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State of the Union
Reader Reaction
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002
Tonight, President Bush delivered his first State of the Union address, amid the competing concerns of the war on terrorism, the economy, taxes, education and health care. In addition to reporting on the progress of the U.S.'s military action in Afghanistan and other places abroad, he laid out his domestic agenda.
What did you think of the speech? What do you think of his objectives? This forum is closed. Your comments follow. For further analysis of the speech and Bush's agenda, join Washington Post associate editor Robert G. Kaiser on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at noon EST.
Submit your questions and comments for Kaiser tomorrow.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Sycamore, Ill.:
It's 8:26 and he is still talking war. Is the concentration on war an attempt to hide that nothing is being done for economy?
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Vienna, Va.:
Comment: How is the Union really? Let's use the old Humphrey standard of looking at how the have-nots of our society are doing. Not only are they not on the radar, the trend is not favorable. I don't think Bush gets it. He is not their president too it seems since they don't donate millions to the campaign coffers and may not vote.
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Mission Viejo, Calif.
After hearing some of the previews of the speech I'm not surprised to hear that he will lean heavily on "the war on terrorism" to help bolster his standing.
I guess no one is suppose to notice that they just got laid off if they're busy worring about "shoe bombers."
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Boston, Mass.:
I expect more than he will ever be able to give. I want to hear that we will let other countries alone. That we will work for alternative fuels. That corporate managers will be held liable for the actions of their company. That Cheney will stop worrying about the power of the vice presidency and tell us everything. That our food will be free of chemicals. That the income tax is outdated and repealed. You know, interesting things that might make the country better.
But my realistic expectations is: "Blah blah....America...applause.... blah blah it reminds me of this ordinary person I know.... blah blah, economy.... applause .... blah blah terrorism... thunderous applause... blah blah... the future... blah... freedom...blah blah, God bless... cheering... We this..... and We that...."
Basically, he will do a good job reading off a teleprompter a speech written by others full of half-truths and patriotic jingoism to a receptive audience. There will be sound bytes and GOP and Democratic spokespeople available within seconds of his speech being over, ready to spin this.
Within a half an hour of the speech ending, he will be praised for being very presidential and living up to the challenges he faces. It will be deemed an effective speech. Some will call him a uniter. Others will praise how far he has come in one year.
Tomorrow morning, papers across the U.S. will all have similar headlines. "Bush Unites Country" or "U.S. Will Prevail" or some other silly dribble that the White House is making sure reporters get loud and clear.
And millions of citizens like myself will wonder why our president doesn't act in our interest on global warming, election reform, soft money, bailouts of corporations, reducing pollution and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, etc.?
Yawn.
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Boston, Mass.:
Can we expect Bush to tell us the truth about the State of the Union -- when he may consider this his own report card regarding his performance over the last year?
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Sunnyvale, Calif.:
COMMENT: Bush is like a magician wrapping himself in the American flag, he props up his agenda by propagating militarism with jingoism, meanwhile chipping away at civil rights and ignoring the issues of the people outside corporate boardrooms. While I believe the foreign terrorist threat is real, no freedom is worth sacrificing for a little more safety. His address tonight is another example of how he's mastered "wagging the dog."
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Silver Spring, Md.:
Could you please shed some light for me on why it is that both the administration and a large portion of mainstream media seem to be stuck on the idea that just because we have unified as a nation in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, we must also blindly support any and all political agendas of the Bush administration?
That to not do so (according to Ari Fleischer, anyway) would make one less of an American, less of a patriot?
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Winston-Salem, N.C.:
How refreshing it is to have a leader that I can finally not be ashamed to tell my children about and who says what he means and means what he says and isn't rattling off the typical Clintonesque litany of programs as if they equaled solutions.
And, most of all, who believes in the power of people instead of government and true freedom instead of a life defined by the size of an unemployment check promised by those who NEVER will receive one themselves since they have lifetime pensions and support that guarantees they will never live the lifestyle of those they claim to care so much for.
Keep giving them hell, George!
After all, it's OUR money, our country and our freedom too.
Great speech so far.
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Austin, Tex.:
A fine performance by a fine man. The United States is lucky to have such a competent, focused, down-to-earth leader.
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New York, N.Y.:
Being united in thought is not important to being American. Diversity is what makes us strong, and people questioning the status quo are the true patriots, not those profitting from wars.
I can just picture the Founding Fathers accepting the first draft of the Constitution, after a lunch paid for by Revere Silver, patting themselves on the back for their bipartisanship.
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Princeton, Ind.:
What a breath of fresh air after the slimy years of Clinton. George W. is making fools of the non-believers. God Bless our president.
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Honolulu,Hawaii:
Just another presidential speech that really says nothing about what he plans to do. He speaks in the same old rhetoric.
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Tacoma, Wash.:
It's so obvious Bush is only concerned about the economy because his political skin is at stake. His policies do little to help the average worker, just taxbreaks for the rich, more of the "trickle down" economics we already know doesn't work. I think it's a real shame he squandered the surpluses for taxbreaks to the wealthy and big corporations like Enron, who cheated their employees out of their pensions.
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Springfield, Mass.:
This response is for the person writing from Sycamore, Ill. You wrote that the president is doing nothing for the economy, but NOTHING could be further from the truth! Nothing is being done because Tom Daschle is holding the country hostage by preventing a vote on the stimulus package.
