January 28, 2008
Liveblogging President Bush's Final State Of The Union Address
End note. SOTU affairs are always a laundry list, and few expect them to deliver poetry. This year's address (full text) did lack the rhetorical punch of previous years, particularly Bush's first SOTU address following 9/11, which received very high marks.
If there is one character trait that describes this president, it is determination-bordering-on-
stubbornness. He has largely ignored polls and the punditry, and he only changed tacks in Iraq when the calls for a change in course permeated his own administration. Plenty of Americans didn't tune in to this speech tonight, on the assumption Bush is a lame duck. That is probably not the case, at least as far as the legislature is concerned.
With his veto threat and the executive order coming Tuesday, Bush is asserting himself in a dramatic way. The rate of federal spending under Bush's watch is triple that of the Clinton administration. That Bush is positioning himself to put a foot down on pork-barrel spending was pretty unexpected in his final year in office. We'll be watching to see how it pans out.
As for Bush's various claims in tonight's speech, NPR's reporters have been posting fact checks all evening. See their corrections on the tax cuts, FISA, Iraq and entitlement reform. Good night.
10:27. A somewhat unexpected criticism of the president here: "In spite of the attempts to convince us that we are divided as a people, a new American majority has come together. We are tired of leaders who rather than asking what we can do for our country, ask nothing of us at all.
"We are Americans sharing a belief in something greater than ourselves, a nation coming together to meet challenges and find solutions; to share sacrifices and share prosperity; and focus, once again, not only on the individual good but on the common good."
It should come as little surprise that Sebelius has endorsed Barack Obama. This speech reflects Democrats' palpable eagerness to move the country well away from the Bush era.
10:22. Sebelius calls on Bush to do something about uninsured Americans and the environment.
Mayors and governors across the country are taking the initiative on climate change in the absence of federal action. Sebelius is one of them, and she notes that a majority in Congress is on her side. "So we ask you, Mr. President, will you join us? It's time to get to work."
And on the war: "Our capable and dedicated soldiers can't solve the political disputes where they are, and can't focus on the real enemies elsewhere. The new Democratic majority of Congress and the vast majority of Americans are ready -- ready to chart a new course. If more Republicans in Congress stand with us this year, we won't have to wait for a new president to restore America's role in the world and fight a more effective war on terror."
10:16. Tonight's Democratic response is being delivered by Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who is popular in her largely Republican state.
"The American people -- folks like you, and me -- are not nearly as divided as our rancorous politics might suggest," she says. "In fact, right now, tonight, as political pundits discuss the president's speech, chances are they'll obsess over the reactions of members of Congress.
"'How many times was the president interrupted by applause? Did Republicans stand? Did Democrats sit?' And the rest of us will roll our eyes and think, 'What in the world does any of that have to do with me?'"
Good point. The post-speech chatter is typical Beltway fodder, and it's doubtful anyone else in this country plays SOTU drinking games or gets the thrill out of this evening that Washingtonians do.
10:13. First reaction e-mail in my inbox courtesy of Larry "I'm Still Here" Craig.
"I question whether handing out cash for Americans to spend is the best way to stimulate our economy," reads the press release, in reference to the stimulus package. "While our economy is not in a recession yet, we do need to consider how best to turn it around."
10:08. And it's over. Bush is slowly making his way back up the aisle, which is crowded with autograph-seeking lawmakers. Half the people in this room sort of loathe or at least have said very mean things about this president. This is super-tacky.
10:05. Grading the rhetoric, there were no "axis of evil" moments here, which was expected. Bush's closing is as good as it gets.
"By trusting the people, our Founders wagered that a great and noble nation could be built on the liberty that resides in the hearts of all men and women. By trusting the people, succeeding generations transformed our fragile young democracy into the most powerful nation on earth and a beacon of hope for millions," Bush says. "And so long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the State of our Union will remain strong. So tonight, with confidence in freedom's power, and trust in the people, let us set forth to do their business."
10:03. By the way, looks like Republicans are acceding to Democrats' demands (subscription) for yet another temporary extension of FISA. That applause was for show!
9:59. Another moment for bipartisan unity, courtesy of veterans' care.
