Bush Vows to Rally Americans to 'Great Causes' in State of Union Address

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Bush Vows to Rally Americans to 'Great Causes' in State of Union Address

US President George W. Bush said he will "rally the American people to some great causes" in Tuesday night's State of the Union address.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

US President George W. Bush said he will "rally the American people to some great causes" in Tuesday night's State of the Union address.

"Tonight I will talk about the great challenges that face our country. I have no doubt we will be able to handle those challenges because we are a great country," he told reporters after meeting with his Cabinet.

Bush did not specifically mention Iraq, only said he will "talkabout our deep desire for peace."

He announced that his address will also lay out a vision for improving health care, improving the economy and helping Americanshelp each other.

Hours before Bush was to deliver the speech at a joint session of Congress, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the address will focus half on domestic policy and half on national security.

"The president has not made a case to go to war with Iraq," Fleischer told reporters. "The president has made a case about theserious threat Saddam Hussein presents."

He said Bush would take "further steps" at a later time to justify war, if necessary.

Iraq will be the most crucial part of his address as the UnitedStates is massing troops in Gulf region for a possible war with Iraq. Bush will begin his speech at 9:01 p.m. EST (02:01 GMT on Wednesday) in the House of Representatives chamber before a joint session of Congress.

Bush's State of the Union address comes as public opinion pollsare finding that more and more Americans are doubting his foreign and economic policies.

A Newsweek poll published on Saturday said 38 percent of Americans now say they disapprove of Bush's job performance, the highest disapproval figure reported in Newsweek polling since Bushtook office two years ago. His overall job performance has dipped below 60 percent for the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

On eve of his State of the Union address, Democratic leaders intensified attacks on Bush's policies on economy and security.

"The state of our union today is anxious," Senate minority leader Tom Daschle said Monday in a speech before the National Press Club. "The triple threat of war, terrorism and recession are combining to make Americans unsure about their future and unclear about the course our nation is taking."

Questions?Comments? Click here

Bush, Blair Send Fresh Warnings to Saddam

US President Prepares for State of the Union Address

Beijing to Cancel 'Hotels for Hosting Foreign Visitors' ( 11 Messages)

Crazy Pursuit for Graduate Education, an Ailing Personnel System ( 2 Messages)

Chinese Experts Demand Return of Cultural Relics ( 30 Messages)

Chinese Bid Farewell to Outworn Doctrine of Egalitarianism ( 22 Messages)

Full Text of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq ( 3 Messages)