So you think George W. Bush is not a conservative?

SOTU transcript ^ | 1/22/04

[Wolfstar]

ED. NOTE: On Tuesday evening, January 20, 2004, the President of the United States gave one of the most conservative State of the Union addresses in at least a generation. For a SOTU speech, it had a remarkably short spending wish list. Instead, it had passages such as those excerpted below — none of which would have been spoken by a Democrat or liberal (i.e., Leftist), or even a "RINO." Check it out:

[BEGIN EXCERPTS: Bold/underscore emphasis by Wolfstar]

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.

[SNIP]

The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell. Of the top 55 officials of the former regime, we have captured or killed 45. Our forces are on the offensive, leading over 1,600 patrols a day and conducting an average of 180 raids a week. We are dealing with these thugs in Iraq, just as surely as we dealt with Saddam Hussein's evil regime.

Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better. Last month, the leader of Libya voluntarily pledged to disclose and dismantle all of his regime's weapons of mass destruction programs, including a uranium enrichment project for nuclear weapons.

[SNIP]

Nine months of intense negotiations involving the United States and Great Britain succeeded with Libya, while 12 years of diplomacy with Iraq did not. And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible, and no one can now doubt the word of America.

Many of our troops are listening tonight. And I want you and your families to know: America is proud of you. And my administration, and this Congress, will give you the resources you need to fight and win the war on terror.

I know that some people question if America is really in a war at all. They view terrorism more as a crime, a problem to be solved mainly with law enforcement and indictments. After the World Trade Center was first attacked in 1993, some of the guilty were indicted and tried and convicted, and sent to prison. But the matter was not settled. The terrorists were still training and plotting in other nations, and drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States, and war is what they got.

[SNIP]

Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands — (applause) — Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices.

From the beginning, America has sought international support for our operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country.

We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater Middle East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending, to assume that whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with liberty and self-government. I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again.

[SNIP]

In the last three years, adversity has also revealed the fundamental strengths of the American economy. We have come through recession, and terrorist attack, and corporate scandals, and the uncertainties of war. And because you acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief, this economy is strong, and growing stronger.

You have doubled the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000, reduced the marriage penalty, begun to phase out the death tax, reduced taxes on capital gains and stock dividends, cut taxes on small businesses, and you have lowered taxes for every American who pays income taxes.

Americans took those dollars and put them to work, driving this economy forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years; new home construction, the highest in almost 20 years; home ownership rates, the highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is high, and jobs are on the rise.

These numbers confirm that the American people are using their money far better than government would have — and you were right to return it.

[SNIP]

We're requiring higher standards [in schools]. We are regularly testing every child on the fundamentals. We are reporting results to parents, and making sure they have better options when schools are not performing.

[SNIP]

We must continue to pursue an aggressive, pro-growth economic agenda. Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The tax reductions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act — (applause) — unless you act — unless you act, the unfair tax on marriage will go back up. Unless you act, millions of families will be charged $300 more in federal taxes for every child. Unless you act, small businesses will pay higher taxes. Unless you act, the death tax will eventually come back to life. Unless you act, Americans face a tax increase. What Congress has given, the Congress should not take away. For the sake of job growth, the tax cuts you passed should be permanent.

Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners and employees with relief from needless federal regulation, and protect them from junk and frivolous lawsuits.

Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run — so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

My administration is promoting free and fair trade to open up new markets for America's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and farmers — to create jobs for American workers. Younger workers should have the opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes in a personal retirement account. We should make the Social Security system a source of ownership for the American people.

[SNIP]

In two weeks, I will send you a budget that funds the war, protects the homeland, and meets important domestic needs, while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than 4 percent. This will require that Congress focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, and be wise with the people's money. By doing so, we can cut the deficit in half over the next five years.

Tonight, I also ask you to reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy.

[SNIP]

I oppose amnesty, because it would encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those who break our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law, while bringing millions of hardworking men and women out from the shadows of American life.

[ED. NOTE: The precedent for guest worker programs goes back at least to the Eisenhower administration.]

[SNIP]

In January of 2006, seniors can get prescription drug coverage under Medicare. For a monthly premium of about $35, most seniors who do not have that coverage today can expect to see their drug bills cut roughly in half. Under this reform, senior citizens will be able to keep their Medicare just as it is, or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits them best — just as you, as members of Congress, can choose an insurance plan that meets your needs. And starting this year, millions of Americans will be able to save money tax-free for their medical expenses in a health savings account.

[SNIP]

On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs.

[SNIP]

Small businesses should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates, so they can cover more workers with health insurance. I urge you to pass association health plans. I ask you to give lower-income Americans a refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their own basic health insurance.

[SNIP]

To protect the doctor-patient relationship, and keep good doctors doing good work, we must eliminate wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. And tonight I propose that individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage, as part of our new health savings accounts, be allowed to deduct 100 percent of the premiums from their taxes.

A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. By keeping costs under control, expanding access, and helping more Americans afford coverage, we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America's health care the best in the world.

[SNIP]

One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem with aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement. Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the last two years. Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001.

[SNIP]

A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under federal law as a union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states.

Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.

[SNIP]

It's also important to strengthen our communities by unleashing the compassion of America's religious institutions. Religious charities of every creed are doing some of the most vital work in our country — mentoring children, feeding the hungry, taking the hand of the lonely. Yet government has often denied social service grants and contracts to these groups, just because they have a cross or a Star of David or a crescent on the wall. By executive order, I have opened billions of dollars in grant money to competition that includes faith-based charities. Tonight I ask you to codify this into law, so people of faith can know that the law will never discriminate against them again.

