Jim Webb Gives the Democratic Response to the State of the Union Address

Tonight on January 23, 2007 President Bush gave his annual State of the Union Address. This marked the president's sixth State of the Union Address. President Bush had also given a speech addressing the nation day days before in which he announced his plans to increase troop levels in Iraq by about 20,000 troops. Tonight, only minutes after the president gave his lengthy State of the Union Address that lasted about an hour, the newly elected senator from Virginia, Jim Webb gave the Democratic response to the president's speech on live air time.

In Jim Webb's speech, he talked about many of the main points of President Bush's speech that he agreed with such as the energy plan and insurance. The Democratic Party favors finding alternative energy sources for fuel instead of relying heavily on oil demand from foreign countries. Health insurance was also a big issue that was discussed at length by the senator.

Towards the end of the speech, Jim Webb could not sign off before attacking the president for his failures in Iraq. Senator Jim Webb started off by showing a picture of his father who served in the Korean War. Then he talked about his own service to his country in the Vietnam War. He also talked about his own son who is currently serving in Iraq today. Jim Webb's point was that American boys and girls are risking their lives and this war has been badly mismanaged by the president and the government. The troops expect the government to carry out a well laid out plan and the president has failed to do this.

Jim Webb stated that the Democratic Party has been given a rental of Congress for two years and he quoted past American leaders like Theodore Roosevelt in his speech. Jim Webb's speech was concise and to the point and provided a voice for the Democratic Party. Jim Webb also mentioned the 100 hour plan of the Democrats and how the party plans of bringing change to the country.

The previous speech that was made by President Bush about the increase in troop levels received a response by the Democratic Party as well. However, after that speech the majority leader and Senator Harry Reid of Nevada responded.

Jim Webb has only been senator for a month yet he looked cool, calm and collected as he made his speech to the nation. Typically the response by the opposing party is written in advance because there is so little time to prepare after the president's speech has been made.