Tonight is the last time we will hear a SOTU address from President George W Bush. Besides comments we will hear about Iraq, immigration and the economy, all eyes (and cameras) will be on Senators Obama (and Kennedy), Clinton and McCain (and Lieberman).
It is under a year until we will have a new President, and tonight's event is as much about the future as it is the present. Stay tuned for a few comments about what happens along the way, and what sort of political tension we can see from those running for GWB's office.
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McCain decided to stay in Florida and campaign. I wonder how many times that will be mentioned during the pre and post-game?
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Kemp Dirkthorne, Secretary of the Interior, drew the short straw and remained behind at the White House in case someone did the unthinkable and wiped out the Capitol.
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An early plea to keep the Presidential election civil (to paraphrase). How about the events leading up to the nominations? Let's start small and go from there.
Our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. - the first 'duh' statement of the night so far.
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If we could just get rid of earmarks, we might have a balanced budget every year (or run a surplus). GWB is gonna veto anything with these additions? Well, it was a nice thought - too bad he waited until his last months to do anything about this.
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What is going to help those families living paycheck-to-paycheck? They aren't going to receive help from HOPE because they have probably already missed a payment or two along the way.
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Six years ago, we came together to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, and today no one can deny its results. I really thought this statement was going to get booed out of the building, but there wasn't a peep. Ask the NEA what they think about this.
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And to open the doors of these schools to more children, I ask you to support a new $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids. How about getting more money into the public school system in general. Perhaps with all those earmarks you are going to veto?
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Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil. But wait until I leave office and cash in everything I put into a blind trust before entering office.
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I'm sorry, but some of these comments write themselves. It is hard to take any speech seriously when we know that over the next year, Congress is not going to let him pass any major legislation.
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There are two other pressing challenges that I have raised repeatedly before this body, and that this body has failed to address: entitlement spending and immigration. No wonder McCain stayed away...he wants no part of this discussion. It's a good thing he is in Florida where this won't be an issue.
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We are engaged in the defining ideological struggle of the 21st century. That is a very bold statement to make, yet one that makes sense for what has happened since September 2001. I don't think that anyone can refute that (worldwide) war, famine, disease and global warming are top issues. Yet until it affects us so close to home, we do not take major steps toward combating the issue.
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Our military and civilians in Iraq are performing with courage and distinction, and they have the gratitude of our whole Nation. I just stood up and applauded at this statement...I hope you did as well.
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And tonight in this hallowed chamber, with the American people as our witness, we make you a solemn pledge: In the fight ahead, you will have all you need to protect our Nation. And I ask the Congress to meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops. If you are Clinton or Obama, after all the fighting they have done over this issue, what will they do now? With political cover (meaning that any budget increase without their votes counting), expect them to vote no (or 'present' - lol!).
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A free Iraq will deny al Qaida a safe haven. A free Iraq will show millions across the Middle East that a future of liberty is possible. And a free Iraq will be a friend of America, a partner in fighting terror, and a source of stability in a dangerous part of the world. A free Iraq will keep the oil flowing.
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This month in Ramallah and Jerusalem, I assured leaders from both sides that America will do, and I will do, everything we can to help them achieve a peace agreement that defines a Palestinian state by the end of this year. If he could pull that off, will it offset all the bad feelings that Iraq brought about? When you think of President Carter, do you think more about the peace treaty or inflation and high gas prices? Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Does each party give a handout to the representatives telling them when to sit, politely clap or to stand and cheer?
Last few paragraphs. (Cue the stirring music and get the tissues ready)
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I call on the Congress to enact the reforms recommended by Senator Bob Dole and Secretary Donna Shalala, so we can improve the system of care for our wounded warriors and help them build lives of hope, promise, and dignity. Absolutely!!! With some additional proposals that would help military spouses and their children, this is the type of thing everyone should be able to support.
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Final paragraph for posterity...
By trusting the people, our Founders wagered that a great and noble Nation could be built on the liberty that resides in the hearts of all men and women. By trusting the people, succeeding generations transformed our fragile young democracy into the most powerful Nation on earth and a beacon of hope for millions. And so long as we continue to trust the people, our Nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the State of our Union will remain strong. So tonight, with confidence in freedom's power, and trust in the people, let us set forth to do their business. God bless America.
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Not a real inspiring speech, and not much in the way of real specifics. It was a politically safe speech, perhaps because he wants some cooperation in his final few months. I wonder if he is going to let Congress set the domestic agenda while he concentrates on foreign policy (especially that peace treaty).
Since the approval ratings for both the President, and Congress, continue to remain near all-time lows, it is clear that Americans are not thrilled with how our government is doing the people's business. Let's hope that over the next year, we can actually see these groups working together to achieve everything we NEED done.
-RSKnopfJr
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