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| Bush addresses US economy fears | Bush addresses US economy fears |
| (1 day later) | |
| President George W Bush has admitted US economic growth is slowing, but in his final State of the Union address urged Americans to have long-term confidence. | President George W Bush has admitted US economic growth is slowing, but in his final State of the Union address urged Americans to have long-term confidence. |
| The president acknowledged that the US was facing "uncertainty". | The president acknowledged that the US was facing "uncertainty". |
| A $150bn (£76bn) stimulus plan negotiated with Congress would help, he said, and must be passed soon. | A $150bn (£76bn) stimulus plan negotiated with Congress would help, he said, and must be passed soon. |
| Mr Bush also said his troop "surge" in Iraq was succeeding after a long and costly war, and that al-Qaeda was "on the run" and would be defeated. | Mr Bush also said his troop "surge" in Iraq was succeeding after a long and costly war, and that al-Qaeda was "on the run" and would be defeated. |
| He called on Iran's leaders to cease their "support for terror abroad", although he said the US respected the country's people. | He called on Iran's leaders to cease their "support for terror abroad", although he said the US respected the country's people. |
| Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that while they agreed with Mr Bush on the need for a bipartisan approach, he "offered little more than the status quo". | Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that while they agreed with Mr Bush on the need for a bipartisan approach, he "offered little more than the status quo". |
| "At a time when our economy is on shaky ground and our leadership around the world is eroding, the status quo won't do," they said in a joint statement. | "At a time when our economy is on shaky ground and our leadership around the world is eroding, the status quo won't do," they said in a joint statement. |
| Oil dependence | Oil dependence |
| Mr Bush acknowledged that the US was "undergoing a period of economic uncertainty", but sought to reassure the nation. | Mr Bush acknowledged that the US was "undergoing a period of economic uncertainty", but sought to reassure the nation. |
| "At kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future," he said. | "At kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future," he said. |
| There is a chance, Mr President, in the next 357 days, to get real results Kathleen Sebelius,Democratic Kansas governor Bush's last standState of the Union reactionElection issues guide | There is a chance, Mr President, in the next 357 days, to get real results Kathleen Sebelius,Democratic Kansas governor Bush's last standState of the Union reactionElection issues guide |
| But, he added: "In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth." | But, he added: "In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth." |
| Mr Bush urged Congress not to expand the economic stimulus package beyond what had been agreed, or risk derailing it. He also urged lawmakers to make his tax cuts permanent. | Mr Bush urged Congress not to expand the economic stimulus package beyond what had been agreed, or risk derailing it. He also urged lawmakers to make his tax cuts permanent. |
| Echoing a theme of his 2006 address, when he spoke of the US being "addicted to oil", Mr Bush spoke about the importance of US energy independence. | Echoing a theme of his 2006 address, when he spoke of the US being "addicted to oil", Mr Bush spoke about the importance of US energy independence. |
| "Our security, our prosperity and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil," he said. | "Our security, our prosperity and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil," he said. |
| Mr Bush also urged Tehran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme and "come clean" about its intentions. | Mr Bush also urged Tehran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme and "come clean" about its intentions. |
| He continued: "But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will protect our vital interests in the Persian Gulf." | |
| 'American response' | 'American response' |
| On Iraq, Mr Bush acknowledged that the "enemy is still dangerous and more work remains" to be done. | On Iraq, Mr Bush acknowledged that the "enemy is still dangerous and more work remains" to be done. |
| SEE THE PRESIDENT'S GOALS 2008 State of the Union Policy Initiatives [190KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here The address in fullUS media reactionSend us your comments | SEE THE PRESIDENT'S GOALS 2008 State of the Union Policy Initiatives [190KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here The address in fullUS media reactionSend us your comments |
| But he praised the work of American and Iraqi forces in achieving "results few of us could have imagined just one year ago", and assured Americans that al-Qaeda "will be defeated". | But he praised the work of American and Iraqi forces in achieving "results few of us could have imagined just one year ago", and assured Americans that al-Qaeda "will be defeated". |
| He urged Congress to "meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops". | He urged Congress to "meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops". |
| Mr Bush said that as a result of progress in Iraq and a transition of operations to Iraqi forces, more than 20,000 troops would be returning to the US in the coming months. | Mr Bush said that as a result of progress in Iraq and a transition of operations to Iraqi forces, more than 20,000 troops would be returning to the US in the coming months. |
| Mr Bush said 20,000 troops would be withdrawn in the coming months | Mr Bush said 20,000 troops would be withdrawn in the coming months |
| In the official Democratic reply to the president's speech, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said: "In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more: an American response. | In the official Democratic reply to the president's speech, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said: "In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more: an American response. |
| "There is a chance, Mr President, in the next 357 days, to get real results and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority." | "There is a chance, Mr President, in the next 357 days, to get real results and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority." |
| But the leading Democratic presidential candidates, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, took much tougher lines. | But the leading Democratic presidential candidates, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, took much tougher lines. |
| Mr Obama said Mr Bush's speech was full of empty rhetoric, and criticised his "failed politics and policies of the past". | Mr Obama said Mr Bush's speech was full of empty rhetoric, and criticised his "failed politics and policies of the past". |
| Mrs Clinton said Mr Bush had only offered "more of the same: a frustrating commitment to the same failed policies". | Mrs Clinton said Mr Bush had only offered "more of the same: a frustrating commitment to the same failed policies". |
| The two rival Democrats have been fighting a bitter campaign for the candidacy, and although they sat only metres away from each other in Senate for the address, they did not speak. | The two rival Democrats have been fighting a bitter campaign for the candidacy, and although they sat only metres away from each other in Senate for the address, they did not speak. |
| At one point, Mrs Clinton reached across to shake the hand of Senator Edward Kennedy, who hours earlier had endorsed Mr Obama. | At one point, Mrs Clinton reached across to shake the hand of Senator Edward Kennedy, who hours earlier had endorsed Mr Obama. |
| As she did so, Mr Obama turned his back. | As she did so, Mr Obama turned his back. |
| Republican candidate Senator John McCain stayed in Florida ahead of his party's primary in the state on Tuesday. | Republican candidate Senator John McCain stayed in Florida ahead of his party's primary in the state on Tuesday. |
| Lame duck? | Lame duck? |
| The State of the Union address, traditionally delivered once a year, is expected to be Mr Bush's last before he leaves office in January 2009. | The State of the Union address, traditionally delivered once a year, is expected to be Mr Bush's last before he leaves office in January 2009. |
| He would, however, have the option to deliver one immediately before he goes. | He would, however, have the option to deliver one immediately before he goes. |
| According to Gallup polls of approval ratings around the time of the State of the Union addresses, this is the worst year for Mr Bush since his presidency began. | According to Gallup polls of approval ratings around the time of the State of the Union addresses, this is the worst year for Mr Bush since his presidency began. |
| The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says Mr Bush's speech was overall more businesslike than inspirational, perhaps more reflective of a more realistic president - aware that some of his policy goals would now remain elusive but determined that others would not. | The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says Mr Bush's speech was overall more businesslike than inspirational, perhaps more reflective of a more realistic president - aware that some of his policy goals would now remain elusive but determined that others would not. |