President Bush Gives an Emotional State of the Union Address

Tonight, on January 23, 2007 President Bush gave his annual State of the Union Address to the nation. His speech tonight marked the sixth time that he has given a State of the Union Address. His speech tonight however, was unlike anything the American public has seen before. As President Bush's approval ratings were dropping and at an all-time low at 34%, the president knew that he had to make a good speech. And he did exactly that.

The president started his speech with a congratulation of Democrat Nancy Pelosi becoming the first female Speaker of the House. Then President Bush started into his speech for his agenda in the upcoming year. For about the first forty minutes of his speech, the president focused on the national domestic agenda. This included his proposals for alternative fuel sources so that the United State becomes less dependant of foreign oil. His speech may have received disapproval from his own Republican Party as some Republicans are against alternative fuel ideas. This idea of alternative fuel is an idea shared by many Democrats and has a strong chance of being passed.

Then the president went onto his agenda for improving health insurance. Here, the Democrats refused to applaud his proposals which called for tax free health care controlled by patients and doctors. The president also gave an average savings for a family of four making $60,000 which would come to around $4,500.

As a side note in the president's speech, he acknowledged the presence of global warming which he referred to as global climate change. Previously the president and Vice President Chaney had refused to acknowledge that such a presence even existed.

Moving onto terrorism and the war in Iraq, the President was not well received by the Democratic Party. Although the president acknowledged the previous plan in Iraq was failing, he maintained his position that an increase in troop levels will improve the situation. He also linked together terrorism with Iraq. Previously the president had put them as two different and separate issues. The president referenced terrorism around the world and how intelligence forces have stopped numerous sleeper cells from terrorist plots. The president also stated that the situation in Iraq is escalating despite the free elections in the country. As the president stated, extremists from Shiite and Sunni Muslims are fighting each other and death squads are eliminating people. Order must be restored to the country. The president also mentioned Afghanistan and the recent attacks on American troops by the Taliban. Still, President Bush maintained the position that American troops were needed around the world to take the battle to the terrorists. He also mentioned the terrorist group of Hezbollah and warned the country of Iran by stating that there would be consequences for helping terrorists infiltrate Iraq and kill innocent people.

Finally, in a rare bit of emotion, the President mentioned different heroes in attendance at his speech to show the courage of Americans. He first mentioned basketball player Dikembe Mutombo who has donated millions of dollars in his own money to build a hospital in his native land of the Congo. As the president mentioned his name, Mutombo stood and waved his hand to the crowd. Then the president mentioned a woman who has found the cure for malaria in countries that do not have the vaccines to cure people. Finally, he mentioned a man named Autrey who was a hero in New York City after he leaped onto the train tracks with an approaching train coming at him after a man had fainted. Autrey saved the man's life as they rolled safely under the platform as the train passed by. Autrey put on a real display for the crowd as he gave thumbs up sign, blew kisses to the crowd, and waved enthusiastically. The last person that was mentioned was a man who received the Silver Star award for taking several bullets to protect a fellow comrade in battle and then saving the rest of his soldiers, a true act of heroism. These acts of courage were a rare sight by the president to acknowledge and showed a personal side to the president.

When the President was done with his speech, he said that America is strong and in good shape for the future. He left the podium amongst a standing ovation from Congress.