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Somerset, Ky.:
Bush's State of the Union address was nothing but a lot of "sizzle" and no "steak." We need definitive action on domestic issues and not more bombastic rhetoric.
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Hickory, N.C.:
My question is, why do American voters see the policy of the Republican Party as a solution to the ecnomic problems? It seems to create far more debt.
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Chicago, Ill.:
Sorry, but Bush does not impress me. The media can cheer his correct pronunciation of every vowel all they like. The truth is, the majority of us regular Americans support this guy because we are in a War and hope to feel more secure through supporting our leadership. God help us get through it all.
This speech represents the revival of old Reganomics to the tee. Cut taxes so the government can't afford anything but the basics, then jack up defense spending to send us into free fall deficit spending for years to come, after which everyone prays some of the defense spending will trickle down enough to starve off recession and give us a few jobs for a while. Right now he is draping it all in the flag and hope it flies.
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Tampa, Fla.:
Bush is all talk, Chenney needs to turn over the documents of the secret meetings with Enron Corp. Talk is cheap and Bush milks Sept. 11 to the hilt. America supports Bush on the war effort but needs to rid America off the slave chains of Big OIL all together. Sept. 11 would have never happend if not for the failed policies of the Bush family. Bush is bad for America.
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Uh, wrong:
Tom Daschle is only questioning giving large tax breaks to corporations, including Enron. I think any true american would agreeour tax dollars by giving them to Enron and their like. Or would you like to give all your money to big corporations?
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Middleboro, Mass.:
You whining scum. I read the posts to this site and find that most of you suffer from elitist positioning. You make me angry. He is responding in a presidential fashion to historic events. You just want someone to complain about. I wonder how people view you. I support Bush wholeheartedly.
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Fort Meade, Md.:
This recession started long before GWB was on anyone's scope. Sept. 11 deepened it. The tax cut will pull us out of it. There hasn't been a nation in history that has ever taxed itself into prosperity. Nor has there ever been a nation that created jobs by increasing taxes.
There is a deficit because we have a war to fight. There should be a deficit when we have a war to fight. Winning a war means that much. If we have a surplus, there is something wrong, fundamentally.
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Inkster, Mich.:
The devil is in the DETAILS. I will give BUSH a B- for the speech.
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Indianapolis, Ind.:
I am extremely disappointed. Propaganda at its best. This man is leading our nation down a path of folly. Wake up America before it is too late.
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Somewhere, USA:
Yet another blah blah blah of jingoisms and half-truths. Sure the Americam military kicks ass. Against the poorest country in the world, what do you expect? I continue to be ashamed of the rhetorical muscle flexing and knee jerk applause of theae speeches. To paraphrase the commerical, "Where's the content?"
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Ellicott City, Md.:
A lot of words that no one would disagree with, but few specifics. -How- does he propose to ensure that Social Security remains solvent? -How- can he create privatized Social Security and still pay for today's retirees, and the impending retirements of the baby boomers? -How- will these tax cuts help to fund all the areas where he wants to spend more money? -What- are the plans for Iraq? And -what programs- will he call on Congress to slash in order to meet these impossible budget demands and losses in revenue?
Curious omission -- nothing on Medicare.
I heard several cheap shots at Democrats as well, as though "bi-partisanship" means bending over for whatever Bush wants.
I wanted to hear an explanation of what he plans to do about the economy, not alot more "we need to's." Talk is cheap.
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Cleveland, Ohio:
It all seems like a big in-joke for a country club that we can't belong to, ever. Everyone polite and chuckling, and applauding on cue.
Is that Reagan I see? Oh, wait, it is W., with makeup on his cheek, reading a teleprompter very confidently.
That smirk. Ugh!
I'm amazed Cheney can go up and down like that as much as he has.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
After giving a income tax cut based on Enronian principles of budgeting and accounting, where is money unless of course we raid the retirement security fund?
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Alpharetta, Ga.:
Americans are suckers for motivational speakers with easy answers. I suppose that makes GWB the ideal man for the times and the nation. Rah, rah!
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Arlington, Va.:
Okay, so he didn't stumble around as much as he usually does (I think I even may have heard him say "nuclear" instead of "nukalar"). But that's not the measure of whether he's doing the job that needs to be done for this country.
He can pay all the lip service he wants tonight to improving the quality of life of Americans, but the Devil is truly in the details.
A patient's bill of rights? equal justice? health and retirement security? more jobs? Sure! Bring 'em on! These are "mom and apple pie issues." The fact that they are important is a given -- now, HOW to go about addressing those issues? THAT'S where we have our differences.
In the end, I see him saddling the country with the greatest national debt since Reagan -- a debt that we were just beginning to retire . . . (and no, it's NOT just simply due to the war on terrorism; it's due to the massive and unwise tax cut he rammed through).
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Eunice, La.:
I thought he did great, and I'm not all for him. He delivered a good message, but a long one. I think he's spending to much money though, like all Republicans.
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Alexandria, Va.:
It is so comforting to have the leadership of President Bush during such a challenging season -- a gentleman of character, true grit, and common sense, with a clear plan he is committed to. We should be so grateful that he is delivering the address to the nation at this time instead of Al Gore.
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Pflugerville, Tex.:
It was pretty much what was expected in so much as it focused on what Americans are all still very concerned with -- the war on terrorism. Yes, the state of the economy is still important, and of course he addressed it, but aside from continuing to hammer Tom Daschle to have the Senate join the House in passing true economic stimulus -- instead of just band-aids that address only the effects of the economic downturn -- there is not much more he could say. I'm listening to Dick Gebhardt now, and the things he's stressing in his "opposition" statement practically mirror the president's speech.
