2008 State of the Union Address
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The 2008 State of the Union Address was a speech given by United States President George W. Bush on Monday, January 28, 2008, to a joint session of Congress. This was Bush's last State of the Union Address before he leaves office on January 20, 2009. The speech was delivered on the floor of the United States House of Representatives in the United States Capitol. Sitting behind the president were the presiding officers of the United States Senate, Vice President Dick Cheney, and the United States House of Representatives, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The State of the Union Address was televised nationwide starting at 9 pm Eastern Standard Time.
Topics
The White House indicated beforehand that the President's speech would mention the following policies:
- Economy: Keeping the Economy Healthy
- Budget: Staying On Track To A Balanced Budget By 2012
- Housing: Modernize Federal Housing Administration to avoid foreclosures
- National Security: Giving Our National Security Professionals Tools They Need To Protect America
- Iraq: Continued Progress In Iraq Allows "Return On Success"
- Global War on Terror: Keeping America Safe By Fostering The Freedom Agenda
- Veterans: Supporting the Nation's Troops And Their Families
- No Child Left Behind: Expanding Opportunity Under No Child Left Behind
- Education: Empowering Parents With More Choices For Their Children's Education
- Free Trade: Opening New Markets And Expanding Opportunities Through Free Trade
- Energy: Increasing the Energy Security And Confronting Climate Change
- Health Care: Empowering Americans With Affordable Options For Health Care
- Stem Cell Research: Increasing Federal Support For Ethical Stem Cell Research
- Faith-based Initiatives: Helping Those In Need Through The Faith-Based And Community Initiative
- Immigration: Improving Border Security And Immigration
- Compassion: Advancing An Agenda Of Compassion Worldwide
- Disease: Protecting Others From Disease Such As AIDS
- Science: Requested Congress to double federal spending on basic physical research
Democratic response
In keeping with tradition of Democrats from red states giving the response, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius delivered the speech from the Governor's Mansion in Topeka.
References
External Links
- Full Transcript - 2008 State of the Union Address Whitehouse.gov