State of the Union

President seals his legacy of misplaced priorities, unfunded education programs

January 28, 2008 -- WASHINGTON—President George W. Bush has refused to make quality public schools a priority during his administration, and his final State of the Union tonight confirmed that his legacy on education issues will be one of failed teach-to-the-test experiments, voucher schemes, and unfunded services for children and public education.    » read more »

January 29, 2008 -- President Bush’s rose-colored glasses need a new prescription - - he is blind to Americans’ day-to-day economic realities and the truth about our nation’s standing in the world.

The fact is that under President Bush, our nation’s economy has not been working for working people for years. As our nation worries about a recession, for the first time ever, working people still haven’t recovered from the last one. Since 2000, the median household lost $1,000 in inflation-adjusted income. Families are losing good jobs, homes and hope in the future.    » read more »

Jan. 29, 2008 -- We knew that President Bush’s final State of the Union address would be less than impressive when it comes to what the American people truly want. We expected him to continue pushing for the same programs and policies he’s backed for the past eight years. And of course, Dubya didn’t disappoint. But to borrow from the president’s past pearls of wisdom, “Fool me once, shame on – shame on you. Fool me – you can’t get fooled again.”    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- Washington, DC - AARP CEO Bill Novelli made the following statement today in response to President Bush’s State of the Union address:

“We hope that the President’s words tonight help move us beyond rhetoric and towards bipartisan solutions that are fair for all generations. Congress and the Administration must come together, openly debate all available options, and solve our health care and economic crises.    » read more »

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa Statement on President Bush’s State of the Union Address

January 28, 2008 -- "President Bush wants to do exactly the wrong thing to our economy by negotiating more of these so-called free trade deals.

Deals like NAFTA, CAFTA and PNTR have been a disaster for American workers.

Now that we’re looking at hard times, the last thing we need to do is to send more good jobs to other countries.    » read more »

Statement by Edward J. McElroy, President, American Federation of Teachers, On President Bush’s State of the Union Address

January 29, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Bush’s State of the Union Address can be summed up in four words: too little, too late.    » read more »

Once Again President Fails to Address the Real Needs of Working People in America

January 28, 2008 -- Washington, DC—SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued the following statement tonight regarding President Bush’s final State of the Union address:    » read more »

January 29, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Change to Win chair Anna Burger issued the following statement in anticipation of President Bush’s final State of the Union address tonight.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement tonight after listening to President Bush's final State of the Union address:

"I welcomed the spirit of cooperation in parts of the President's speech tonight and I am looking forward to working with him on important legislation we must finish this year.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- "Today, the White House said the theme of President Bush’s State of the Union Address would be “trust and empower.”

Nearly eight years ago, the American people empowered George W. Bush and gave him our trust. But year after year, President Bush has squandered the hopes and dreams of the American people, and nothing he said tonight indicates we should expect anything but more of the same in domestic and foreign policy.

Tonight, the President had a wide-open opportunity to bring about what the American people are clamoring for every day—meaningful change.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- (Washington D.C.) - Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following response to the President’s State of the Union Address:

“In just a few weeks, we will mark the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq. Five years later, the political and economic situation on the ground has changed little, while the rest of the world, including the United States, has changed significantly.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- Des Moines -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver responds to President Bush's State of the Union Address:

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR CHET CULVER:    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC (January 28, 2008) - In his final State of the Union address, President Bush missed his last opportunity to confront America's global warming challenge and commit to enacting binding climate legislation by the end of his term.    » read more »

“The President’s plan offers old approaches instead of bold solutions”

January 28, 2008 -- Statement by Larry Schweiger, President & CEO, National Wildlife Federation, On the State of the Union Address:

Washington, DC (Jan. 28) – “I welcome President Bush’s call for action on global warming. While the White House stance on global warming has thawed, the real test of his commitment to advance U.S. leadership is to work with Congress to pass the bipartisan Climate Security Act.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- While the president prepares to deliver his final State of the Union Address tonight, a speech that media reports say will offer no new ideas, it's clear the Republican presidential candidates are following in Bush's footsteps offering no new ideas of their own, only a third Bush term. [AP, 1/25/08]    » read more »