Posted by
Katie Favazza on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:42:29 AM
The games are about to begin.
Mary Katharine and
Captain Ed are live-blogging, too.
Let's do this.
9:00pm: So far, all I've really gotten from the Fox News broadcast is that Nancy Pelosi had to change because she got chocolate on her tan outfit. Haha.
9:03pm: Brit Hume is making bad jokes about the Supreme Court. The Cabinet (minus 1 for security reasons) is now entering. Very social event we have here. Michael J. Fox is a few rows behind the First Lady, which I think is a bit surprising.
9:08pm: While you are waiting (or if you are bored), check out Matt Lewis' post on historical SOTU addresses
here.
9:11pm: Nice blue tie, Mr. President.
"Madame Speaker" for the first time. It almost makes me wish I cared as a woman, but I don't. 2 Congressmen are out sick.
"The rite of custom brings us together..."
There was a little hesitation in Bush's voice when he congratulated the Democratic Congress. Hehe.
"We're now in the 41st month of uninterrupted job growth."
"This economy is on the move and our job is to keep it that way, not with more government, but with more enterprize."
Three economic reforms that deserve to be priorities:
1) Balance the federal budget - "We can do so without raising taxes. What we need is spending discipline in Washington, DC."
2) Earmarks - "Cut the number and cost of earmarks at least in half by the end of this session."
3) Entitlements
9:21pm: Pushing the renewal of No Child Left Behind. Encourages other options as an option for children stuck in failing schools.
Health Insurance:
1) Standard tax deduction.
2) Help the states that make basic private health insurance available. "Affordable choices grants."
9:25pm: There's a lot of meat here on the health insurance issue. I'll link to the White House fact sheet later.
Standing ovation for medical liability reform.
"The best health care decisions are not made by governments and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors."
Immigration:
Establish a temporary-worker plan. Both sides seem to be clapping for this.
We need to "resolve" illegal status "without animosity and without amnesty."
Energy:
Increase ethanol development efforts.
Reduce gasoline use in the United States by 20% in the next 10 years.
Mandatory fuel standard.
This will not eliminate our foreign dependency on oil.
War on Terror:
"To win the war on terror, we must take the fight to the enemy."
Bush gave quite the list of impressive accomplishments in the war. (Go us!!)
9:38pm: "I wish I could report to you that the dangers have ended. They have not."
"What every terrorist fears most is human freedom."
"Free people are not drawn to violent and malignant ideologies."
9:41pm: I am daydreaming a little now... so I haven't covered the past 5 minutes or so. I'm still here though.
"People of Iraq want to live in peace."
"Chaos is their greatest ally."
(I think I just got a glimpse of Claire McCaskill. Ugh. GAAA Again!!)
9:50pm: What?? "Civilian Reserve Corps." Did somebody say "militia??" This is awesome. Where do I sign up??
9:52pm: No nuclear weapons.
Save Darfur. Good one.
9:57pm: More on all the honored guests later... (That basketball player from the Congo is REALLY tall.)
Here's the speech exerpt about the honored guests, from
the pre-released text on Drudge:
Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He
came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine – but
Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea.
Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States.
But he never forgot the land of his birth – or the duty to share his
blessings with others. He has built a brand new hospital in his
hometown. A friend has said of this good hearted man: “Mutombo believes
that God has given him this opportunity to do great things.” And we are
proud to call this son of the Congo our fellow American.
After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for
ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed
some equipment, and began filming children’s videos in her basement.
The Baby Einstein Company was born – and in just five years her
business grew to more than $20 million in sales. In November 2001,
Julie sold Baby Einstein to the Walt Disney Company, and with her help
Baby Einstein has grown into a $200 million business. Julie represents
the great enterprising spirit of America. And she is using her success
to help others – producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her
new project: “I believe it's the most important thing that I've ever
done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is
safe.” We are pleased to welcome this talented business entrepreneur
and generous social entrepreneur – Julie Aigner-Clark.
Three weeks ago, Wesley Autrey was waiting at a Harlem subway
station with his two little girls, when he saw a man fall into the path
of a train. With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks ...
pulled the man into a space between the rails ... and held him as the
train passed right above their heads. He insists he’s not a hero.
Wesley says: “We got guys and girls overseas dying for us to have our
freedoms. We got to show each other some love.” There is something
wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like
Wesley Autrey.
Tommy Rieman was a teenager pumping gas in Independence, Kentucky, when
he enlisted in the United States Army. In December 2003, he was on a
reconnaissance mission in Iraq when his team came under heavy enemy
fire. From his Humvee, Sergeant Rieman returned fire – and used his
body as a shield to protect his gunner. He was shot in the chest and
arm, and received shrapnel wounds to his legs – yet he refused medical
attention, and stayed in the fight. He helped to repel a second attack,
firing grenades at the enemy’s position. For his exceptional courage,
Sergeant Rieman was awarded the Silver Star. And like so many other
Americans who have volunteered to defend us, he has earned the respect
and gratitude of our whole country.
"The state of our union is strong, our cause in the world is right, and tonight, that cause goes on."