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Tampa, Fla.:
Exactly what were the compassionate parts of the speech? And where is my Social Security was it in Enron stock?
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Bethesda, Md.:
He says protect environment, but every proposal is to reduce protection. Same for education, health care, etc. He is for all people but Christian extremist Reed chairs the Georgia GOP and worked for Enron. He has like extremists in his employment. We must support our country internationally, but why believe him?
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Germantown, Md.:
I am better off today under GWB then I ever was under Clinton. How can that be? Leadership in the White House.
Not Hillary!
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Princeton, Ind.:
Man, he missed the chance to talk about the "Scandal" -- The Terry McAuliffe/Global Crossing scandal.
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Tampa, Fla.:
How easy to be popular when we face tragedy.
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New Haven, Conn.:
Great speech as far as State of the Unions go. Not Bush's very best speech, but up there.
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Chicago, Ill.:
I was not surprised that Bush tried to use recent wave of support for the "Commander in Chief" to continue to push his ultra-conservative agenda. I am struck by the irony that he can point the finger at the evil of the Taliban without appreciating that his slide to the right, and his desire to erode the separation between church and state are moves in the direction of the Taliban.
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Leesburg, Va.:
God bless President Bush, it was a great speech he gave tonight.
To those who are complaining bout putting too much emphasis on the war against terrorism, maybe you should wake up and remember there are people out there who hate us for our freedom.
Bush hit a home run this evening.
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Re: Winston Salem:
The president is READING a speech WRITTEN for him. These are not his ides, just his delivery.
And he does not care about you unless you are family or friends of the family. Period.
The Bush family and the Cheney family reap enormous profits from their investments in military companies. Wars increase their wealth.
Wake up, and really look at him. Is he doing ANYTHING to make YOUR life better? No, he's just reading a well-written speech in front of an audience of friends who have to be there.
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Harrisburg, Pa.:
When the president supports prescription drugs and other social programs, how does he expect to minimize the costs?
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Port Angeles, Wash.:
Isn't George W. just the coolest? I say, jolly true, the bloke rocks like Slayer! Go Mr. President, you go kick some butt. We love you. Make our hammocks swing, baby. Jump start the economy; supply side economics; kiss the girls. Love the world. Conquer evil; and dispense peace and justice for all. Don't forget the Hollywood types. They deserve freedom of the press, too. But we love George W. Nice speech -- eat a peach. Teach, preach, and don't have your babies breach.
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Princeton, Ind.:
He did a great job. I can't help it your feelings are still hurt about Al Gore not winning his home state.
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Bethesda, Md.:
Bush claims to support education -- e.g., head start -- and wants to meet our economic needs. He calls for moving above politics. Yet, he continues to call for more corporate and rich folk tax cuts when the U.S. has the lowest effective tax rates of any industrialized country and among the highest infant mortality and poverty rates. Why don't the Post corporate apologists report this? Too dependent on government support?
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London, England:
I'm an expatriate for a year here in London, forced to watch the State of the Union of C-SPAN.
I am extremely impressed with the president's performance tonight. More to the point, I think his performance said everything that had to be said for the global audience. Here in London, his speech will probably not be received very warmly by the reflexively anti-American European left. But, what people want to hear and what they need to hear are not always the same thing.
I am very proud of my president and extremely proud to be an American.
(From Tampa, Fla., normally.)
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Fort Madison, Iowa:
Tell us if there will ever be a change in his heavily pro-business regime in favor of those in the working class, specially those paid the minimum wage of $5.15 per hour? An increse of $1 could spell a lot of difference. Will there be an attempt this time? Please give us a break.
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Newport Beach, Calif.:
Well at least it's nice to see that Bush can pronounce most words correctly, but the fact is that Bush has the same political views as he did before the September attacks. If those attacks hadn't happened his approval ratings would be in the tank and Daschle and company would've been more effective in blaming his tax cuts for the recession, among other things. We have much more of a chance of being shot by other Americans than we do of falling victims to terrorism,yet he says fighting terrorism should be our first priority. Meanwhile our public schools are pathetic and we have an absurbly high poverty rate for the so-called last superpower. His priorities are completely out of whack, but it's exactly what I expected.
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Los Angeles, Calif.:
Bush gets it... many media folks do not. Although we have concerns with the economy, they will pass. They always pass. We know that. These challenges from terrorists have the potential of changing the very world we live in. Most of us prefer he work on that. Congress is responsible for the economy, spending, taxes, and everything else that helps or causes the economic problems.
Bush gets it.
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Los Angeles, Calif.:
More of the same in lofty, rambling rhetoric, but a severe deficit in terms of specifics on how to get things done. No mention of campaign finance reform as he obviously skirted the nasty word: "Enron." It was striking to me how the president mentioned he wants to hold corporations to the "highest standards of conduct" through "tougher disclosure requirements," yet continues to doggedly refuse to release the records of an industry-only club meeting with the Energy Task Force. I understand their "integrity of the office" argument, but it is fundamentally undermined by the fact that there were no citizens, environmental advisors, or consumer advocates present during this task force meeting. When you shut everyone out, and then come up with a plan that benefits only those people in the meeting, you cannot claim that it was a fair process, and that no one can see what you talked about.
