Newspapers, Organizations Respond to State of the Union Address
Several newspapers and organizations responded today to President Bush's State of the Union speech.
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Albany Times Union: As Bush said last night that he wants to enact legislation to help unemployed workers obtain health insurance, the editorial says it is "puzzling" why he has been unable to pass such a plan yet. The editorial adds, "Mr. Bush should be open to other ideas, but resolute in fulfilling the goals he's set for himself" (Albany Times Union, 1/30).
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Chicago Sun-Times: Bush's speech "successfully balanced the demands of the war against pressing needs at home," including the need for a Medicare prescription drug benefit, the editorial says (Chicago Sun-Times, 1/30).
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Des Moines Register: Bush outlined an "ambitious agenda" that includes extending health coverage to the unemployed and passing a Medicare prescription drug benefit, but the editorial says it is "hard to see" how the president can fulfill the promise of "small and short-term" budget deficits, given that he also called for making more tax cuts (Des Moines Register, 1/30).
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Detroit Free Press: Bush's plan to help the unemployed with health costs will resonate with Americans who are concerned about the economy, the editorial says, but adds that the plan and his other domestic goals will "cause debate" and "probably aren't affordable" (Detroit Free Press, 1/30).
- Minneapolis Star-Tribune: In the debates that will likely occur over Bush's $190 billion, 10-year plan to reform Medicare, the first question that should be asked is, "Where will he get the money," the editorial says (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 1/30).
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New York Times: Bush last night adopted Democrats' calls to increase spending on domestic defense, including measures to prevent bioterrorism, the editorial says. His argument for increasing such spending -- that the increased funds would "improv[e]" health care -- "echo[ed]" those of his "former opponents." The editorial adds that the request for more spending on domestic defense is an "easy reach" for the president, who may find that Congress is actually willing to spend more on domestic security than he is. The editorial concludes that Bush "made it sound as if Americans could have it all: spending on defense, domestic security, social programs and tax cuts. If the economy is headed in the right direction, the public may be happy to go along with such a pain-free agenda. But the test of [Bush's] leadership will come when he better defines the difficult choices lying ahead" (New York Times, 1/30).
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USA Today: Bush is attempting to "parlay" his popularity and high approval ratings "into support for his domestic agenda." However, "beyond showmanship," that effort is "likely to fail for the lack of the same sense of forthrightness" that Bush has used in discussing the war. The editorial concludes: "Applying more broadly the qualities that won [Bush the] reputation [of a 'forceful leader'] would help the nation and preserve his stature" (USA Today, 1/30).
- Washington Post: In outlining his domestic agenda, Bush called for an "number of potentially expensive programs," but he did not say "how he would pay for them." Instead, the editorial notes that he called for additional tax cuts and said if deficits "persist" the "blame" lies with Congress. While Bush "rightly" listed homeland security as one of his top budget priorities, Congress should ensure that Bush's "pledge" that "whatever it costs to defend our country, we will pay it" does not "translate into a blank check" (Washington Post, 1/30).