State of the Union Address LIVE THREAD 9:01pm EST.

White House .gov ^

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

President Bush will deliver the annual State of the Union this evening at 9:01pm (Eastern Time). The speech will be webcast live on the White House web site. The President will discuss the extraordinary challenges our country has faced and the historic achievements we have made. Yet he will also stress that there.s much more for our country to do: "America this evening is a Nation called to great responsibilities. And we are rising to meet them…" "We have not come all this way – through tragedy, and trial, and war – only to falter and leave our work unfinished. Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and they expect the same of us." He will also remind the American people that we are a Nation still at war, and our government is meeting its responsibility to protect the American people: "Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11, 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." "...America is on the offensive against the terrorists..." "As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes that harbor and support terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons…" "...Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better…" He will discuss the progress we’re making in Afghanistan and Iraq, and renew our commitment to ensuring those countries are free and peaceful: "The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror…" "The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America has always been willing to do what it takes for what is right." On priorities here at home, the President will discuss why he’s optimistic about our growing economy, and call on Congress to take action that will help turn our economic recovery into a lasting recovery. He will call on them to help train Americans for the jobs of the 21st Century: "America’s growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology transforms the way almost every job is done, America becomes more productive, and workers need new skills… We must respond by helping more Americans gain the skills to find good jobs in our new economy." President Bush will also discuss the importance of health care and the major cause for why Americans lack health insurance: the rising costs of health care. "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. To make insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care costs." Finally, the President will argue that in a time of great change in our country and world, the things that make our country strong should never change: "We are living in a time of great change… Yet some things endure – courage and compassion, reverence and integrity, respect for differences of faith and race. The values we try to live by never change. And they are instilled in us by fundamental institutions, such as families, and schools, and religious congregations. These institutions – the unseen pillars of civilization – must remain strong in America…" "All of us – parents, schools, government – must work together to counter the negative influence of the culture, and to send the right messages to our children."

"The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." Article II, Sec. 3, U.S. Constitution • History • State of the Union History Quiz • State of the Union - 2003 • State of the Union - 2002 Q1. What President delivered the first State of the Union Address?  George Washington  John Adams  Thomas Jefferson  James Madison  Franco Harris

January 20, 2004
Communications Director Dan Bartlett discussed this year's State of the Union.

January 19, 2004
Author/Historian Richard Norton Smith discussed the history of the State of the Union address.

[CWOJackson]

Don't let the malcontents get to you.

These are just the angry buchanan patsies crawling back out of the wood work to vent their anger and frustration. They aren't worth getting worked up over.

[Lazamataz]

A little cheese with that whine, Frenchie?

New pads for your knees, 'bot?

Gag.

How eerily appropos.

[Fledermaus]

Yeah, but let's get real...they always put pointless crap like the steroid thing into the speech. Clinton was the worst...every year I'd tell my wife, "you watch, he'll bring up stubbed toes and call for national sidewalk reform".

[Fledermaus]

Thank you for allowing me to feel free to avoid it. I appreciate your benevolence.

[Howlin]

...but this place is running mad with Bush Blindness. It's like Conservatives have little to no respect or voice on this site anymore

Is it your contention that being a "conservative" and being a "BushBot" are mutually exclusive?

[CyberAnt]

Remember .. laughter doeth good like a medicine!!

[tpaine]

Rest assured that if someone posts like that to sweet little arnie, - it will be reported as abuse & pulled..


"Mealy mouthed" hypocrisy rules at FR..

[Torie]

Yes, much of the back and forth is taken too personally in my opinion. But that is human nature. For myself, I enjoy once in awhile a well crafted flame directed at me. I guess I enjoy the sport of argument, and those with whom I argue, if it is well done, character flaw though that may be.

[A Citizen Reporter]

"Now what in the hell is that supposed to mean? C'mon..spill it."

"Sure the same "love" that you had for GWBush.....way back when you supported him. You don't fool me one bit, and you never have."

Sorry, your own words, in your face....

"I worked damn hard to get this man elected for 2 yrs. Day and Night for W. Raised money,walked streets of Palm Beach, stood in pouring rain outside the recount,marched and fought Dem's on street corners for months and months. Dedicated road trips and other convoys to see him.

[Howlin]

"I worked damn hard to get this man elected for 2 yrs. Day and Night for W. Raised money,walked streets of Palm Beach, stood in pouring rain outside the recount,marched and fought Dem's on street corners for months and months. Dedicated road trips and other convoys to see him.

"And, damnit, he's not agreeing with me 100 percent!"

[BigSkyFreeper]

Why not just knock off the personal insults just because you disagree with someone. It only lessens your credibility as a poster. Either respectfully disagree point by point, or just ignore them. The "I'm more conservative than you" tripe is pointless too.

[Porterville]

These are just the angry buchanan patsies crawling back out of the wood work to vent their anger and frustration. They aren't worth getting worked up over.

