by Mark Silva
President Bush, facing a faltering economy at home, an unpopular war in Iraq and persistent threats of terrorism, called on a wary Congress Monday night to help steer the nation through this “period of uncertainty.”
With the delivery of his final State of the Union address, Bush presented a starkly limited agenda for the remainder of his term, in contrast to the bold rhetoric and ambitious goals that marked earlier periods in his presidency.
As the nation faces fears of recession, he pressed for immediate and long-term relief for taxpayers. And as American troops gradually withdraw from Iraq, he asked for new surveillance authority in the war on terror.
With a sweeping overview of the world tumult and domestic controversy he has faced in seven years, Bush made only fleeting references to the bold reforms he unsuccessfully sought on immigration and Social Security during his second term. He suggested that now, any action on these fronts will be up to Congress.
For all the challenges remaining, the president, who will be out of office in a year, attempted with smiles and a forceful appeal to convey a cautious optimism in the televised address before a joint session of Congress.
“As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty,” Bush said. “At kitchen tables across our country, there is a concern about our economic future. In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth. But in the short run, we can all see that that growth is slowing.”
See the rest of the story in today's Tribune:
Bush urged Congress to swiftly approve a $150 billion economic stimulus package, including tax rebates for individuals and families and tax breaks for business. He recently reached a deal with House leaders on the package, and he urged Senate Democrats not to pile on additional breaks, as they are seeking to do.
“The temptation will be to load up the bill,” Bush said. “That would delay it or derail it, and neither option is acceptable.” In the midst of a home mortgage crisis, Bush called on Congress to reform government lending. He called for a renewal of his signature first-term education reform, the No Child Left Behind Act, and for congressional approval of foreign trade agreements.
The president also urged Congress to act on an issue demanding prompt attention: The Feb. 1 expiration of legislation authorizing his terrorist surveillance program.
The limited reach of the president’s final to-do list for Congress reflected his own lagging popularity, at a time when an unusually lively campaign to succeed him is overshadowing his remaining tenure.
The president, who averted any vetoes of congressional spending until Democrats gained control of Congress last year, also threatened to veto many of the “earmarks” that members stuff into spending bills for home-district projects. Bush pledged to veto any spending bill that does not cut the number and the cost of earmarks by half.
The White House complains that Congress inserted roughly 11,700 earmarks totaling nearly $17 billion in its 2008 spending bills. On Tuesday, Bush also plans to issue an executive order directing federal agencies to “ignore” hidden earmarks.
But Democrats quickly complained that Bush was “trying to have it both ways,” turning a blind eye to earmarks when Republicans controlled Congress, and also seeking $20 billion for its own projects last year.
In general, Democratic leaders found much missing in this address.
House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) said Bush “missed a wonderful opportunity” to explain mistakes at war and with the economy, charting no course for the future.
The president did remind this election-year Congress how much remains to be accomplished, citing issues like immigration reform and the growth in entitlements.
“Every member in this chamber knows that spending on entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is growing faster than we can afford,” Bush said.
“Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved,” he added. “And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals.” Bush asserted that the “surge” of U.S. troops in Iraq is having a dramatic effect, saying it has “achieved results few of us could have imagined just one year ago.” “Some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists there is no doubt,” he said. “Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated.” Democrats have insisted that while the “surge” has reduced violence, that has not led to the political reconciliation crucial for a stable Iraq.
As he begins the last year of his presidency, Bush faces a skeptical public.
Public satisfaction with the economy has fallen from 68 percent during Bush’s first year to 36 percent, the Gallup Poll has found.
Bush’s approval ratings, which soared to 90 percent in the weeks following Sept. 11, 2001, have slumped to the low 30s.
The president’s entire family came to this final show before Congress, with his twin daughters joining the first lady for the first time. And one big wish here won applause.
“In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them,” Bush said. “Let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time.”
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Comments
This is another Bush anniversary date I'm enjoying.
