The State of the Union

This is the companion to last week's foreign policy address. Bush looks a lot more comfortable; a much better speaker than before. Remember, he is really a domestic policy president who was plunged into a foreign policy crisis.

Democrats are grumbling, like House of Commons members, when he talks about a social security crisis. That doesn't make them look good. The battle lines are clearly drawn. The Democrats seem to be united, but Bush has laid a trap. He tells Congress that they will have to figure out just what kinds of reforms will be implemented, and simultaneously reminds them that they are on the record regarding the crisis from back when Clinton tried to get something going. In essence, during the coming debate many Democrats will either have to break with the party line or be put in the embarrassing position of contradicting their own past positions. The Republicans will have a field day with this.

"Human life will never be bought or sold as a commodity." Judicial nominations deserve an up or down vote. He's not backing off. He's taking the fight to them. This is shaping up to be an interesting year in congress.

Laura will head up a faith friendly initiative to reach out to inner city youths. AIDS money, targeted at African-American men and women. Expand use of DNA evidence. Special training for defense counsel in capital cases. Going after the black vote.

"Freedom from fear." Now he's on foreign policy accomplishments. "We will stay on the offensive." Lists multinational initiatives -- building coalitions -- we're not "unilateral," really we're not. Reiterates "force of human freedom -- support democratic movements everywhere -- The US has no right, no desire, and no intention to force our form of government on anyone else." This is a crucial point Bush has been constant on, but which has eluded his critics.

"Landmark events in the history of liberty." Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine. He highlights Condi's trip. Money for Palestinian reforms. We are plunging into that mess again. Calls for democratic reforms in Arabia and Egypt. Confront Syria on support of terrorism, Iran on nuclear weapons, terror. Message for Iranian democratic reformers, we are with you.

Flypaper theory on Iraq involvement. Fight them there, not here. We are on the side of the Iraqi people. Republicans are showing fingers of freedom [yes really! What dangers did they face?]. Congratulations to the Iraqi voters. "They have earned the respect of us all." Saddam was the "real occupation." Safia is sitting next to Laura, flashes the "V for victory" sign. Nice touch. The gallery rises. Great moment for Bush. Good. He deserves it. He's fought through a lot of crap to get to this moment.

New phase of work in Iraq. We will focus more on training than fighting. Vietnamization? "Our committment remains firm and unchanging." This does not signal a pullout. No artificial timetable YAY! Take that, Kennedy.

Kudos for the troops -- they've earned it. Committment to help disabled veterans. Parents of a dead marine. Mother embraces Safia, Laura looks on. Mother gives Safia her dead son's dogtags. Great moment! The applause goes on and on. No promise of death benefits, though. Reference to FDR, to abolitionists, WWII, fall of communism. Road of progress leads to freedom. Nice ending.

All in all a damn good speech. Link to the transcript here.

Bush is riding a wave. But it won't last. Tomorrow it's back to business as usual.

Prediction: Iraq will recede from the headlines, just like Afghanistan. It's too clearly a winner for Bush. The media spotlight will be focused intensely on social security. That's where the Democrats will make their next stand in their long, bitter retreat.