�s average poll movement after State of the Union addresses was negative (-2.6%), and in fact Reagan only had one SOTU speech with positive poll movement!" |
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 5335
Location: Hiding
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:33 pm |
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^That's interesting. I wonder why that is...perhaps it's because what the President reports as being the "state of the union" isn't what most people see it as being. I donno.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:22 pm |
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Bah. I don't care. I'm expecting a bounce.
And Trekkie, I know how Virginia's education system is, as I have family that lives in Virginia, but I fail to see the relevance.
And my gosh--hilarious? It was the most disprespectful thing I've seen the Democrats do towards the president in some time. What jerks they were. Plus, to stand up and do that on such an issue--especially one that they were wrong on?
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:45 pm |
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I have it recorded, the entire speech.
How you can find it appropriate and alright in such circumstances, I'll never know...
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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LightningBoy
Commodore
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1446
Location: Minnesota, U.S.A.
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| Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:23 pm |
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Yeah, it's really funny when the Democrats stand up and applaud inaction... I have yet to hear a Democrat suggest how to fix Social Security.
Nothing new, though. The Democrats have always liked to reward inaction with their welfare program.
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IntrepidIsMe
Pimp Handed
Joined: 14 Jun 2002
Posts: 13057
Location: New York
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| Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:43 am |
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It wasn't appropriate, but it was still pretty funny, just because it was immature. Even Bush laughed.
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:49 am |
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Well, I suppose it might have been funny because of that, and was funny because it made them look so bad
But nonetheless, disrespectful and ridiculous it was. Not that I expect anything more from the democrats any longer.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Birdy
Socialist
Joined: 20 Sep 2004
Posts: 13502
Location: Here.
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| Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:44 am |
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You know, about the Oil thing, I thought it was kinda funny, that he said the US was addicted.
It's very idealistic to say he wants to explore new forms of propulsion and other ways to get energy from, but it's not very concrete.
Yeah, it's nice that he said it, but Nixon and Carter did that too, and we never heard from that again. I'm curious what he'll actually do about the problem of the high prices of oil in the US, and how to find new ways of propulsion.
We'll have to get to it anyway, the whole world, since we know that we'll run out of oil someday.
-------signature-------
Nosce te ipsum
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