"Key provisions of the Patriot Act are to expire next year" and Bush was surprised by the applause

01/20/04

[Destro]

Did you all catch the moment?

During his third State of the Union speech President Bush said that "Key provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire next year," and was supirsed by the spontaneous applause!

Bush flushed for a second or two and then continued after a heart-skipping beat "The terrorist threat will not expire on that schedule. Our law enforcement needs this vital legislation to protect our citizens--you need to renew the Patriot Act." This elicited the larger if more canned applauses.

[Mercat]

but his best moment happened then, he turned to face them and delivered his next line with great force to say that the terriests would not expire. I really liked that part.

[Destro]

"surprised" - Jeeez laptop keyboards are a menace to the typo prone

[MarkM]

Applause from the Democrats. Even though they voted for it, the first time.

[Destro]

Terrorists---you have a typo problem too I see. :)

[Shermy]

Would be nice, for one, if the Patriot Act was limited to "terrorism" - which it isn't now.

BTW, I didn't think that applause was hearty.

[Destro]

Don't be to sure-many Republicans hate the bill.

[Texasforever]

My gosh, surprised? Hell that set-up was the best I have ever seen. Nice try though.

[Jeff Chandler]

He faced them down.

[sinkspur]

The applause came from the scumbag Democrats.

It will likely be renewed, in some form, especially if the Republicans increase majorities.

[Destro]

spontaneous was the word.

[narby]

That was the beginning of his taking it directly at the Dems. He delivered his next line staring directly at them.

Something like "but terrorism is not set to expire".

I liked it.

[Destro]

Bush looked too stunned for you to pass it off as a set up.

[kingu]

I wonder if the Democrats will continue to insist that the Patriot Act be used against money laundering?

[Consort]

Bush won that exchange.

[My Dog Likes Me]

I think he got through the whole speech without spitting out the word "mosque." -sarcasm-

[Shermy]

Yes, you're right.

Lots of applause is canned, automatic...repubs for a repub persident, dems for dem president...but Bush's immigration statement were met with bipartisan coolness.

[Destro]

Take mercy on me and correct my vanity header to the correct version of "surprised". Thanks.

[Texasforever]

Bush looked too stunned for you to pass it off as a set up.

Yeah so stunned that he had the next line timed to maximum effect. You are really reaching. He caused the dems to stick their collective foot in their mouth at every turn.

[Destro]

There was no exchange. It was a moment that is very telling is all.