[SNIP]

The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable — and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true.

[END EXCERPTS]

[zook]

What I find ridiculous (there're very few things I "hate") is that anyone calling themselves a conservative would act in a way that would ensure an far far wider array of liberal-left policies to become law, i.e., by helping a Kerry, an Edward, a Clark, or a Dean to become president.

I also find it ridiculous for a conservative to imagine that they can only vote for those who completely toe the line to their own conservative agenda. If you doubt the absurdity of this, simply consider that by the standards being applied here, you would have to have voted against every Republican president and candidate over the past 50 years.

[Southack]

"Oh come on. Bush is no conservative, and most everyone that's honest, knows this."

I disagree. Bush banned Partial Birth Abortion. That's the number one litmus test for true conservatives: banning abortion. Some talk it. Bush did it.

Bush killed the Kyoto Global Warming treaty. Again, that's conservative.

Bush killed the U.S. - CCCP ABM treaty so that we can finally defend our great nation from rogue nuclear-armed ICBM's. That's pretty conservative in my book, too.

Bush has cut federal income taxes (and dividend taxes, and estate taxes, etc.) so much that a family of four earning $40,000.00 per year only pays $4 per *month* in federal income taxes. That's pretty conservative.

Bush is leading an outstanding effort in our war on Terrorism, with nary a feigned nod to the globalists who want America bowing to the UN at every turn. That's pretty conservative, as well.

It's fine to have complaints against Bush. No one is perfect...but Bush has done more conservative things in office over the last 3 years than even President Reagan managed to accomplish in 8.

For instance, Bush ordered Ashcroft to inform the Supreme Court that the new OFFICIAL U.S. position on the 2nd Amendment is that it supports our INDIVIDUAL right to keep and bear arms. In contrast, Reagan continued Carter's liberal "collective right" position on the 2nd. Bush also signed the first ever federal repeal of gun control when he legalized the carrying of firearms by pilots.

Complain about those things not being enough, fine, just don't call them liberal.

[onyx]

It's about that time for a reminder of who comprises GWB's "base" of support and who does not.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Bush is no conservative, and most everyone that's honest, knows this. It has become painfully, inordinately clear. The man is a globalist. America is just another member that needs to be downsized.

Thus sayeth the "truest of the true conservatives".

Why thank you Dane. I appreciate that.

[Texas Federalist]

Uh Reagan won a landslide in 84 with a less of the percentage of the base supporting him.

No kidding, and the numbers that Howlin is relying on show that Bush does not have nearly the support that Reagan had among Democrats and independants to support an erosion in Bush's base.

[CSM]

"You better whoa down there a minute. Because I stayed home and raised 5 good Americans, I haven't EARNED the right to vote?"

No, you haven't earned it. It is a precious gift given to you by those that have earned it. It is still your right to vote.

[Howlin]

I don't care about their ballots. I wish they would stop telling me that they're not going to vote for him and just not vote for him.

It's the acting like their more principled that we are that gets to me.

And it's the out and out "misstatements" of what he actually IS doing that bothers most of us.

[deport]

True .. it's the BS from the CP and how they think we need to put another Dem in the WH to teach republicans a lesson that bothers me

---

That's my point..... They can't really influence it and therefore they aren't worth the bother or energy to argue with them. They aren't going to persuade many and what few they do wouldn't vote Republican anyway..... If they are basically ignored they become totally irrelevant, imo. Now others such as the LP or any other that gets the name recognition and the money to fund a race then they can become more of a threat..... This bunch isn't and won't be for years to come....

[Pern]

Are you aware that the veterans, according to John Kerry and his pack of jackals, will be voting for HIM this year?

Kerry's full of it, only the veteran's lacking common sense will vote for him!

[onyx]

Maybe both roads end up at the same place, so then it really would not matter.

Wrong. And you're dangerously wrong.

[ohioWfan]

You've got at least ONE part right, ex.

THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY IS AT STAKE!

We can't AFFORD to have a Dem in the Oval Office IF WE CARE ABOUT MORALITY!

(You were afraid to go toe to toe and see who's more moral, weren't ya?)

[PhiKapMom]

You voted for a man unfit to serve as President.

That's the truth. The rest of the Country refused to listen to Texans about Ross Perot. I still cannot believe he received so many votes!

[Howlin]

only the veteran's lacking common sense will vote for him!

Do you not see what you're posting?

That's the EXACT same thing you all are saying to us.

[looscnnn]

"Your way of thinking, Jesse Jackson will be back sleeping in the Lincoln bedroom,"

Did I say that? Say it with me, nooooooo. I knew you could. I said that they run the country. Face the facts, we have PC because of them. We have the destruction of morals, etc. because of them. Nobody will pass laws that run counter to what they want. They run the country, plain and simple.

[jmcclain19]

ping

[Texas Federalist]

You really don't believe what you wrote that you could compare Pres Bush to Bob Dole as candidates?

PhiKapMom is right. I wouln't compare Bush to Dole. I would compare him to his father, who lost his base, and the election, with the Tax hike.

[looscnnn]

"if Al Sharpton gets 30% of the votes in SC, he will be there too.!!"

Well, first he needs to get the Dem nomination, that won't happen. So stop being paranoid.

[Mo1]

you are correct

[Howlin]

Well, I just don't seem to be able to get any of these people to answer my question.

[ought-six]

"In the case of George W. Bush, on a host of issues, this has been the most conservative president since Ronald Reagan. In some respects, more conservative."

Ummm, there were only two presidents between RR and W: George H.W. Bush and the Toon. Hardly the stuff for valid comparison.