State of the Union Address 2008

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CNN: State of the Union Address Transcript (January 28, 2008)
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VOA News: President Bush Prepares to Deliver State of the Union Address (January 28, 2008)
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Mahalo Daily: State of the Union Address (in 60 seconds) (January 29, 2008)

State of the Union Address 2008 Videos

LiveVideo.com: Pres. Bush comments on the U.S. economy (Time: 1:30)
LiveVideo.com: Bush: 'Help more Americans keep their homes' (Time: 0:45)
LiveVideo.com: Bush calls for bipartisanship in Congress (Time: 1:00)
YouTube: DeMint Response to State of the Union (Time 7:17)

State of the Union Address 2008 Liveblogging

All times Eastern

10:03 PM: Democratic response will follow from Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.

10:00 PM: Greatness of America is in the determination of our people. "As long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper...and the State of our Union will remain strong. With this sentiment, he ends his address.

9:58 PM: Moves on to discuss the need to increase funding for veterans. This earns a large round of applause. "As we increase funding, we must also reform our veterans system to meet the needs of a new war and a new generation." Wants to enact reforms suggested by Bob Dole and Donna Shalala.

9:57 PM: Encourages America to fight in the global war against hunger. Wants the US to buy directly from farmers in developing countries. Moves on to discussing AIDS relief in Africa. Wants an additional $30 billion towards this effort in the next five years.

9:56 PM: "America opposes genocide in Sudan." Discusses the Millenium Challenge Account, which promotes democracy and the rule of law in developing nations. Asks Congress to fully fund the initiative.

9:53 PM: Claims that, in the past six years, numerous terrorist attacks have been thwarted. Cites the threat against the Library Tower in Los Angeles. Praises intelligence forces who has helped to stop attacks on American soil. Wants to give them "the ability to monitor terrorist communications." Discusses for the need to renew the FISA agreements of 2007 to "ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted." He also discusses the need for immunity for telecommunications companies.

9:52 PM: Lots of criticism for the regime in Iran, which he insists works throughout the Middle East to undermine the cause of democracy. Iran continues to enrich uranium which could be used to create a nuclear weapon. Does not oppose the people of Iran, he insists, but only their regime. "America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will defend our allies..."

9:51 PM: Discusses "extremism in the Holy Land," where he finds hope for the first time in a while. Praises the leaders in Israel for recognizing the need for a free Palestinian state. He will do everything he can to help reach a peace agreement by the end of this year. Wants a democratic Israel and democratic Palestine "living side-by-side in peace."

9:50 PM: "A free Iraq will deny Al Qaeda a safe haven." He argues that a free Iraq will be a friend to America and an ally in fighting terror, and that an Iraq in terrorist hands would be a launching pad for attacks against our allies. "We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated."

9:47 PM: "Our objective in the coming year is to sustain and build on the gains we made in 2007 while shifting to the next phase of our strategy." Next phase involves moving entirely to a protective supervisory position in Iraq. Several brigades and battalions will leave Iraq and will not be replaced. "Any further drawdown of US troops will be based on conditions in Iraq."

9:46 PM: Progress is a testament to the valor and courage of our troops. He speaks directly to the men and women on the front lines. Makes a solemn pledge to give them "all that you need to protect our nation." Asks Congress to "fully fund our troops."

9:46 PM: Someone in the crowd yells what sounds like "You Rock!"

9:45 PM: Bush extensively compares the current situation in Iraq to where America stood one year ago. Al Qaeda has been driven from their former strongholds, he says, and have captured hundreds of Al Qaeda leaders and operatives. He discusses the most recent tape from Osama Bin Laden. "Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq and this enemy will be defeated." Huge applause here.

9:42 PM: Praises the Sunni uprising known as the Anbar Awakening. "The American and Iraqi surges have produced results few of us could have imagined one year ago."

9:40 PM: Moves on to Iraq, praising the effectiveness of the Surge. "We gave our troops a new mission...Work with the Iraqi forces to protect the Iraqi people...The Iraqi people quickly realized that something dramatic had happened." He feels the added troops restored confidence in Iraq that America was going to ensure the enemy did not return and keep them safe. Praises the troops in Iraq, who have "the gratitude of our whole nation." This gets the largest and most enthusiastic standing ovation so far.