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Oklahoma City, Okla.:
I thought the president's speech this evening was superb. Where do you think the Democrats and Republicans will act like Americans in stead of partisans to achieve legislative advancements?
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Denver, Colo.:
On the fight against terror he's on target. But the entire text, the parts churning out the same evil-doer themes and psuedo-hero worship (we know already), could've been chopped by a fifth. Bottomline: winners: Enron bandits and military-congressional-industrial folks, losers: terrorists and everybody else. Note: not a word as to the vaporized "surplus." In: state security, and backdoor pump priming. Out: rational exhuberance, normalcy. Recommendation: drop the penchant for hoopla stage craft and get the economy moving. For 225 years the Republic has more than just survived, but history shows it needs more than bread, water, bullets and rhetoric to do so. It always was about Americans having faith and confidence in the future who are not seized in a time warp of unending claxons sounding that the bad guys are coming -- the world was and always will be dangerous to degrees. Hopefully for taxpayers this war doesn't become a one-trick pony.
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Washington, D.C.:
I'm sorry. I'm still trying to get over the fact that W. actually said his tax cut wasn't "too big" or "too small" but "just right."
What is he, the leader of the free world or Mother Goose? I know he's not so bright. Apparently he thinks the American people aren't either.
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Brooklyn, N.Y.:
Not enought focus on the unemployed, underemployed and working poor. No mention of the lack of affordable housing for the working poor or the increase in homelessness. I am also concerned about his resolve to widen the military action to other contries such as Iraq and Iran. Also there seem to be no mention of the Israli-Palestinan conflict or India/Pakistan fight over Kashmir. If the U.S. doesn't work toward helping resolve this conflict I fear that they could explode into WWIII. A year ago we had a good economy, most of the world was at peace or working on it and we had a surplus. Now we are in a deficit, unemployment is on the rise, the surplus is spent and the administration wants to start squandering the Social Security surplus. We still have three more years to go in the Bush presidency; my question is will there still be a country left when he is through?
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New York, N.Y.:
Mr. President, who's going to pay for this open ended conflict with the Middle East? I think the rich who got the bulk of the tax cut should pay the most because they have the most to lose. MY STATE TAXES ARE GOING UP BECAUSE OF THE BUSH TAX RELIEF PLAN FOR THE RICH!
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Las Cruces, N.M.:
Mr. Bush is a "New Republican" according to his State of Union speech. He spoke freely and often about spending money he hasn't got and has no way acquire. In this respect, he is the reincarnation of the "Old Democrat."
Watch for attacks from the GOP right wing if there are any left in Congress as more will choose to retire rather than object to Bush's march toward a bigger, costlier federal government.
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Columbia, S.C.:
How can you not love this man? He is a true leader. For such a time as this!
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Atlanta, Ga.:
Did George Bush refer to the flight attendants as "air maids?" I am a Delta flight attendant and I am quite disturbed by this slip.
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Falls Church, Va.:
Comment: I thought that President Bush was quite credible and delivered a set of priorities that we all need to support. Sure the Devil is in the details, but the State of the Union speech is not where you deliver details. Wait to see the budget proposals and then we'll know how to get to the ends.
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Moscow, Idaho:
How about a reference to wiping out ignorance? Poverty? Hunger? Suppression by our so-called allies in the Arab world and otherwise? I'm afraid that as long as we keep chipping away at solving the cancer but dont address the root cause, we'll only keep addressing the manifestation of terrorism but not its root cause.
Bush was on form with a good, hard-hitting speech. I felt that the specific naming of countries as enemies bodes badly for those countries' governments and unfortunately, their peoples too. Its time we distinguished between governments and their peoples.
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Alexandria, Va.:
The President, my hat is off to you. And I know you are doing the best that you can. PEOPLE! Give him time. Look at the facts. The improval ratings? Mr. President, it was a well and educated speech. The ecomony will get better in time. Have faith America and God bless America.
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Germantown, Md.:
Great speech by Bush!
My family received $600 tax refund from Bush. Came in handy when my wife and I got laid off. I may not get the exact job that I want, but this economy still has enough jobs to go around so I can put food on the table and pay my rent.
I'm grateful for the country we live in.
Are you?
Carl Casserly
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Washington, D.C.:
I voted for Bill Clinton and I say this with all honesty: President Clinton never gave a State of the Union this compelling, focused, organized and sincere. Bush was focused, clear and on message. Part of that message: if you disagree with me, I challenge you to come up with something better. Well done, President Bush. You've comforted one worried American. Now I hope the Senate Democrats can meet your challenge (though I doubt they are up to the task).
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It Amazes Me:
It amazes me how a lot of people that had given comments here in the post are so pessimistic toward Bush's speach. So, what if he had talked more about the WAR? Hello?! Are we not in the middle of WAR? Our basic rights and freedom here, are being under attacked! We are very lucky to have a leader and the military might to protect our our FREEDOM! Bush, on his speach had proposed plans to revive our economy. But, it is not an overnight process. It will take bi-partisanship. Rather than us criticize Bush! We should ask ourselves what we can personally do to help secure our basic rights and freedom. Without this, we will not have the luxury of whining and complaining -- such as what most of the people that had posted comments here.
