David McRaney  |  Journalist

Bush focuses on energy proposals

President Bush delivered his fifth State of the Union address Tuesday following what some have considered his worst year in office.

With lackluster poll numbers, the unpopular war in Iraq, revelations about domestic spying, money scandals and ridicule surrounding Hurricane Katrina, many were anxious to hear what the president would focus on.

News organizations across the country predicted Bush would avoid discussions about Jack Abramoff and domestic spying by focusing on terror and a series of energy proposals.

Bush not only mentioned terrorism, he denounced Iran saying the country must stop sponsoring terrorists and "defying the world with its nuclear ambitions."

"Our nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran," said Bush, echoing similar rhetoric preceding the war in Iraq. "Ultimately, the only way to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred and fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom and peaceful change."

Bush also mentioned the recent democratic rise to power of Hamas.

"Now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace," he said.

Bush recognized objections to his foreign policy as being "misguided idealism." But, he countered this view by saying it was "the only way to secure the peace."

In perhaps the most telling moment of the address Bush told his audience, "We are the nation that saved liberty in Europe, and liberated death camps, and helped raise up democracies, and faced down an evil empire. Once again, we accept the call of history to deliver the oppressed and move this world toward peace."

Joseph Parker, professor of political science at USM, believes despite efforts to promote the speech, most Americans are already looking to the next election.

"The importance attached by the potential viewing public to a State of the Union is normally focused on the first address by a new president, " said Parker, "after that audiences tend to dwindle."

Parker added Republicans currently have to make a decision as to whether or not they will distance themselves from Bush. Approaching the end of his term, with approval ratings consistently around 40 percent and a host of terrible media coverage, some are looking to the next Republican hopeful.

Parker predicted Bush would focus on national security, an area where his approval rating is still solid. He also expected to hear the president defend the unconstitutional nature of his eavesdropping by labeling it as an attempt to defend the public.

"The strategy is to play to the fears and anxieties of the people," said Parker.

Bush followed suit, asking Americans to back his secretive domestic spy program. He said he was using "authority given to me by the Constitution and by statute."

Bush did not mention he failed to heed a separate 1978 law specifically calling for court approval to conduct such surveillance.

Hattiesburg resident Anthony Jackson said he was skeptical about the address.

"He said in a press conference the economy was looking good, but Ford just laid off 30,000 people, so that can't be good," said Jackson.

Originally published in The Student Printz on February 2, 2006