"Over the past seven years, we have increased funding for veterans by more than 95 percent. As we increase funding, we must also reform our veterans system to meet the needs of a new war and a new generation," Bush says, before asking Congress to enact the recommended reforms of a commission led by Bob Dole and Donna Shalala following the Walter Reed scandal.
9:56. Roars from the GOP on Bush's calls for lawmakers to push through permanent FISA legislation. A temporary overhaul is due to expire Feb. 1, but Democratic lawmakers want more time to hammer out differences with the opposition.
"This means that if you do not act by Friday, our ability to track terrorist threats would be weakened and our citizens will be in greater danger," Bush says. "We have had ample time for debate. The time to act is now."
9:50. And here's why Congress will ultimately give Bush what he wants in terms of war funding:
"The enemy has made its intentions clear. At a time when the momentum seemed to favor them, al-Qaida's top commander in Iraq declared that they will not rest until they have attacked us here in Washington. My fellow Americans: We will not rest either. We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated."
The number of lawmakers who don't stand up and applaud the president can be counted on one hand.
9:45. A high point for this speech and this president is the military success of the counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq. But he acknowledges he can't take credit.
"This evening, I want to speak directly to our men and women on the front lines. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen: In the past year, you have done everything we have asked of you, and more. Our nation is grateful for your courage. We are proud of your accomplishments. And tonight in this hallowed chamber, with the American people as our witness, we make you a solemn pledge: In the fight ahead, you will have all you need to protect our nation. And I ask the Congress to meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops."
Again, it's an election year. The Democratic-led Congress will almost certainly not withhold funding, but they will likely stall on appropriations bills in their so-far fruitless quest for timelines.
9:41. It really does say something about the current political climate that it's taken this long for Bush to get to the war on terror. But get to it he does, with all the resolve of previous years.
"We are engaged in the defining ideological struggle of the 21st century. The terrorists oppose every principle of humanity and decency that we hold dear," Bush says. "Yet in this war on terror, there is one thing we and our enemies agree on: In the long run, men and women who are free to determine their own destinies will reject terror and refuse to live in tyranny.... And that is why, for the security of America and the peace of the world, we are spreading the hope of freedom."
That is the gigantic question mark hanging over this president's head. He says history will bear out the true wisdom of his foreign policy judgments. In a new poll (subscription), about seven in 10 Americans have already voted Bush the worst POTUS in recent memory.
9:39. Bush challenges lawmakers to send him Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid reform. Probably won't happen this election year, though.
9:37. Nod to N'awlins: This year's North American Summit will be held there.
9:34. One remarkable thing about this president that he gets little credit for is his softening stance on global warming. That's for a variety of reasons, some of which are quite legitimate. But it is a definite change from the skepticism that colored his there's-no-proof stance when he entered office in 2001.
"Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources," Bush says. "And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases."
9:31. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is doing a poor job of hiding the fact that she is reading the SOTU program instead of pretending to pay rapt attention to this speech. C'mon, he's still the president!
9:27. For a variety of reasons, some Democrats and a growing number of Republicans are giving free trade and globalization a bad name. As the global economy changes, and new powers (think China, India) emerge, growing pains are inevitable. This can't be blamed on President Bush, yet a burgeoning isolationist movement threatens to be another component of his (so far) unhappy legacy.
Bush has been nagging Congress all year to OK new trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. "The first agreement that will come before you is with Colombia, a friend of America that is confronting violence and terror and fighting drug traffickers," Bush says. "If we fail to pass this agreement, we will embolden the purveyors of false populism in our hemisphere. So we must come together, pass this agreement, and show our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life."
Wild applause on the GOP side.
9:25. This is how Bush couched his latest faith-based initiative: "We have seen how Pell Grants help low-income college students realize their full potential. Together, we have expanded the size and reach of these grants. Now let's apply that same spirit to help liberate poor children trapped in failing public schools."
As with many of his faith-based initiatives, which have usually been tied to aiding the disadvantaged, it will be somewhat difficult for Democrats to argue against this one. On church-state separation principle, they will do so anyhow.
9:24. Per Atlantic Media colleague and weekly radio partner Kellie Lunney: Joseph Biden is seated next to Clinton. Guess we know who he's endorsing...
9:22. Here's the direct challenge to pork-loving lawmakers we were expecting: "Last year, I asked you to voluntarily cut the number and cost of earmarks in half. I also asked you to stop slipping earmarks into committee reports that never even come to a vote. Unfortunately, neither goal was met.