January 20 was the less than a year left of Dubya's horrificly, failed presidency.
Last night was the last State of the Union with Darth in tow that we ever have to be subjected too again.
The next one coming up is the last "Mission Accomplished" anniversary under this "God told me to be president" God told me to invade Iraq" deluded deserter.
May these anniversaries pass quickly until Barack Obama is elected president.
Posted by: Doug Zook | January 29, 2008 6:57 AM
It was a forthright addressing of the nation's achievements and its problems. The state of the Union has never been nothing but a rose garden. The major point is we have a president who revels in the country's accomplishments, is proud of his country, celebrates our military and public safety people, and then produces suggestions for solving the problems. Of course, then you have the complainers who do little other than....complain.
Posted by: Samuelson | January 29, 2008 7:19 AM
Thank God, we've had the last ridiculous performance by the Monkey-on-a-stick.
He would be laughable had he not hurt and killed so many people.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | January 29, 2008 8:30 AM
Nice spin there, Mark. You take one line said by Bush and make it the theme of your piece. Seems to me most of Bush's speech was stirring, optimistic and uplifting. Also, the war, which a few years ago was quite popular, then became somewhat unpopular and now is becoming a little more popular again. Folks are smart enough to know that things are going better in Iraq and that perhaps the whole endeavor may have been worth it.
It's also interesting that on Sunday, 60 Minutes had a piece on Iraq's WMD program, which noted Hussein blustered to make it appear it was active and in reality it was somewhat active and that he could start the WMD program up again rather easily. No coverage on that. Why? Because it doesn't fit with the LIBune's Washington Bureau agenda?
Posted by: John D | January 29, 2008 9:05 AM
The long goodbye, finally.
Posted by: C.Morris | January 29, 2008 9:14 AM
Of course, then you have the complainers who do little other than....complain.
Posted by: Samuelson | January 29, 2008 7:19 AM
So Sammy, tell me about the great accomplishments of this leader:
Greatest peacetime economic expansion in our time?
Lasting peace and prosperity?
Securing our borders?
Solving our illegal immigration problems?
I know that's a lot, but that's what leaders do. This guy couldn't lead a 3-year old to the pot.
Posted by: jack | January 29, 2008 9:18 AM
Some observation's about Boy George's address.
1.Luckily,that is the last one.
2.If the economy and the war are sailing along,how come all the R's running for Prez are always offering solutions to all the problems this nation faces?
3.If this Prez was even mildly successful,wouldn't the R candidates be begging for his endorsement?
4.I find it absolutely amazing that Boy George and the Wing Nut party can be boastful about the tax breaks they passed for the wealthy,but nary a mention of the 5 trillion dollar debt they've just dumped on the next generation.
Posted by: Raving Loon | January 29, 2008 9:27 AM
As the Media said directly after the speech; the Middle East is the only region where Republicans deal with the foreign policy. In all other nations the Democrats run the show. If you imagine that other countries are a larger version of the sate of NJ, and look at how the people in this state are treated it’s no wonder other countries HATE us. They’re dealing with Democrats!
Posted by: Wallace | January 29, 2008 9:29 AM
Of course, then you have the complainers who do little other than....complain.
Posted by: Samuelson | January 29, 2008 7:19 AM
You're right Sam. When one tosses around patriotic words and phrases, how can one not be inspired. If only, say there was one more American flag on stage we probably woudn't have any problems at all. The problem with his solutions is they only cause us more problems. I think the way to solve issues is to have the correct solutions. There is little we can do until we take the Whitehouse and remove all the republicans that have put us in this mess in the first place. How quickly you forget the wasted spending, the Abramoffs, and the bridge to nowhere. But your right, a few patriotic songs and words make you feel better.
Posted by: bill r. | January 29, 2008 9:29 AM
That's right little johnny joystick,the "Great Bush" housing boom is still going strong.Just keep telling yourself,everything is great,and at some point,you actually believe it!
