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.

[Lazamataz]

Arne,I'm a little old lady and I wouldn't be here if I couldn't take it.I avoid the misogynists.

I hate little old ladies. They always have too many cats.

[Lazamataz]

OH,Laz.I am worried,concerned,somewhat puzzled and hoping to bring you around by November.Stay open to changing your mind,PLEASE....;)

Oh, just what I need.

Another woman who wants me to change.

;^)

[txradioguy]

Yes I was on that live thread. I had just been in the area of that explosion the day before. Haven't had a chance to get down there since then and see the damage. I'm just glad there were non of my fellow soldiers killed.

[risk]

Do muslims get a piece of this faith based initiative? Am I paying taxes so they can "minister" to prisoners?

[Quix]

i DON'T feel sold out by Bush.

I believe he is having to navigate some horrendous philosophical, political, terror, evil/good warfare etc.

MINE FIELDS.

It is mostly enough for me that he prays daily an hour first thing in his private quarters and earnestly seeks to follow God's will. . . . and that he is far MORE conservative than the next 15 in line.

I think Condi is wonderful. Ridge is reportedly an earnest conservative believer, too. Evidently Tenet is.

I don't see it fruitful for me to badmouth Bush or get off on this or that conspiracy theory though in general I think a lot of the conspiracy stuff is too true for comfort. So far, I just don't accept that he's remotely a part of it as alledged. I don't feel the same way about his dad.

---

That being said, I respect you tons JustPiper. I expect to always respect you. If I had a home of my own, you'd be welcome period. God's best to you.

[eastforker]

It's called strategery son, and I say that affectionatly since my son just came back from there, and I thank you as well.Many do not understand politics and how it is to be played.Thank you again and long live the Republic of Texas.

[MEG33]

It was terrible for the Iraqis but a miraculous escape for our soldiers,thank God.Stay safe.

[MEG33]

There is no escape..none!

[txradioguy]

No they don't that I know of. The Imam's that minister in the prisons, from what I understand, are sponsored directly by the Wahabi sect in Saudi Arabia. Even scarier than them being sponsored by our tax dollars.

[nicmarlo]

Thank you for your service to our country, radioguy...I agree with much of what you said.

I don't agree with everything Bush has done either (most especially CFR, the alien jobs, thing, gun control, and open borders)....these issues, in fact, make me quite angry with him.

Nevertheless..........while I disagree with these things, I still admire him and believe he's one of our best presidents. I reserve HOPE that these issues he's implementing/wanting to implement are not put into law, or are later reversed.

The alternative to my object of admiration (with the hope) is electing someone totally objectionable and dangerous (i.e., Kerry, Dean, Hitlery, Edwards, etc.).

[txradioguy]

Thank you eastforker. I'm glad that your son made it back safely. I can't wait to get back to Ft. Riley myself and then back to the GREAT state of Texas to pick up my kids. No thanks needed sir. I think your son would agree that we're just doing our jobs. Long live the Republic Of Texas

[MEG33]

I hate for you to read some of this stuff.The one thing that seems to have everyone disturbed is the allowing illegals to get work cards if they have a job.I won't go into the details.It won't happen anytime soon because it's a hot potato for the polititians.I liked the speech.I'll find a better thread with fewer fights...;)

[OldFriend]

We all have to do our part and it is going to be more important than ever since the media no longer even pretends to be objective.

[txradioguy]

Those things bother me too. Especially the open borders and alien jobs thing and seeing the effect of it on W. Texas where I'm from.

It makes me wonder if he's having The Swimmer over for burgers and movies again.

I too have hope that he'll swing back to the right on these issues AFTER his re-election next year. As you said the alternatives to our current POTUS are enough to scare even Edar Allen Poe into sobriety. But you couldn't convince some people in here that as I said before I think would rather see W go hard right and LOSE.

[Miss Marple]

Hi, there! I haven't talked to you in a while.

Thanks for your opinion from your very important perspective. I think it was an excellent speech, and my suspicions were confirmed this morning by the frothing at the mouth of just about every democrat.

We are very blessed to have this man as our president during this very dangerous time.

I just don't think that a democrat president, even if it were one who supports the WOT like Lieberman, could marshall enough support and resolve among those of his party to move forward. The hard left has too much influence in their party.

I am proud to support the president, and I will not apologize for it one bit, no matter who calls me names or tries to infer that I am swayed by superficial characteristics.

[eastforker]

I told him that if they let a bunch of us old farts loose over there, we could clear that place up prety quick. You see, once you been around the world a couple of times, nothing much matters except defending the country our children and grand children will live in. Anyways, looking for your safe return to the Republic of Texas.

[MEG33]

Good night all.I and "all my cats" have to get some sleep...;)

[MEG33]

Trust me..he and the swimmer are not having dinner and a movie.Kennedy has been really nasty.REALLY nasty.

[nicmarlo]

the alternatives to our current POTUS are enough to scare even Edar Allen Poe into sobriety.

That's a great way of putting it; I agree.

But you couldn't convince some people in here that as I said before I think would rather see W go hard right and LOSE.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what would happen. And, on the flip side, that's what IS happening with the DEMs. They have gone so far left that many centrist Democrats are "abandoning" ship and coming over/voting Republican, as we have witnessed the past couple years.....taking Senate seats and Governships previously unheard of as Republican before!

[Miss Marple]

Did anyone ever determine if the President refused to shake Kennedy's hand last night? I was typing when President Bush came into the chamber, but it sure sounded to me like he gave Kennedy the cut direct.