"So this time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut the number and cost of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my veto. And tomorrow, I will issue an executive order that directs federal agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted on by the Congress. If these items are truly worth funding, the Congress should debate them in the open and hold a public vote."
9:19. Democrats don't own the snicker game. Vice President Dick Cheney, seated behind Bush to the left, ripped one out in what seemed like anticipation of this very good zinger on the tax cuts: "Others have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm, and I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders."
The first partisan applause reaction of the night: half the chamber standing up and cheering, the other half remaining seated and probably, well, snickering.
9:17. Per Wonkette: Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne will pick up the pieces if the unimaginable happens tonight.
9:15. First partisan snicker caught on tape of the evening, courtesy of House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. The chamber showed unity after Bush warned lawmakers off "loading up" the economic stimulus package. And then he called on lawmakers to make his tax cuts permanent.
"Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase," Bush said.
Cut to Rangel: *snicker*
9:12. Of the economic and security challenges that this country has faced: "These issues call for vigorous debate, and I think it's fair to say we've answered that call. Yet history will record that amid our differences, we acted with purpose."
And in a nod to this election year, which Gillespie acknowledged earlier gives Bush until this summer to get any work done, "Let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. And let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time."
Vigorous, bipartisan applause.
9:09. Per Jim Lehrer, this is the first time the Bush twins have attended a SOTU address. Lest anyone think the very-last-one significance of tonight is lost on President Bush.
9:07. New BFFs Barack Obama and Edward Kennedy are sitting together. Who's sitting next to Hillary Rodham Clinton?
9:05. Bush has arrived. This must be the most fun part of the evening for him. There is handshaking, hugging, autograph-giving, cheek-kissing -- dare we say: love?
9:00. The Bush ladies -- Jenna, Barbara and Laura -- are in the house.
The Cabinet is, too. We were foolishly watching on C-SPAN, which has no commentary. We are usually grateful for that but we missed who the lucky (or unlucky) Cabinet member is who got to stay home in case disaster strikes. Help?
8:58. The Supremes are here: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, both Bush nominees, among them. Bush is expected to scold Democrats on holding up judicial appointments tonight.
8:55. Welcome to our liveblog coverage of President Bush's final State of the Union address. According to a press briefing with White House counselor Ed Gillespie earlier today, Bush will not propose many bold, sweeping, new initiatives this evening. Plenty of Americans are impatient for this president to exit the White House, already. But he is going to set out to prove that he cannot, and should not, be ignored this year.
For one, Bush is expected to lay down the gauntlet on earmarks tonight. Shaky economies are the bane of incumbent presidents, and this president, already very unpopular, is no exception. But he is going to remind lawmakers that balanced budgets are a two-way street. Democratic lawmakers fault Bush's tax cuts for the ballooning deficit, estimated to hit $250 billion this year. Bush will announce an executive order, to be signed tomorrow, instructing all federal agencies and departments to ignore earmarks not voted into law. He will also instruct Congress to slash future earmark appropriations by 50 percent or face a presidential veto.
This is a fiscal conservative's dream come true, so expect rousing applause from Republicans, as well as some from the Democratic side of the aisle.
President Bush will also repeat calls for the Senate to get on board with an economic stimulus deal reached by the administration and House leaders last week. His approval ratings remain stuck in the mud despite improving conditions in Iraq and an economy that up until a few months ago was quite robust. Economists agree that Bush can't fairly be blamed for the housing bust or the looming recession, yet his unpopularity is such that fingers point to him for just about anything that goes wrong in this country.
One of the more controversial proposals Bush will front tonight would set aside $300 million in grants for children wishing to switch from failing public schools to "faith-based" or religious schools. Under the Republican-led Congress, Bush was able to get his faith-based initiatives through. It's not clear he'll get his way in this Congress, however, which is threatening not to renew his No Child Left Behind Act.
Lawmakers are already convened in the House chamber. Refresh early and often for updates.
Posted at 10:47 PM
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Barack Obama, Bush Administration, Campaigns, Climate Change, Congress, Democrats, Economy, Hillary Rodham Clinton, House, Iraq, Middle East, Military, President Bush, Senate, Taxes, Terrorism, Trade, Veterans, WH 2008
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