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Pompano Beach, Fla.:
From "Middleboro, Mass" I read, "You whining scum." So typical of those Bible thumping American sheep that have more flags on their car than the guy next door. I find that those sheep who claim the moral high ground are in actuality unable to find the moral high ground even if they had a road map and flashlight. I find most people who "support Bush wholeheartedly" let pund-idiots like Limbaugh, et al, do their thinking for them. America would be so much better off if people would read more and learn the truth about what is going on in this country. I can't even listen to Duhhbya tonight because I know he is reading meaningless words off a teleprompter that someone else wrote for him so that he can make the sheep of America say, "Baaaahhh. Baaaahhhh. I support him wholeheartedly." WAKE UP! You hate liars? Bush lied about the trashing of the White House. He lied about when he got to know Ken Lay. He lies alllllll the time, but, "BAAAAHHHHHH. He's great." I believe it was Plato who said something like, "Those who do not closely watch their government, are doomed to live under the rule of lesser men." Well, I watch closely but when the sheep of America don't watch, I am doomed to live under the rule of the same lesser man that they are.
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Flint, Mich.:
I was impressed by the fact that Bush did not mince words, for example, calling terrorists "parasites." I was disappointed that our president called for increased federal spending on several social issues that are the responsibility of the states. I was impressed by his forceful delivery, both his intonation and the expression on his face. It says: this is a strong man, a leader, one who will not compromise.
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Stamford, Conn.:
I don't know how anybody can be upset that he focused so much on the war. It's only our security and freedom at stake.
How good is a job, if you're worried 24/7 that the office building your working in could be attacked by terrorists?
I think he has character, and I think he has proven thus far to be a man of his word. Until he has failed in that respect, I will continue to believe him and support him.
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New York, N.Y.:
Do you think Bush was disingenuous in saying we'd pay any price, considering his inability to ask his rich patrons to pay a progressive share of the tax burden?
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Los Angeles, Calif.:
Why does Bush give speeches that only answer the question:
What does my staff think the people of the U.S. want to hear?
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Grifton, N.C.:
I thought is was wonderful. Semper Fi and all. I'd follow George in to a foxhole anyday, and I'd damn sure follow him out. The first few people to run their lip in this post want an airplane ticket to Afghanistan.
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Taylorsville, Utah:
How can Bush have the audacity to warn Congress about spending over budget after Bush himself gave the surplus to the wealthy and, at the same time is asking for a huge spending increase?
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Albuquerque, N.M.:
President Bush made an excellent speech, but he could have been more up front about Enron, as Congressman Gephardt was in his follow-up to the president's State of the Union.
Bush certainly laid out a heavy agenda for Americans. And, he was forceful in his condemnation of terrorist states like North Korea, Iraq and Iran. Again, he was hesitant in naming Arrafat outright. The man is a terrorist and needs to be singled out for what he, Arrafat, doing to keep peace at bay in the Israel and the Middle East.
Dr. Ben Laime in Albuquerque, N.M.
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Carbondale, Colo.:
Does the president really believe that the American public will ignore the cost of his campaign contributors' blunder at Enron and write him a blank check for defense sepnding?
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Ft. Worth, Tex.:
Democrats are weird animals. Some on this page take Bush to task because the ideas he advanced are "ultra-conservative," and others complain that he didn't write the speech, just read what others had written. No Democrat contributor to this page yet has explained why Sen. Daschle WON'T EVEN LET THE ECONOMY PROPOSAL COME TO A VOTE! Bush gave a great speech tonight, and let's admit it.
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washingtonpost.com:
Thank you for the comments, and keep them coming. This forum is "open" for another 16 minutes -- until 11 p.m. EST. We'll post as many comments as we can.
Alpharetta, Ga.:
Reminding us of the election results -- where Gore did get a half million more votes -- won't generate more support for this president. How convenient that he had a Republican Supreme Court waiting in the wings to reverse its position as champion of state's rights, but just long enough to shut down what was happening in Florida. With regard to his leadership, I condemn the terrorism that was inflicted on this country. Nevertheless, I don't lose sight of the fact that not all religious fanatics are in the Middle East. Government subsidizing of religious organizations (a.k.a. faith-based) is not tolerance.
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Somerville, Mass.:
Why is Bush so intent on fear mongering rather than addressing all problems with reasonable, introspective discourse? He insults our collective national intelligence by not addressing a country whose economy is decaying from the inside, while it is being attacked by a collection of lunatics from the outside.
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Lanham, Md.:
Great speech, well delivered. Especially appreciated the part about us working for greater good, not being selfish. Devoting time to serving one another and the country.
Nice job.
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San Diego, Calif.:
Everyone talks about lost freedoms, yet use this forum to cheaply accuse of profiting on war, harming the economy, self bolstering. I always say, watch what they do, not what they say. President Bush consistently does what is good for this country and its citizens. I simply watch what he does.
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Providence, R.I.:
I have read some of the questions submitted. What planet do these people live on? After eight years of lies and distortions from the biggest fake in the world -- people don't recognize an honest man when they hear one!
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Lexington, Ky.:
A lot of rhetoric about bipartisanship delivered with a forked tongue is what I heard. He really means that the term means accepting Republican policies. He is not to be trusted. The new hype about his stature as a president os all media nonsense. he still takes orders from the right wingers like Cheney who know a manipulable boy when they see one.
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Baltimore, Md.:
No question -- just response. In my 42 years, I've never been more proud of my president as I have been of George W. Bush. His eyes convey a humanism that has been sorely displaced in our past "leaders."