Special Report full coverage
Home price drop hits a new record low
Foreclosures up 75% in 2007
Foreclosures spike - and will get much worse
New home sales: Biggest drop ever
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The number of foreclosures soared in 2007, with 405,000 households losing their home, according to a report released Tuesday.
Total foreclosure filings soared 97% in December alone compared with December of 2006, according to RealtyTrac, an online seller of foreclosure properties. For the year, total filings - which include default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions - grew 75%.
More than 1 percent of all U.S. households were in some stage of foreclosure during 2007, up from 0.58 percent the year before.
"There are parts of the country where we're seeing many more bank repossessions," said Rick Sharga, a spokesman for RealtyTrac. "People are flat out losing their homes."
In California alone, nearly 66,000 people lost their homes last year. In Michigan, 47,000 families went through foreclosure. Also hard hit was Nevada, where 10,0000 people had their homes repossessed, a per-capita rate more than twice as high as California.
California had a total of 250,000 foreclosure filings, the highest number of of any state. Florida was second with more than 165,000 total filings.
Other hard-hit states include Michigan, which has been battered by job losses in the auto industry and had over 87,000 filings, Ohio, with more than 89,000 filings, and Colorado, with 39,000.
Nevada had 3.376 filings for every 100 households - a foreclosure rate of more than three times the national average, and the highest of any state.
Stimulus plan also sparks housing
According to Gail Burks, the CEO of the Nevada Fair Housing Center, a community advocacy group that aids home owners facing foreclosure, some communities in Las Vegas, Nevada's biggest city, have as many as 40 percent of homes in foreclosure.
"It's having a huge impact," she said. "Some zip codes here are recording 22 foreclosures a month."
The rise nationally has confounded some community advocates. "Last December, we thought the national numbers were bad, and now they're up almost 100 percent," said John Taylor, CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. "It just shows we need a comprehensive approach to solve the problem."
The increase in foreclosures has come about despite very low interest rates, as well as government, private enterprise and community advocate efforts to forestall the worst of the problems.
That's because sales are very slow in many housing markets and prices are down, leaving many troubled borrowers unable to sell in order to repay their mortgage debts.
Still, some states have avoided problems. Maine had just 286 properties with foreclosure filings on their records, Vermont had 29 and South Dakota just 24.
Foreclosures spike -- and will get much worse
Regulator opposes stimulus plan's mortgage fix
Housing prices to free-fall in 2008
Find mortgage rates in your area.
Posted by: Raving Loon | January 29, 2008 9:39 AM
It was a forthright addressing of the nation's achievements and its problems. The state of the Union has never been nothing but a rose garden. The major point is we have a president who revels in the country's accomplishments, is proud of his country, celebrates our military and public safety people, and then produces suggestions for solving the problems.
Posted by: Samuelson | January 29, 2008 7:19 AM
The problem with you knuckledraggers, Samuelson, is that you consider those characteristics to notable/unusual, while many of the rest of us consider them to be minimum qualifications. We need a president who is all those things, and, in addition, is com-pe-tent. Bush has never been up to the job. Some of us have been screaming that since 1999.
What a poignant reflection on the pathetic straits of this party of losers that the most they can say about their standard bearer is he likes the country.
Posted by: a blinkin | January 29, 2008 9:40 AM
One thing I am certain of...
We are not better off than we were 8 years ago.
Posted by: Michael | January 29, 2008 9:44 AM
"On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our Founders and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says," Bush said.
He actually said this with a straight face. Even after he has continued his calls for warrantless monitoring of average Americans. Why doesn't he just say "when I say "constructionist judges", I mean "conservative activist judges".
Posted by: syj | January 29, 2008 9:45 AM
I missed it, was Dick Cheney and Bush arrested after the speech for raping the Constitution?....no?...
That's too bad.
Posted by: jackson | January 29, 2008 10:15 AM
I for one would like to congratulate George W. Bush for accomplishing a seemingly monumental task: The complete trashing of the Republic party brand.
