Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                            Bridget Brown    Matthew Dulin 
Ray Hafner                  Geronimo Rodriguez                Lisa Street

President Bush's State of the Union delivered on Jan. 28, 2003 greeted Congress, and the American public, with an ominous tone.

"This year, we gather in this chamber deeply aware of decisive days that lie ahead," he said a year ago.

He went on to laud tax cuts, adding that he would improve the economy "immediately." He also uttered phrases like, "We seek peace." One thing he promised then has undeniably come true: Saddam Hussein has been ousted. But peace? With 500 dead after the "end of major combat operations," peace is a far cry from what we've seen.

He also called for energy interdependence and urged for federal funds to spur research in engines powered by hydrogen. He also asked Congress to commit billions of dollars to programs aimed at eliminating AIDS in Africa. 

Remember that speech?

Maybe the memories are coming back to you now.

This year, Bush's 5,238 words in Tuesday's State of the Union began with a different tone.

"America this evening is a nation called to great responsibilities. And we are rising to meet them," he said, padded by luxurious applause. His smirk told of a president confident in his own re-election.

Among those responsibilities, Bush noted the War on Terror, the economy, education and health care reform. 

He continues to speak as though the War on Terror has a definitive ending -- one he presumes to be the routing of known terror groups like al-Qaida and the installation of democratic institutions throughout the Middle East. In so many ways, it seems the War on Terror simply became another name for the War on Iraq.

Support was cleanly divided down the middle Tuesday night, and at one point boos competed with Bush's voice as he urged for permanent tax cuts. 

With Saddam's capture under his belt and the economy showing signs of improvement, Bush will be hard to beat in November.
 

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