Yes, but where do they come from and why are they so loud??? It is like they feel they have to scream as loud as they can and stomp their feet. How do so few produce such a stench that it burns my nostrils through the LCD screen??

[Lazamataz]

You know, I have tried to be patient and conciliatory with your objections. However, Laz, the statement that you wouldn't vote for him on a bad bet is simply over the top.

The concept that "Actions Have Consequences" is over-the-top?

Bush has earned this.

Unfortunately, it is now irrevocable.

Who are you going to vote for? Dean/Kerry/Kucinich/Edwards/Lieberman? Going to throw your vote away on a third party helping the Rats?

I am going to vote my conscience. I will get my ballot, go into the polling booth, select all the candidates for the lessor races, and return the ballot without marking a presidential choice. I refuse to vote for evil, no matter how lessor it might be.

I want them to know I took the time to come to the polling location and cast a vote, and that my vote is neither. If I had the choice between dying by hanging or dying by being burnt to death, I would choose neither.

No one will ever make me vote for a liberal, no matter his party affiliation. No one.

Do you not care that the War on Terror will be lost should a Rat prevail?

I believe that either party would rise to the challenge of national defense, frankly. I think it is hyperbole to claim that a Dem in the WH would result in us losing the WoT. The Dems did satisfactorily during WWII, and I believe WWI as well.

[A Citizen Reporter]

ooh, we pulled the same quote out. That was scary. :-)

[CWOJackson]

And what kind of a wise acre comment was that...(just kidding).

I can understand his frustration in many ways. There is a small, but very vocal, minority on FR who have hated Bush since their preference for candidate didn't get the nomination last time around. Their hatred for all things Bush seems to be very personal and they latch onto any...any excuse they can use to further their disdain.

I think the average "Bushbot" would be far more critical of the President if it weren't for that element, but it's very difficult to rationally discuss the pro's and con's of his guest worker program when you're constantly responding to the IT'S AMNESTY crowd.

I almost wish there could be duel threads for every topic. One for reasonable people who actually do want to "discuss" ideals and one for those who just want to trash and whine.

[Fledermaus]

You are correct. I myself am one of the most angry and constantly spouting off on how I HATE this idea and HATE that the GOP isn't doing this or that exactly as I want.

If done it here and I've even attacked others for not seeing it "my way".

But then all I have to do is listen to John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Edwards, Dean, etc. and I get back to reality. A middle of the road Bush is much more conservative than anything the Dems can offer.

Does it make me totally happy? Of course not. But then I want starships, phasers and tricorders and beaming up terrorists and putting their molecules into space!

I'll do what I can and I'll fight where I can. And, like the last week, I'll get really ticked off at those I respect and have worked for and I'll tick off those I really like here with my inflexibilty when I'm on a tirade.

But I'm not going to do the proverbial cutting off my nose to spite my face like Michael Jackson! I even caught a few minutes of "American Idol" tonight and realized I'm not even close to delusional as some of those that think they can sing!

[Joe Hadenuf]

Yes, but where do they come from

They are from America.

and why are they so loud???

I would say they are pissed. What do you think?

[88keys]

MJY...a.k.a. "seminar callers" (it worked so well for Gov. Dean and his "internet initiative"!)...just posting to you specifically because you were the momentary "last poster" at the time I'm typing this to ALL:

Forgive me if this it too bold...but...REALITY CHECK!

Isn't Free Republic great?! We can read all kinds of opinions, and my two cents is, the President gave a great speech, and has exactly the right approach to restoring "order" from "chaos" across the board... not that that will be easy, or pleasing to "all the people all the time", but you can do nothing without "power", and consider the alternative choices for election to the "bully pulpit"...there's no question someone will hold that office...kudos to all the "debating FReepers" who provide facts and well-reasoned "arguments" in addition to emotions and "boiler-plate statements"! ; )

Miss Marple, I'm sorry to read of the difficult times you and your family have been through lately...I'm very sorry about your "pup" (which loss is harder to take than many folks realize) but also I'm very glad your daughter is doing better, and will soon be a beautiful bride! (hospitals are a "necessary evil", LOL! we all hate to have to be there, but God bless the folks who take care of us when we need it...you obviously take good care of your "folks" and I hope you will be posting pix of your "mother-of-the-bride" dress...!)

[Fledermaus]

I believe that either party would rise to the challenge of national defense, frankly. I think it is hyperbole to claim that a Dem in the WH would result in us losing the WoT. The Dems did satisfactorily during WWII, and I believe WWI as well.

Given the track record over the last 35 years, especially during the Clinton years as we were attacked repeatedly, I do not believe that.

[Cboldt]

A small number of malcontents gargling liver bile and spitting it all over their living room. To no political purpose of objective. Just to spit bile. Day after day. After day. Anti-Bush bile.

Not to be contrary, but it goes both ways. Thoughtful posters like *reasoned* exchange. I avoid posting to busy threads, and reserve my thoughtful (and cited/researched) replies as I see fit.

Obviously, vitriol from any side is detrimental to FR.