Between his and Cheney's complete and utter incompetence, you have a demonstrated failure of conservatism. They controlled all 3 branches of gov't. for years, and you only have to look at Loon's post to see all of his 'accomplishments'.
All hail G Dubya...the Worst President Ever.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | January 29, 2008 10:16 AM
I checked out my favorite comedy channel last night
(faux news)...what a laugh.
The patriotic rhetoric was knee deep. Sean Vannity was at his best. He really needs to have an intro like his radio gig. It has angels singing and bands playing and bombs bursting in air.
Posted by: bill r. | January 29, 2008 11:08 AM
SYJ,please provide ONE American who has been monitored by the U.S. government. Just ONE.
I "love" the Loons comments here.
Bush accomplishments? There are many:
1. An economy that has expanded a RECORD 52 consecutive months.
2. An economy that has averaged the LOWEST unemployment rate of any in recent historical memory.
3. Continued low interest rates.
4. No attack on the U.S. or its interests for nearly 6.5 years.
5. Improved education system.
6. THE MOST DIVERSE cabinet in U.S. history.
7. Making the White House a place for grown ups again after the Clintoon Fraternity Party Days.
8. Removal of two evil dictators in Iraq and Afghanistan.
9. A man who has respect for the office of the presidency and the country.
10. And the single greatest achievement of the Bush presidency: the fact that he has driven the worst mankind has to offer, the dregs of Society, the most worthless beings on the planet -- the Loony Left -- completely into a mind-numbing tizzy from Day One. For that alone, Bush belongs on Mt. Rushmore.
Posted by: John D | January 29, 2008 11:51 AM
John D:
Obviously you have not heard the "good" news from Iraq - we have lost 37 soldiers there so far this month. Last month, the total was 23. So it seems we will be hitting 4,000 dead in the next month or so.
Looks like the surge may not be working like Georgie says.
And Loon has it right - if things are so great in this country, why is it that NONE of the GOP candidates for President are talking about how they would continue the Bush legacy??
Posted by: BobinATL | January 29, 2008 12:01 PM
...in recent historical memory.
Posted by: John D | January 29, 2008 11:51 AM
What the F does that mean!? History isn't something you recall from memory that may or may not be true. History is based on recorded FACTS. What is wrong with you?
Posted by: janet | January 29, 2008 12:16 PM
Yes John D, he is a legend in his own mind. With troop deaths very near 4K and well over a trillion dollars, I'd say we were attacked only by ourselves. Someday you need to put the Prozac away and leave your lily white development and see what real Americans see.
Posted by: bill r. | January 29, 2008 1:17 PM
Per John D:
SYJ,please provide ONE American who has been monitored by the U.S. government. Just ONE.
-----------
John D: This is not the sort of thing that the Government would be expected to disclose. Not to the individual affected nor, certainly, to the public at large. That would tend to undermine the whole point of it being secret, wouldn't it?
Surely a national security whiz like you knows that.
Besides, as one of your fellow wingnuts famously said, "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence."
Posted by: a blinkin | January 29, 2008 1:32 PM
Bush belongs on Mt. Rushmore.
Posted by: John D | January 29, 2008 11:51 AM
Holy $***balls this man is about to snap. Someone please lock this goon up before he hurts someone or himself. He obviously is in a deranged state of mind to say that and mean it.
Posted by: john | January 29, 2008 2:37 PM
"BUSH SPEAKS"
I'M CERTAIN OF ONE THING. YA'LL IS SOME REAL AMERICAN FOOLS.
WHO SAID A FOOL CAN'T FOOL A TWICE. WELL I'VE FOOLED THE AMERICAN FOOLS NOT ONLY TWICE BUT 7 SEVEN TIMES IN A ROW.
MERRY CHRISTMASS HALLIBURTON. HAPPY NEW YEAR BLACKWATER. NOW THAT IS SOME SUCCESS, A BROKE MILITIA TO A 325 MILLION DOLLAR GUN TOTEN 600.00 A DAY RIFLE MAN.