President Bush is a natural leader and not knows how to lead our proud, yet vulnerable nation but to also bring out America in each of her citizens. He is as proud to be an American as I am.
To sum up my response in one sentence: Thank you President Bush for loving America as much as I do.
Deborah Hirsch
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Washington, D.C.:
I find it funny that he would say the state of our union is strong. Clinton could say that because at the time it was true, however it is not. We have record unemployment, deficit's on the the way, big government spending (something the republicans accused the democrats of, but now were trying to stop it), and a president who intent on writing a check when their is no money in the bank (stupid tax cuts). So I say to this president, no sir, the state of our union is not strong.
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Dallas, Tex.:
GWB was at his best today, milking Sept. 11 to its fullest. A lot of jingoism and "feel good" rhetoric about the social security and the economy should keep most of us smiling till next year. Let' s get some details, Georgie boy! Some of us can't pretend things will fix themselves if you just wish them to be.
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Clayton, Mo.:
Great speech. Some bull. But otherwise quite good. Let's go after Iraq next, but not forget Enron. Let's help the afghan people, but not forget those Americans who work hard and are "nickeled and dimed."
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London, England:
Haven’t you guys learned anything from the past? Will only a cheating liar as president satisfy your egos?
I haven’t yet analyzed the speech yet (it is early morning here) but will do so in the morning through my recorded tape. There is one comment I can not resist. Whether the president will be able to achieve all his goals only time will tell but one thing is for sure this is the first time an American president stood on that podium and honestly believed in every word he delivered. If that’s not good enough for you Americans send him over here we’ll take him with both hands.
And by the way for those who remember Bill Clinton came into office with a rising economy which actually started in Bush Senior's administration and the recession started before he left office, so stay focused and think WHO exactly messed up here, do the math.
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Denver, COolo.:
We stand aghast when seeing images of leaders of certain nations speaking of the U.S. as the "Great Satan," yet wonder not at all how it is perceived throughout the rest of the world when our president stands before Congress for the most important speech of the year and labels Iran as a participant in an "axis of evil"? So much for trying to encourage the reformists who have been steadily increasing democracy, freedoms and links with the U.S. Americans haven't the slightest clue how arrogant such comments are perceived from the outside.
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Re: Send first few to Afghanistan:
As they tell us all the time, bud,
Love it or leave it.
If you don't like living in a country with freedom of speech, then leave it.
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Dubuque, Iowa:
How easy it is to complain about our government and criticize its leaders. I am apalled at some of the previous statements that criticized an easy target. Tell me this, what are you doing to improve this country. This country is a Democracy. If we as a group of people want to better our economy, we can. The recession of this country, the circumstances with which we live in, the way our government is run, are all directly consequent to the voice of the people. Why should we complain about the "corrupt" aspects of our country when we ourselves make the decisions. If you think we are powerless as individuals, you're wrong. Statistics show that 50 percent of all eligable voters voted for the 2000 elections. If the country is not going the way we want it, it is because of our own neglect. I am not even old enough to vote, but I understand that President Bush is focused on the good and welfare of the entire country, not just a certain populace. If you don't respect our President, remember that he was VOTED into office through an eclectorial system set up by the citizens of America. I think President Bush is doing an excellent job for the little power he is actually given.
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Boston, Mass.:
George Bush is a honest and sincere man who is doing the best job he can do as president. He may not be perfect, but he is human and is an American like the rest of us. Doing our best, leading the world. We do a lot of great things right, but cannot be expected to be perfect. I am proud to have him as my leader and the leader of this nation because he represents the spirit that we should all have.
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Winston Salem, N.C.:
What about ENRON? He didn't say a thing. We have to secure our country first, but the huge corporations that have infiltrated our government need to carry the tax burden for the extra security and the war. North Carolina has seen 12,000 laid off since Bush was elected. People are hurting. Tax payers are hurting. We don't want to hear that Enron and GE pay no taxes!
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Grafton, W.Va.:
I don't have any questions. He mentioned things I want like Social Security, drug prescriptions, economic stimulus, HMO reform, the enviorment, energy. The only trouble is I do not agree with the way he wants to achieve them. He didn't mention campaign finance reform.
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Atlanta, Ga.:
The Democratic response equated investing in stocks with gambling. Do they really think the 80 percent of Americans that own stocks which help build companies and create jobs are the same as people buying lottery tickets? Get a grip.
George Bush had it right. Let us take some of our money for Social Security and invest it responsibly in companies that will grow the county and also grow our retirement accounts. If the Democrats would like to invest their retirement at a paltry 2 percent return each year, let them have that option. But don't force it on me. I would rather invest my retirement money at the 10 percent historical rate of the stock market. This is not gambling. It is the only economically responsible way to go. -- PH
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Columbia, Md.:
Bush has no economic policy. All he can utter is the phrase "TAX CUTS"! When he thought we were going to have surpluses and his assumptions were that the economy was "strong," what was his response? "TAX CUTS!" When the economy started dipping, "TAX CUTS!" would avoid a recession, he said. Now that we are in a recession, what is the answer? "TAX CUTS!"
Well guess what? Now that he spent all of "our" money on tax cuts, where is he going to get the money for all of his defense spending? I'll tell you: From my grandfather's prescription drug benefit. Thanks W. Your insight is blinding me (and my grandfather can't buy groceries, but won't be getting a tax cut because his income is so low -- but not low enough for Medicaid eligibility). Is it 2004 yet?
