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The 2007 State of the Union Address was a speech given by United States President George W. Bush that took place on January 23, 2007. The president was introduced at 21:09 Eastern Standard Time (2:09 UTC) and began speaking at 21:13 EST. The speech was given in front of a joint session of Congress. It was the first address to a Democratic-controlled Congress since 1994. The speech ended at 22:02 EST, after Bush spoke for less than 50 minutes, as expected. There were a total of 62 interruptions for applause.

Furthermore, the speech marked the second time that a Democrat sat behind President Bush during a joint session of Congress. Traditionally, the Speaker of the House and the Vice President (the President of the Senate) are the only individuals on the rostrum with the President. However, after the 9/11 attacks, president pro tempore Robert Byrd, a Democrat, took the place of Vice President Dick Cheney, who was at an undisclosed location. The 2007 Address was the first time that a Democrat sat behind President Bush during usual circumstances, as Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Dick Cheney, a Republican, sat behind the President together. The 2007 address was also the first time in American history that a woman was one of the three people on the podium, as the President, the Vice President, nor the President pro tempore have never been female. President Bush recognized this by beginning his address with the words:

And tonight I have the high privilege and distinct honor of my own as the first president to begin the State of the Union message with these words: "Madame Speaker."

Attendance

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was not present, as traditionally a member of the President's cabinet does not attend in order to ensure presidential succession. Only four Supreme Court Justices attended the speech; Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, and Anthony Kennedy. Senator Tim Johnson and Congressman Charlie Norwood were not present either — the only two from Congress not present. Both were absent because of serious health problems.

Focus

President Bush's speech equally discussed two main issues: domestic policy and foreign policy.

Domestic life

Bush placed emphasis on balancing the federal budget, eliminating earmarks, changing tax code to provide health care for needy individuals, and proposed expanding health savings accounts. Bush supported "laws that are fair and borders that are secure" in regards to immigration, suggesting a temporary worker program, stating that, "as a result, they won't have to sneak in." He suggested resolving the status of current illegal residents "without animosity and without amnesty." Bush said we have been dependent on foreign oil for too long, and that it chances placing us in hostile situations. Bush asked Congress to work to reduce gasoline usage in the U.S. by 20% over the next ten years, and recommended research into alternative fuels. He asked Congress to double the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Bush asked Congress to give future Supreme Court nominees a fair hearing, and a prompt up-or-down vote on the senate floor. Bush asked for $1.2 billion over the next five years to combat malaria in 15 African countries.

Foreign policy

A large part of Bush's speech centered on the Iraq War. Bush emphasized that he still stood behind it, stating that, "to win the war on terror, we must take the fight to the enemy." He stated that the dangers of terrorism have not ended, and that it is the government's duty to locate terrorists and protect the American people. He stated that it was not responsible to leave Iraq yet, as it would put "ourselves in danger and our friends at risk." He emphasized that stability in Iraq is essential, and that chaos is the enemy's ally. Bush asked Americans to give the Iraq War a chance, and support the troops on the field and "those on their way," implying that more may be sent. He stated that he wished to send 20,000 soldiers and Marines to Iraq, most of which would go to Baghdad. Bush advocated adding to the ranks of the military. He asked Congress to authorize an increase in the Army and Marine active duty forces by 92,000 in the next five years. He spoke of a "volunteer civilian reserve corps". Bush advocated saving the people affected by the Darfur conflict. He advocated continuing to fight HIV/AIDS, especially on the continent of Africa.

Honored guests

During the speech, President Bush recognized a few selected Americans who have helped the country in some way and become great. First, he pointed out Dikembe Mutombo, a professional basketball player. He is native to Congo and recently built a new hospital in Kinshasa, his hometown. Next, he introduced business and social entrepreneur Julie Aigner-Clark, who founded the Baby Einstein Company. Then, he introduced Wesley Autrey, who two weeks ago saved an epileptic man from being ran down by a New York City Subway train. Finally, he introduced Sergeant Tommy Rieman, an American soldier who continued to fight even though he was critically injured in Iraq.

Democratic response

Jim Webb, the decorated Vietnam Veteran and freshman Senator from Virginia whose son is serving in Iraq, delivered the Democratic response from Capitol Hill, the second year in a row for a Virginia politician. Last year's Democratic response was delivered by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. It lasted less than nine minutes as expected, ending at 22:24 EST.

Webb said he hopes that the Bush administration is serious about health care, education, and revitalizing the city of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. He emphasized that corporate profits are not being fairly shared, stating that CEOs make over 400 times that of workers, on average. Therefore, it takes an average worker over one year to make as much money as his boss makes in one day. He advocated a policy that would begin to remove U.S. troops from Iraq, saying that the majority of the American people do not support the direction of the Iraq War or the president's strategy.

References

1. Full text of 2007 State of the Union address
2. "President Bush Delivers Annual State of the Union Address". VOA News. 2007-01-24. Retrieved 2007-01-24. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
3. Planned Democratic response

External links

• Full video of the 2007 State of the Union speech at C-SPAN.org

• Current events
• State of the Union