I'M NOT UNCERTAIN ABOUT ANYTHING. IT ALL WORKED AS PLANNED. EXXON IS HAPPY, CHINA IS OVERWHELMED WITH NEW MONEY. ALL MY NO BID CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN PAID AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN DO ANY WORK. NOW THAT IS NOT UNCERTAINTY THAT IS 100% GOOD OL AMERICAN GOVERNMENT FRAUD.
SO YA'LL CAN BE ONLY UNCERTAIN OF ONE THING, THERE IS NO GENOCIDE IN THE SUDAN, STOP BELIEVING THE HYPE.
CONDI, LETS GO NOW!
Posted by: Roger Morris | January 29, 2008 2:58 PM
John D.
Have you been wearing Jerry White rose colored glasses? 4. No attack on the U.S. or its interests for nearly 6.5 years. Have you heard of the attacks on our soldiers in Iraq? Are they of no interest to us?
Posted by: pd | January 29, 2008 3:13 PM
John D.
Have you been wearing Jerry White rose colored glasses? 4. No attack on the U.S. or its interests for nearly 6.5 years. Have you heard of the attacks on our soldiers in Iraq? Are they of no interest to us?
Posted by: pd | January 29, 2008 3:14 PM
John D. (Bubble Boy) Dyslin. If he got in a 20 car pile-up that killed half a dozen people, all he would observe is that his Jesus fish was still intact and that Rush Limpbaugh was still spewing lies on the radio.
Posted by: dt | January 29, 2008 3:32 PM
What fun it is to poke a stick at the extreme libs and wait for their usual diatribes right out of Daily Kooks.org and Morons.org. You guys are so predictable and resort to the same trite phrases. It does give all of us a good laugh, so thanks. Please don't ever do anything original. It would spoil your aura.
Posted by: Samuelson | January 29, 2008 3:39 PM
Let's take those one at a time.
1. Smoke and mirrors. You can play with statistics all you want.
2. Glad you said RECENT, because your comment would only include the last 7 years. Clinton's rates were consistently lower.
3. Get real, the fed recently just slashed them because of the prime mortgage crisis caused by Bush's failed policies.
4.So, attacks on our troops don't count. At least Clinton convicted the men who bombed the WTC the first time. Enemy # 1 is still at large thanks to GW's incompetence.
5. The majority of education professionals says NCLB is a failure.
6. Window dressing.
7. But when W doesn't get his way from congress he takes his ball and goes home.
8. Iraq was a mistake that had nothing to do with national security. It is up to the people of individual nations to overthrow their own dictators. And not sure who you mean in Afghanistan? Bin Laden? He wasn't the recognized leader of Afghanistan. The Taliban is a rogue gov't.
9. By ripping up the constitution?
10. Sticks and stones. But if you want to put him on Mount Rushmore, let's exile him there now. He can try to get off it like Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint in "North by Northwest".
Posted by: syj | January 29, 2008 6:15 PM
Questions for Raving Loon:
1) Do you understand that we have over 300 million people in this country, and home ownership is at 70%. Slow down, take a deep breath, release the hatred, and think about your stats for a few minutes.
2) Do you understand that over 99% of homeowners will not lose a dime on their homes, and most will make a healthy profit? Slow down, take a deep breath, release the hatred, and think about it for a few minutes.
3) Do you understand that for many people, owning a home was becoming rapidly too expensive after the recent housing boom? Slow down…
Posted by: TMB | January 29, 2008 7:15 PM
Here's a good of shot of Crazy John D taken during a recent 'Propane Now' symposium.
http://carpenoctem.tv/killers/gacy.html
Posted by: TheReamer | January 29, 2008 2:32 PM
Posted by: TheReamer | January 29, 2008 8:37 PM
Loons, the unemployment rate during Bush's administration has averaged lower than under any administration for the past 50 years. Can you understand that, Dumnb Dumb Janet?