9:38 PM: Thanks the military for supporting the young democracy in Afghanistan, where "people are looking to the future with new hope." Adding more Marines to Afghanistan to train the army and police, and defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Thanks Congress for supporting this "vital mission."

9:37 PM: He believes the terrorists know free people will oppose terror, "and that is why, for the security of America and the peace of the world, we are spreading the hope of freedom."

9:35 PM: Moves on to national security and foreign policy. "We trust that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace. In the last seven years, we have witnessed stunning moments in freedom and liberty." Then discusses sobering images from Lebanon and Pakistan, directly referencing the Benazir Bhutto Assassination. "On a clear September day, we saw thousands of our citizens taken from us in an instant."

9:34 PM: America needs to secure the borders. He wants fences to stop illegal crosses. "By the end of this year, we will have doubled the number of border patrol agents." But acknowledges that without legal ways for workers to come support our economy, we cannot fully secure the border. "We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here illegally."

9:33 PM: He will host a North American Summit in New Orleans. Moves on to discuss entitlement spending and immigration.

9:32 PM: Praises faith-based charitable organizations. He asks Congress to permanently extend his charitable choice programs.

9:31 PM: We must empower judges who will "rule by the letter of the law, not the whim of the gavel." Wants the Senate to give his judicial nominees a prompt, up-or-down vote.

9:30 PM: Wants to pursue new treatments while "respecting moral boundaries." Discusses the ability of scientists to grow stem cells from skin cells, urging that this may be a way to pursue new science "without the destruction of human life." Calls on Congress to ban "unethical practices," including cloning of human life.

9:27 PM: Discusses the need to slow greenhouse gases. U.S. is committed to dealing with climate change, and Bush wants us to lead the way in developing clean technology. "To keep America competitive, we must trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers..." Wants Congress to follow through with funding critical basic research with physical sciences.

9:26 PM: Camera closes up on Rep John Dingell sleeping in the crowd as Bush discusses the need for advanced battery technology, alternative fuels and an International Clean Technology fund.

9:25 PM: Discusses outsourcing and helping displaced workers learn new skills and find new jobs. Wants to "pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology."

9:24 PM: Speaks of Colombia and their efforts against drug traffickers. "We must come together, pass this agreement and show our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life.

9:23 PM: Working to break down barriers to trade and investment. Also wants to pursue opportunities to open new markets by passing Free Trade agreements and praises agreement with Peru. Next, he wants agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.

9:22 PM: Introduces Pell Grants For Kids program.

9:21 PM: "Six years ago, we came together to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, and today, no one can doubt its results." Calls the act "a bipartisan achievement" and insists that it is a good law that is working.

9:20 PM: "We share a common goal: making health care more accessible and affordable for average Americans." Wants to expand private insurance and begin health savings accounts. Calls "junk medical lawsuits" an "epidemic."

9:18 PM: Discusses subprime mortgage crisis and plans to help citizens avoid foreclosure. Asks Congress to amend Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Housing agencies should issue tax-free bonds to help homeowners finance their mortgages.

9:17 PM: Bush receives standing ovation for his discussion of cutting earmarks.

9:16 PM: Promises his latest budget will cut $18 billion in "bloated" government programs. Insists that earmarks harms the people's trust in their government. Any appropriations bill that doesn't cut earmarks in half, Bush says, will be vetoed.

9:15 PM: Vows to veto any bill including any kind of tax increase.

9:13 PM: Urges the continuation of his tax breaks as soon as possible. "Most Americans think their taxes are high enough...There is only one way to eliminate this uncertainty. Make the tax relief permanent."

9:12 PM: "As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty...Jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up but so are prices for food and gas...At kitchen tables across our country, there is a concern about our economic future." Leads into a discussion of his Economic Stimulus Plan and how he wants to avoid earmarks on the legislation.

9:12 PM: Urges cooperation between the parties in this election year.

9:10 PM: Bush discusses the tests and difficult decisions that have marked his administration. "These issues call for vigorous debate and I think it's fair to say we've answered the call."