Bush to Set Re-Election Themes in Speech (advance text)

[Robb]

Bush to Set Re-Election Themes in Speech

(snip)

"America this evening is a nation called to great responsibilities," the president said. "And we are rising to meet them. ... We have not come all this way _ through tragedy and trial and war _ only to falter and leave our work unfinished."

(snip)

"America is on the offensive against the terrorists," Bush said.

"Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since Sept. 11, 2001 _ over two years without an attack on American soil _ and it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting and false."

He said his administration was confronting nations that harbor and support terrorists and can supply them with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. "Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better," Bush said.

The president defended his decisions to go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. "The work of building a new Iraq is hard and it is right," he said. "And America has always been willing to do what it takes for what is right."


(Edited for white space)

[stevedeshazer]

1. Mighty short speech.

So, that's all?

<snip>

He said his administration was confronting nations that harbor and support terrorists and can supply them with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. "Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better," Bush said.
_________________________________________________________________

Better call the networks and let them know the SOTU will only be thirty seconds long.

[Qutzupalotl]

8. Plus 40 minutes for applause.

Hope he gets crickets.

[Timefortruth]

2. The essence of the speech will be that he hasn't made us safe at

all. But if America elects him then he will continue to cause fear in the heartland.

What a cheerful thought.

Wonder if we'd be safer if we had allies, silly thought I guess.

[hatrack]

3. "America, the time to start being afraid is NOW!"

"I call on all Americans who love freedom to start being really, really frightened of terrorism RIGHT NOW in order to beat the pre-election rush."

[Robb]

4. Doesn't that bit remind you of those worker safety signs?

"Over (61 crossed out) *2* years without an attack on American soil!" :D

[Newsjock]

5. Expanded speech excerpts

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/US/Politics/Bush_State_of_Union_transcript_040120-1.html

"America this evening is a nation called to great responsibilities. And we are rising to meet them."

"We have not come all this way, through tragedy, and trial, and war, only to falter and leave our work unfinished. Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and they expect the same of us."

"Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11, 2001, over two years without an attack on American soil, and it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting and false."

"America is on the offensive against the terrorists …"

"As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes that harbor and support terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons?"

"Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better."

"The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror."

"The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America has always been willing to do what it takes for what is right."

"America's growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology transforms the way almost every job is done, America becomes more productive, and workers need new skills. We must respond by helping more Americans gain the skills to find good jobs in our new economy."

"On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care costs."

more

[Robb]

6. Hey, question:

How bad does he have to flub this speech in order for AP et al to run a correction? This Nostrodamus reporting always has me a little edgy....

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. "As part of the offensive against terror,

we are also confronting the regimes that harbor and support terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons?"

... by which I mean, we could supply the regimes with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, if they agree to let us have bases in their countries ...

[Qutzupalotl]

9. I thought they already did that...?

"On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care costs."

[The Stranger]

10. Paraphrased:

"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, It is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."

Hermann Goering at the Nuremberg trials, 1946.