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Re: We're at war:
Actually, we haven't declared war since World War II, so no, we are not in a war.
Poll results just on:
80 percent of people online tonight disapprove of Bush and the way he is handling things!
Those tuning in here tonight know the truth.
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Seattle, Wash./Re: Bush's State of the Union:
Comment really -- blatantly and transparently self-serving, dictated by Rove's sentiment that a perpetual war is good for the Republicans. I do hope my compatriots -- of either or any party -- are not quite as gullable or stupid!
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Blacksburg, Va.:
It was a fine speech. Yes, written by someone else (as most presidential speeches are) but delivered well by the president. It is irrelevant where Bush would be if not for Sept. 11. The fact is, he has come through and made all the right decisions in regard to protecting America and its people from terrorism. For those hung up on more about the economy, if we lose the war all your griping about the economy will be meaningless. We need to remain focused on winning this war.
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Dallas, Tex.:
I am not impressed. Tomorrow you will run a national poll about the speech and it will be an Orwellian fiction, like all the other lying polls with fictional, made-up numbers. Bush's speech utterly lacked vision and gravitas. A puppet for BIG OIL. Nothing more, nothing less. A shallow, hollow man who merely reads the teleprompter when cued by the networks. What is his foreign policy but WAR and more WAR? Is that the extent of the vision he has for America and the rest of the world? Is that America's gift to the rest of the planet: unending WAR? As for domestic policy, where is it? His so-called PATRIOT Act eviscerated the Bill of Rights and stripped Americans of many of their most sacred liberties and you sycophantic, brown nosing "wannabes" in the Washington press corps barely even remark on that dark reality, let alone raise a voice (or word processor) in protest. A nothing of a politician, rapidly morphing into a mentally weak, malapropian nobody of a president. America's little dictator with his little assistant-dictators Tom Ridge and Attorney Gauleiter John Ashcroft. Pitiful. And the national press corps doesn't say diddly squat about any of it. Unbelievable. You're like a bunch of Soviet-era Pravda apparatchiks -- with this minor difference: you drape yourself in the "stars and stripes" whereas the Soviets draped themselves in the "hammer and sickle."
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Morristown, N.J.:
The president did an excellent job tonight. If there was any doubt, just read some of these postings foaming at the mouth against him -- proof enough that he's saying the RIGHT thing.
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Havre, Mont.:
Is Bush now a Democrat? He hit on many many Democrat programs. Sounds like a snake oil salesman to me. He also insults the intelligence of the American people, and just wraps himself in the flag. Shame, Shame. Typical Bush M.O. the whole family, screw the people any way you can and wave the flag and anybody questioning or criticizing them is UnAmerican.
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New York, N.Y.:
He read a children story while our firemen went into hell to their deaths at Ground Zero. Where is the investigation into who was sleeping the months before and on Sept. 11? How did a plane fly past so many military air bases and hit the Pentagon some 40 minutes after the first plane hit the WTC? Who ignored all of the warnings that were giving us by our foreign friends? Where was the leader ship when it was really needed? State of our union, good question?
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Los Angeles, Calif.:
Didn't watch it, don't care. Though I vote out of principle, I know my voice won't count unless I form a corporation and donate huge sums of cash to the Republicans AND Democratic party.
Both are equally corrupt, both are equally irrelevant.
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St. Paul, Minn.:
Comment: George W. just seems to get stronger and more confident be the moment. I have become a fan!
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Houston, Tex.:
Bush brought up a good point when he said something like "Our top priority needs to be our security."
'
Well, if you had to choose between your "freedom" and your "security," which would you choose?
Without security, isn't your freedom constantly under threat and attack?
Without freedom, won't you either emigrate to a place where the American Dream lives on (because you know it will thrive wherever it is allowed to grow), or fight to the death to preserve it here, in the place where it was conceived and nurtured?
Taken from this perspective, The obvious #1 priority needs to be our freedom, not security. Bush, Ashcroft et al. are reducing our freedom and intend to continue doing so, as long as we let them. If the war on terror didn't start as a sham, it has certainly become one as we make ready to end the War without "ridding the world" of Osama and his pals. Kind of reminiscent of the way Dubya's Dad disengaged from Desert Storm, leaving Saddam Hussein in power to this day.
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McMinnville, Ore.:
Most likely the most reassuring State of the Union I have heard. President Bush comes across as believable and I have been impressed with his handling of this wartime recession thus far.
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Germantown, Md.:
Everyone says Bush did not address more toward our economy and geared more on the war effort.
I was just thinking: Did not Bush inherited this decaying economy from BILL CLINTON? As I recall as well, that if CLINTON had only actually taken care of Osama bin Laden when he first bombed our embassies, we would not be in this situation.
Wake up CLINTON SYMPATHISTS! STOP LIVING IN DENIAL!
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Austin, Tex.:
He used to be a snake as our governor here in Texas, and he's an even bigger snake in Washington. Although I found his speech and presentation to be somewhat inspiring, I think he only paid mere lip service and won't deliver the goods. Also, it's nice how he dodged the Enron scandal. Real clever politics.
Coy West
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Milford, Conn.:
Great job by our commander and chief! He did a wonderful job in this crisis period in our history. Keep up the great work. Tom
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Washington, D.C.:
While Bush was not bad rhetorically, he did not say anything that any competent person would have said. Looking at his domestic actions, it's clear that he is not on our side -- tax cuts and running up a deficit are not what America needs. It's really unfortunate that we don't have the leadership of President Clinton or Al Gore right now. We could really use it on the domestic front particularly.
