We’ve already got a Pit thread going – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=356505 – but handicapping the State of the Union address is GD material, too. What will Bush most likely cover in tonight’s address, do you think?
Supposedly he’s going to purpose some sort of expansion to Health Savings Account programs as his obligitory big domestic program for 2006. I already have one of these, as do a lot of other people I know, so I’m not sure percisely how they’d expand them.
I imagine he’ll say something about Iraq doing better, and hint that we’ll be able to withdraw more troops soon, as well as wag his finger at Iran and N. Korea.
I’ll be interested to see what he says about the NSA wiretapping issue.
Anyone got any ideas for the drinking game?
I make my prediction that ‘freedom’ will be said 47 times, ‘terror,’ ‘terrorism,’ or ‘terrorists’ will be said 23 times.
He will also allude to, but say outright, that the illegal wiretapping was essential for our safety (which will be said 16 times.) probably something along the luines of,
“To ensure the freedom of America, and to protect it from terrorists, extraordinary steps must be taken so that our safety is not threatened. These steps are neccesary, and by taking these steps, freedom will previal over terrorism, which we will not stand for. We don’t stadn for terror, we stand for freedom.” (Everyone then stand up and claps.)
Do presidents ever say anything unexpected during a SOTU address? Or use the occasion to announce bold new policy initiatives?
It’s my guess that President Bush will admit that the response to Katrina proves that the federal government is woefully unprepared to respond to any large-scale disaster, a possible terrorist attack among them. He will take full responsibility for this.
He will then take responsibility for the many intelligence failures that have resulted in Osama remaining a free man, as well as the false findings of WMDs in Iraq. He will apologize to the CIA for his part (even if indirect) in outing Plame, and to the American people for misusing intelligence serivces to spy on them. He will go on to admit that torture and other such abhorrent practices are ineffective, and only serve to inflame our enemies and dirty America’s hands.
The President will then praise our troops for their brave and able service in Iraq. He will personally apologise to them for misusing them so, and will announce timetables for withdrawl and turning military power over to Iraqis.
Finally, he will tearfully resign the office of the President. While not clearing Cheney of his part in the above disasters, he will ask that he be allowed to finish his term, so as to give America some sense of electoral continuity. He will then solemnly watch Chief Justice Roberts swear in now president Cheney, and return to Crawford, where he will live out his days shunning reporters and further publicity.
There’ll also be something in there about hybrid cars or something to reduce our dependence on oil.
It’s nice to dream.
(Although I’m not kidding about the hybird car thing)
9/11 will be said at least 50 times, often in conjection about the need to wiretap and stay in iraq until the end of time.
9/11 will be said at least 50 times, often in conjuction with statements the need to wiretap without warrents and stay in iraq until the end of time.
Supposedly he will propose real money for finding alternative energy sources, so we are less dependent on oil.
If he does that, and follows through - even though I think the man is Satan’s halfwit brother - I will acknowledge it as a great endeavor, and something that would improve his legacy.
I doubt he will talk about the NSA wiretapping, because the Republican congress is clearly not going to press it, and why bring up things people are already forgetting about?
I also look forward to the governor of Virginia’s response. I do expect him to mention the wiretapping.
Apparently, he’s going to say we’re “addicted to oil.”
I’m pretty sure he will push the newly minted talking point:
The NSA domestic spying problem will now be known as The Terrorist Surveilance Program.
“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”
G. Orwell.
I’d put the over/under on 9/11 references at about 15.
Then there’s “Freedom is on the march”, “cut taxes”, a salute to Sandra Day O’Connor and Justice Alito, “I must do what I must in order to protect the people”, “Terrorist Surveilance”, and probably introduce some grieving war family up in the stands.
Odds are he doesn’t show up in an Abramoff style hat.
Called that!
So, are Weapons of Mass Murder the new WMD?
Mention of a line item veto from a man who has yet to veto a single bill his legislative branch has passed?
Please. Don’t piss on my leg and tell me it’s raining.
Abramoff as seen worldwide after the guilty plea. Kind of a shame, cause that’s not a bad-looking hat.
You know, I can’t recall seeing a picture of any president since Lincoln wearing a hat.
Harry Truman was a haberdashier.
I’ll see your Truman and raise you an LBJ.
Hell, I’ll raise you a Reagan.
See, even Reagan looks better in a Stetson than W ever could!