Syj, still waiting for ONE American who has been spied on.
Also, Loons, no Republican running for president speaks highly about Bush? Sorry, just about ALL of them have, save for Ron Paul.
And as far as attacks on American interests, yes, our military is of national SIGNIFICANCE and importance. But they are in a war situation and in a war situation, soldiers get killed. It's been that way since the beginning of time. The fact is, there has been NO terrorist attack on U.S. soil or against us.
Posted by: John D | January 29, 2008 9:40 PM
The fact is, there has been NO terrorist attack on U.S. soil or against us.
Posted by: John D | January 29, 2008 9:40 PM
The fact is completely WRONG.
There have been 3 attacks on US, non-military interests overseas in the last month. Three, not none, three.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/01/04/sudan.diplomat/
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/01/deadly-suicide.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22665350/
Why can't you Republican apologists at least recognize reality, and stop telling such easily disprovable lies? Have you no shame at all? Are you willing to ignore the victims of these attacks solely to shield you political position?
Posted by: Luke | January 30, 2008 9:45 AM
The fact is, there has been NO terrorist attack on U.S. soil or against us.
Posted by: John D | January 29, 2008 9:40 PM
Flat out WRONG! The Syrians, remember them, our supposed enemy in the Middle East? The SYRIANS repelled an attack on our Embassy in Syria. Our embassy is US soil so, off the top of my head, I just shredded your argument in less than one second. Good night.
Posted by: janet | January 30, 2008 9:50 AM
It was a modest speech filled with modest proposals.
Last night, President Bush gave his final State of the Union address, an address much different than his past seven.
Gone were the references to Iran as the "axis of evil" and our social security system as "headed towards bancruptcy." Instead of strong words, Bush put forward modest proposals.
The already approved $150 billion economic stimulus plan, $300 million in education funding for poor students, and continued support of the war in Iraq topped Bush's agenda.
Modest clapping and standing ovations scattered his 53 minute speech, but alas... Bush was not the center of attention at his own State of the Union speech.
With only a year left in his presidency, the nation has already turned to a new generation of politicans who are running for his seat.
CNN seemed to be more interested in which senator was snubbing another senator than talking about President Bush's speech.
A picture of Senator Barak Obama turning his back on Senator Hillary Clinton shaking Senator Ted Kennedy's hand was blown up and shown again and again. 'Was he doing this on purpose? Is he mad at Hillary?' seemed to be more important than anything the President was saying.
Senator McCain wasn't even in attendance last night, instead choosing to squeeze in some last minute campaigning before Florida's primary today.
With Americans already swept up in the excitement of Super Tuesday and the race to see who the Democrat and Republican front runner will be, President Bush is pushed in the background. His State of the Union was more of a snapshot of his past seven years as President while he struggles to shape what his legacy will be. Meanwhile, the rest of the politicans in the House chambers, and well as the rest of the nation wonders... who the next leader of the free world will be.
More info:
http://emily-carlson.com
http://emilycarlson.org
http://emilycarlson.info
http://www.zimbio.com/Emily+Carlson+Journalist
http://emilyacarlson.wordpress.com/
http://www.zimbio.com/Emily+Carlson's+All+Things+Political
Posted by: Emily Carlson | January 30, 2008 9:27 PM
Does Bush actually think his effort putting us deeper in debt to take care of the uncertainties makes any sense? Someone tell him that it is the certainty of the pending depression brought about by the unprecidented inflation he created by his ignorance and neglect. Someone tell him about the certainty of the poor and middle class going postal when they can't afford to eat rather than bailing out bankers on million dollar speculative housing loans that were made in greed as a gamble on cutting a fat hog. Let those rich bastards go belly up Bush and be concerned with the people on the bottom of the heap who are going to be suffering in such a way that they end up going postal at the grocery store. Someone send this fool home early before his mess is unrecoverable...
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Posted by: Deanna King | February 27, 2008 4:20 AM