State of the Union...... LIVE THREAD

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Following the tradition begun by George Washington on Jan. 8, 1790, President George W. Bush prepares for his State of the Union Address at his desk in the Oval Office, Thursday, Jan. 24.

Working at his desk in the Oval Office, President Bush reviews the State of the Union address line-by-line and word-by-word.

[JohnHuang2]

I predict that these closing words of President Bush will be quoted by all future historians who study this moment in history.....

I couldn't agree more, Julie. In fact, the whole speech will be remembered as a major landmark.

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks =^)

What I like best about President Bush is the fact that he believes in the American people, in the very best we have to have to offer.

That's exactly right, my friend.

[operation clinton cleanup]

They sucked for it. Come, we go hang glide.

A DU quote is worth a thousand posts...

[rwfromkansas]

Did anybody see Politically Incorrect (what can I say, I was bored and decided to watch a little part...lol)? Anyway, Larry Miller, an actor, was on there....he seems pretty conservative. You could tell he was sitting there trying not to burst out in anger at the liberal stuff being spewed.

[ArneFufkin]

A George W. Bush speech to the nation followed by a JohnHuang2 analysis .... it's like winning the Daily Double! ;^) Best Regards John.

[TexanToTheCore]

They cut to Lieutenant Commander McSally when W spoke of hHuman dignity. T'is a message that will be well understood in Riyadh.

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks =^)

[Rheo]

Excellent post!!

[piasa]

"We will be deliberate, yet time is not on our side.

He's right there- countries like ours are too slow to anger in a world in which time is increasingly more critical. We were lucky this time- our enemies acted too soon. Had they been more patient they could have allowed us to keep spiraling towards impotence.

I will not wait on events, while dangers gather. I will not stand by, as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons."

This wasn't aimed just at Iraq, though Iraq is certainly in need of attention. I think if this quote gets picked up in some other countries there are folks who will soil their pants.

[TexanToTheCore]

Where are our Brits? Whadja think?

[operation clinton cleanup]

The demeanor of our leaders over the last few months says they know something big may happen. If some city or town vaporizes.. who do we retaliate against?

The communist figured this out back in the 70's.. Arm terrorist fanatics with WMD and who do we blame?

[no-s]

I suspect the "laundry list" is to focus the dems on something they can understand...it's a political move. If the dems fight him, they fight themselves on ground of his choosing.

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks =^)

[Southern Federalist]

Thank you for setting up this thread. It is always good to have a lively FR thread to escape to when the Democrat response comes on.

I have to go sleep now, but here's my take on the speech, apart from it's being an obvious political winner.

I think this near the end was maybe one of the most important parts of the speech for the long term:

America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance.

GWB has talked about "defending freedom" since 9-11, but tonight is one of the first times he's used his bully pulpit to explain what Americans mean by "freedom." Since the schools stopped teaching it long ago, we need that badly. We really need leaders who will revive the lost language of liberty. Just putting that list in front of the nation was a great start. When did you last hear a President say that private property was a non-negotiable demand of human dignity? Maybe Reagan.

The other most important parts were (1) the direct challenges to Iraq, Iran, and N. Korea -- Does anyone think now that the President is undecided whether we are headed for a showdown with these terror-states? --(2) the repeated reference to Palestinian terrorists, both directly and indirectly -- he didn't mention Arafat but at least three of the terrorist groups he named are operating primarily against Israel -- and (3) the call to make the tax-rate cuts permanent and speed them up.

Reaffirmation of his commitment to Social Security investment accounts was important too - I think the NY Times recently sniffed that surely we've heard the last of that now. They hoped - but tonight W disillusioned them.

The investment accounts would actually help people, but a big part of their importance is psychological. SocSec is the central psychological prop of the Democrats' longstanding attempt to convince Americans that they can't take care of themselves, so the government needs to. "Without the government you'll be helpless in your old age." If investment accounts put a crack in the plausibility of that, it could have way big consequences for the political viability of conservative ideas.

On the whole, an A+, given that it was a modern state of the union address, which almost has to have a boring middle.

[JohnHuang2]

This wasn't aimed just at Iraq, though Iraq is certainly in need of attention. I think if this quote gets picked up in some other countries there are folks who will soil their pants.

Methinks you're on to something, my friend.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I can't breathe, I am laughing so hard at your comment. This is so true, and I nominate it for quote of the day. Chris Matthews just goes into ecstatic rapture whenever McCain is a guest on his show.

Hey, thanks! I have never been nominated for the quote of the day before!! (South! Look!!!)

Don't they just make you want to scream "GET A ROOM!"?

[Carolinamom]

A+ for this one too! 'Love your content, analysis, AND writing style. Call the White House immediately and get a job there writing the President's speeches.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Don't they just make you want to scream "GET A ROOM!"?

ROFL !!!!!!!!! I don't know if I can take any more laughing after last night, but here I go again.

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks, my friend ;^)

[Tony in Hawaii]

but what I saw was enemic

Interesting spelling... got a lot closer to the truth than he meant to. :)