Live Blogging: State of the Union Address

Tonight is President Bush’s last State of the Union Address. We will cover the speech and Democratic response following the address. The State of the Union begins at 9pm/eastern.

Click Here for Live Blogging of the Democrat Response given By Kathleen Sebelius.

10:03 - God Bless America! 70 rounds of applause and 53 minutes later GWB is finished.

9:59 - Must increase funding for war veterans. Wants to help wounded warriors…gives shout out to Bob Dole and his work towards accomplishing this. Wants troops to be able to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses or children. Honors military again, especially their supportive families.

9:57 - America opposes genocide in Sudan. I wish I had a free hand to access the DVR, but oh well, he is talking too fast. America is fighting global hunger. Asks for crops to be bought from farmers in the struggling countries to feed their impoverished citizens to help stop the cycle of famine. Calls for more funding for development to fight HIV/AIDS.

9:55 - GWB thankful that we have avoided terrorist attacks here in the States since 9/11. Talks of foiled attempts that were stopped by many hard working government employees. Calls again for tools to be able to stop terrorist attacks. References Patriot Act and needs to track terrorists via communications. “The time to act is now.” Half the gallery stands to applaud. You can guess which side.

9:52 - Bush calls for a world where Palestine and Israel live side-by-side in peace. Accuses Iran of supporting terrorists in Iraq and developing nuclear weapons. Bush’s message to people of Iran: We have no problem with you. To the leaders of Iran: Come clean on nuclear development, stop your impression, cease support for terror and if not we will confront you by all means necessary.

9:47 - 20,000 troops coming home. Goes on to talk about slow removal of troops from area and back to States. Further draw-downs will depend upon advice from Generals on the ground. National government in Iraq is now sharing oil revenues with the providences. Big step, reconciliation is starting to take form. Iraqi’s slowly taking grasp of their future. Bush goes on to talk about what a free Iraq will show the rest of the world. We won’t rest until the enemy is defeated. Seems I might have heard this one from George before. Has he really not slept in the past six years?

9:44 - GWB speaks directly to women and men on the front lines. Thanks them again for all they have done. Makes solemn pledge for Nation to give them ALL they need to protect our nation. Standing O from everyone on both sides of the aisle. Not totally sure if Teddy made it up…but that takes time you know.

9:40 - Thanks the Congress for support in defeating Taliban in Afghanistan. What? No thank you to Toby Keith? He is going to be miffed. If you ever get a chance listen to Toby’s song ‘The Taliban Song’. You will get a good laugh unless you are watching it in a cave with bearded friends. Bush goes on to give supreme thanks and gratitude to troops defending us overseas against evil. GWB speaks several minutes about how successful the U.S. and Iraqi surge has been over the past year. Bush making strong case the great improvement in Iraq. Bush is speaking towards his legacy at this point.

9:38 - Moves to ‘War on Terror’ and promises to deliver justice to our enemies. Pedal to the medal or neck as has been his mantra. Talks of how when given a choice people choose democracy over terrorism and that’s why the terrorists are fighting as hard as they can to stop the process in Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

9:36 - Talks about border control/security. Says border patrol troops will be doubled this year but the problem will never fully be ceased unless there is a legal way for immigrants to come here and support our economy. I think Cheney is rubbing Pelosi’s leg under the lectern. She is playing it cool though.

9:33 - Announces that the North American Summit between U.S., Mexico and Canada will be hosted in New Orleans. Reaffirms commitment to rebuild Gulf Coast. Asks for Congress to help save Social Security and come up with a bi-partisan agreement to do it.

9:30 - So far I believe his speech has been fair to both parties. The issues are almost all campaign issues and should be good fodder for those running. Bush shows openness to using embryonic stem cells since now it is looking as if they can be obtained without using fetuses. Calls for ban on cloning of human life. Does that mean there will be no more W’s?

9:28 - We must reduce our oil dependency. States we must maximize coal power and emissions free nuclear power. Battery technology and new fuels should be used. Geez! Energizer and Duracell are loving this speech. I keep waiting for their ad to scroll across the bottom of the screen. GWB calls for end of greenhouse gases. Must have cleaner energy and technology. Come on now, that ain’t the American dream Georgie.

9:25 - Must work to break down trade barriers. GWB says new free trade agreements are essential to helping our economy and country. Must have agreements where our products enter foreign countries duty free the same way that other countries products enter our country duty free. We must show rest of the world that democracy leads to a better life. Amen!

9:22 - States no one can deny the success of the ‘No Child Left Behind Act’. A bi-partisan achievement that all should be applauded for. Asks support for new Pell Grant program to help poor children escape failing public schools.

9:20 - Asks for for tax free bonds for homeowners to refinance their mortgages. Makes a plea to help home owners keep their homes. GWB states goal of making health care available and affordable for all Americans. Says the way to do it is through consumer choice not government choice. He asks for an end to the bias towards those who get their health care through their employer.

9:18 - GWB says his new budget will eliminate 151 wasteful programs and that it is important for the government to balance the budget. Bush threatens to veto any budget bill sent him that has excessive ear marks. He says all ear marks should be voted on and approved by Congress and not attached at the last minute to sneak them through.

9:15 - GWB talks of the tax rebates that are expiring and pokes fun at those calling for nothing to be done to renew them. Jokes that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders. GWB asks to make the tax relief permanent. Vows to veto any tax increase that reaches his desk.

9:12 - A couple of lame intro jokes to make sure everyone is comfortable in their seats. Talk about trusting people with their own money to grow the economy. GWB hints at slowly incoming, high oil prices, and concern of economic feature. Dick and Nancy would make a rather nice couple.

9:09 - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi politely introduces Bushie to the audience. And Georgie is off and running with the speech.

9:05 - And her comes the Commander in Chief. Lot’s of handshakes, fake smiles. Even his daughters are applauding him. G.W. even signed an autograph on his walk down the aisle. Trademark blue tie. Barack Obama is standing right next to his new best buddy Ted Kennedy. Teddy just endorsed Barack yesterday for President.

9:00 - Everyone is waiting on the President to show up. Hopefully he is not stuck in the bathroom.

8:55 PM - The chamber is starting to fill up. Everyone is waiting upon the President. The members of the Supreme Court are being announced upon their filing in to the room. This will be President Bush’s seventh State of the Union address. Both of the President’s daughters and his wife are in attendance.

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January 28, 2008 | Filed Under President Bush 

Posted by: Joshua Holmes

Comments

One Response to “Live Blogging: State of the Union Address”

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