What does Bush's '04 State of The
Union Address Really Tell Us?
by JohnHuang2
Though 'Axis-of-Evil' clearly became the most memorable line of the President's '02 State of the Union Address, it was not its overarching message, media Urban Legend notwithstanding. Nor was the case for war against Iraq the overarching message of last year's address before Congress. Sure, there was cold realism aplenty as the President, in words ringing splendidly with clarity and resolve, outlined the many threats, the myriad challenges America confronts in an age of terror, laying out a plan of action, unfazed by the size of the task. But more than just threat assessment updates, the basic thrust, in substance as much as tonality, was one of sparkling optimism, unbridled hope, unceasing confidence and unbowed determination. That in dealing with threats and challenges, waging boldly the battle which must be waged, the outcome -- triumph -- is not in doubt, arduous and difficult though the path to victory may be. Victory is non-negotiable.
Again, the keynote of Tuesday's televised address -- the President's 4th and final before facing the voters -- was not simply an update on the war's progress, a laundry list of policy initiatives, bold pronounce-
ments or preview of the President's agenda for the coming year. Nor was it merely tallying legislative achievements. This speech was not just about process, but more, much more. The rousing stemwinder thundering from the House well was a masterstroke of surpassing insight and excellence -- a hopeful, inspiring, forward-looking message, an eagle-eyed and bold blueprint for victory, delivered with poise and grace, eloquence and charm, firmness and command, as only a bold, decisive leader could persuasively deliver. In short, as with his 2 previous wartime SOTU speeches, the basic, overarching message was visionary -- only more so. The scintillating optimism, the exhilarating cheer flowed like crystal clear rivers yet again, only more so. The glittering message of hope lit the halls of Congress, evoking thunderous applause and standing ovations, again and again. Yet, far from Pollyanna, the hard, cold realism in a world of uncertainties and terror was part of the message as well; the sobering truth is, as Bush made clear, this war is far from over. Even so, to foes of freedom, a warning that America's resolve remains undaunted, uncompromising. America is in it to win, and victory remains non-negotiable.
Bush: "Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11th, 2001 over two years without an attack on American soil and it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting and false."
"Our union is strong" declared the President a year ago before Congress. And this year? That our union is stronger still, thanks to Bush's exceptional leadership and vision.
Bush: "Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and they expect the same from us. In their efforts, their enterprise, and their character, the American people are showing that the state of our union is confident and strong."
Through troubled waters, Bush is the steady hand at the helm, the portrait of take-charge toughness, the profile of moxie and mettle, fortitude and grit -- that's what drives his Democrat rivals into paroxysms of agony and fury. And why they keep getting their butts whipped.
The master strategerist moving on all fronts aggressively, Bush enters the fourth year of his term as President still delightfully defying prediction, flouting every tenet of Conventional Wisdom with relish, leaving critics confounded as ever. Framing issues primarily on his terms, wielding the Bully Pulpit masterfully, Bush remains unequivocally in total command of the stage, firing on all cylinders, handily setting the agenda, his Democrat opposition -- paranoid, deluded, deranged -- split into warring camps, stuck in the quagmire of presidential nomination combat, jousting clumsily for position, a crippling identity crisis growing as the daily internecine bloodletting fuels already widespread perception that Democrats, great at hate-speech and boilerplate but little else, are hardly ready for prime time.
A day after the kick-off Iowa caucuses, the Democrat hoopla slams smack-dab into the Bush freight train, as the President, ascending atop the media bounce, grabs the spotlight yet again, dwarfing the 7 Lilliputians vying for his job even further, turning the caucus showdown into a footnote as the Adult President wrests attention away from the kiddies before they end up hurting themselves.
Yet, all the while, Bush -- America's wartime leader, Commander-In-Chief -- stands well above the fray, reaching millions of living rooms, addressing Congress, the donjon of democracy, as Democrats claw each other to death. The contrast could not be starker. Take Bush's defining traits -- strength, hope, resilience; his ability to bounce back, his tenacious stick-to-itiveness. What greater contrast to the weakness and defeatism, the rancid bitterness and despair oozing from the other side?
Whether the issue is health care, national security or global affairs, Bush speaks with refreshing candor and clarity, an openness and authenticity rare in politics today, underscoring his Midland roots. The frankness and honesty help explain why Americans have bonded so closely with him.
After months of relentless Democrat attacks from the campaign trail with no rebuttal, the President's popularity remains undiminished. Much to media chagrin, 58 percent approve of the way Bush is doing his job in a new ABC-Washington Post poll, completed just before the SOTU. That's the highest rating of any President at this point since President Eisenhower 48 years ago. In an ominous sign for Dems, as Campaign '04 kicks into high gear, the poll found deep public distrust of Democrats on matters of security and defense. On fighting terror and keeping the nation safe, Democrats are still in the basement, with ratings mired at all time lows, exposing a huge vulnerability for the party. Even more ominous, public perception of Democrats as soft on terror is hardening, pushing swing voters away. In sharp contrast, Bush enjoys a profound reservoir of trust, consistently earning very high marks. Sixty-six percent support his handling of the campaign against terror, giving the President a prohibitive advantage on the over-riding issue of our time: Keeping America safe from attack. Despite the constant carping, a clear majority of 55 percent approve of Bush's handling of postwar Iraq. On the domestic front, 55 percent give Bush a solid *A* on education, a staple of Democrat politics till Bush snatched the issue away. As the economy gathers momentum, with consumer confidence soaring, a majority now support Bush's handling of the economy, dashing Democrat hopes of replaying the '92 election. Back then, only 22 percent approved of Bush (41's) job on the economy.
With Democrat credibility sinking as top '04 contenders slug it out to see who can be weakest on defense, the President clearly is in the driver's seat, offering a combination of experience and know-how no Democrat can hope to match.
But Bush is never content to sit on his laurels. Trailblazers and daring risk-takers never are. Thinking out of the box is his M.O. On matters of policy, whether you agree with him or not, you always know with certainty Bush is doing what he thinks is right. Moreover, Bush keeps his word. If Bush says something, take it to the bank. For Bush, campaign promises are solemn vows, not throw-away lines to pander to this or that group. Honor, integrity, honesty -- to Bush, these aren't just precepts; they're his way of life. Is he perfect? No -- no man can be. Do I always agree with him? Of course not. Yet, here's another thing you can take to the bank: With Bush, ideas and policies are matters of deeply-held conviction, not phony marketing ploys to boost polls. Bush is not for sale -- at any price. And, unlike most politicians, Bush will spend whatever political capital necessary to meet his solemn commitments, never flinching. If you didn't think he'd keep his word, he doesn't want your vote.
That's the mark of a true leader; that's the seal of a genuine statesman.
And that's the reason my gut tells me this wasn't Bush's last State of the Union Address.
;-)
Anyway, that's...
My two cents...
"JohnHuang2"
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