Caucus Chairman Emanuel on State of the Union Preview
Statement of House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel in Response to White House Preview of Final Bush State of the Union:No New Ideas
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel released the following statement in response to the announcement from the White House that Monday's State of the Union address will contain no new ideas for the country. The Associated Press story referencing the White House announcement is pasted below.
"At a time when the debt is at a record level, college costs are up, savings rates are down, energy and health care costs are up, and our economy is struggling, the American people are looking for a new direction and leadership from Washington. But what will the American people hear from the President during his State of the Union address? In the words of the White House: 'no new ideas.' The time has come to trade no ideas for new ideas; lethargy for leadership."
Bush speech to have few new ideas
Ben Feller, Associated Press - January 25, 2008
In a bow to political reality, President Bush's final State of the Union speech will skip bold proposals in favor of ones the country has heard before, a modest approach for a White House that prides itself on big ideas.Bush's strategy reflects what he is up against: little time left in office, confrontational relations with a Democratic Congress and a diminishing role on the national stage. White House aides say there is not much point in unveiling grand ideas sure to go nowhere.
So don't expect anything Monday on the scale of overhauling Social Security or immigration policy, two earlier initiatives that died on Capitol Hill.
"It's just not realistic," acknowledged White House press secretary Dana Perino on Thursday.