Congressional Divide

President's speech highlights political differences

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President George W. Bush gives his sixth annual State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on January 23, 2007. (Photo: White House photo by Shealah Craighead)

January 24, 2007

For the first time in his presidency, Republican George W. Bush gave his State of the Union speech to a Congress controlled by Democrats. The President gave his sixth annual State of the Union address Tuesday night in the nation’s Capitol. The speech, which is required by the Constitution, was televised nationally at a time when the President’s popularity in polls is at an all-time low.

President Bush began by recognizing U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi’s historic position as the first female Speaker of the House.

“Tonight I have the high privilege and distinct honor of my own as the first President to begin the State of the Union message with these words: ‘Madame Speaker,’” he said to an uproarious round of applause.

Bush continued in a bipartisan spirit. He congratulated the newly elected members of Congress and vowed to work with them on major policy issues.

"Our citizens don't much care which side of the aisle we sit on, as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done," Bush said.

The President’s plans for the year included proposals for changes in health care and energy policies. He promised to submit a budget that will eliminate the nation's deficit in five years. He plans to cut the amount of money the government borrows without raising taxes. He said the government needed to cut spending instead. Members of both parties gave those statements a standing ovation.

The mood changed when Bush touched on his plan to send 21,000 additional troops to Iraq. His new war strategy was originally announced in a speech to the nation two weeks ago. Democrats and many Republicans have argued against the move.

In the Democratic response after the State of the Union, Virginia Senator Jim Webb said sending more troops is not the answer.

“The president took us into this war recklessly,” Webb said. “We are now, as a nation, held hostage to the predictable disarray that has followed.”

Webb was an interesting choice to represent the Democrats. The newly elected Senator is a Vietnam veteran who served as Secretary of the Navy under Republican President Ronald Reagan. His 24-year-old son is a Marine currently stationed in Iraq.

Webb said he hoped the President would keep his promises to provide health care for the uninsured and to balance the budget. In Iraq, he said he hoped Bush would take “the right kind of action,” withdrawing troops rather than increasing them.

“If he does, we will join him,” Webb said. “If he does not, we will be showing him the way.”

Bush takes his message to the people on Wednesday and Thursday. He stops first in Wilmington, Delaware, to talk about his energy initiatives. On Thursday, he will be in Lees Summit, Missouri, conducting a roundtable on health care policies.

 

Critical Thinking Question

Read today's news story, and then answer the following question.

Congressional Divide What current issues would you mention in a State of the Union address? Why?

Join a discussion of this question on our bulletin board.

 

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