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Fairfax, Va.:
So, the President's speech was jingoistic and lacking in content?
By jingoistic, I suppose that some of the commentators mean "blind patriotism expressing itself as hostility toward other countries." I would agree wholeheartedly, if it weren't for the fact that the countries mentioned tonight by name (Iran, Iraq, and North Korea) have by their actions proven to be hostile toward us and quite willing to give aid and comfort to those that would have our way of life exterminated. We can talk about jingoism (look up the word before you use it) if we ever decide to go to war with Canada because they won't let us fish in their waters.
Content? Like Clinton's speeches were ever overflowing with meaningful content? The purpose of the speech is to inspire and to set forth general goals, not to go into the fine details of how everything is to be executed. Think about it, why do lawyers make such good senators and representatives? That's right, because arguing about things in great detail happens to be their forté. When a new law can fill hundreds of pages, I think it a bit disingenuous to fault the president for not going into the "how's" in great detail.
Overall, the president's 40-minute speech did exactly what it was intended to do: express his ideas, sow seeds for thought over the coming year, and stir debate.
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Fort Lauderdale, Fla.:
After the "Contract ON America" and the Newt Gingrich years, the Republicans needed a cheerleader. And they got one! One of Dubya's greatest accomplishments before he was appointed to the presidency was the Yale Cheerleading Squad. So many people here tonight apparently are more impressed with flash than substance and many are not particularly well informed if they think he is great. To the "Semper Fi" guy -- you may follow into a fox hole but I bet you a million dollars you'd never be able to follow him out. Wasn't he AWOL from the Texas National Guard for 16 months? YES! He was. God save America from the uninformed.
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Seattle, Wash.:
I thought this was a comment section.
My commment is I thought President Bush's speech was excellent. If follow in the House and Senate many of the problems effecting out nation and the world will be getting solved.
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Re: I got $600:
I'm sure it helped. Don't you think you deserve more like, oh, $1.6 billion, like IBM will recieve? I do. I think all of us deserve more, and corporations deserve less.
Bush is on the corporations' side. "Pay attention" is the theme of most who aren't rah rah Bush tonight.
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Tacoma, Wash.:
I thought the president was real in his speach. I din't hear him read a story with his head half cocked or bobslinging back and forth wimpering. He made his speach beliveable and with humble determination!
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St. Louis, Mo.:
I support the war on terrorism and the Freedom Corps. Although perhaps I would not agree with the details on the expansion of the Defense Department's budget, I do quite strongly agree on major increases for Homeland Security. But as I listened to the middle part of the speech with the laundry list of domestic "wants," I fail to see how we can support all of these expenditures with a continuing tax cut. This is my question.
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washingtonpost.com:
Still working on posting a last couple of batches of submissions, but we're closing the forum now. Please feel free to check back, and remember to send further comments to tomorrow's discussion and analysis with Post associate editor Robert G. Kaiser. It's now after 11 p.m. EST, so any further submissions will be kept and directed to that discussion tomorrow. Thanks.
San Francisco, Calif.:
Bush is just a lucky person:
1: He wasn't really elected as president but installed by the Republicans to be one.
2. If not for Sept. 11 incident, his job ratings would be surely negative.
I think he doen't know how to handle or revive the economy. This is what matters to me as a laid-off employee. Unlike the Clinton years. He fooled around alright but he knows what he is doing as far as the economy is concerned.
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Oxnard, Calif.:
He reminded me of Ken Lay telling people that his company was doing well while selling his own personal stock. Bush like Kenny Boy is trying to convince people that the company or in this case, the country has never been better.
If you believe that I have some Enron stock to sell you.
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Alpharetta, Ga.:
I guess the right wing just can't let go of Bill Clinton as the root of all evil -- even from London. It's so much easier to see the world in black and white, as that absolves us of the challenge and responsibility to actually think about complex issues. Let me just caution that a sincerely delivered speech does not earn absolute support of anything the man holds as an objective.
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Milford, Mich.:
This is in response to Germantown, Md.
If you want to explore history, why don't you check out the rise of Osama Bin Laden and W's father, our first President Bush? Watch where you head with that if you're such a Bushie loyalist.
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Kaysville, Utah:
I wanted to hear a promise in the State of the Union address to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil exploration and drilling. I heard none of that which was a big disappointment.
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Baltimore, Md.:
After reading through the many "comments" rendered this evening, I conclude that a certain degree of normalcy among the people is evident. They read a lot like the mid-late-'90s. Our military are serving us well as are the home forces. Economically, we are struggling, but not totally threatened with a monstrous depression. This does contrast with a high-flying economy of the previous decade, but honest and level headed people recognize these episodes of "bubble economies" do indeed burst.
Hard work, sputtering and much huffing and puffing among the politicans may result in the survival of everyone's pet idea, project, plan, program, or even in our election process.
On balance I give a grade of B- to all the politicans serving the people of the United States of America.
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Memphis, Tenn.:
Isn't this the same military that Bush was saying during the campaign, that if called upon, they would have to say "not ready, sir."
Looks like they were more than ready, and have done a great job. I give our military an A+ and Bush a C for his SOTU speech.
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washingtonpost.com:
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