WP,pg1: Bush To Face Skeptical Congress: Iraq Overshadows Domestic Outreach

[DeepModem Mom]

Bush To Face Skeptical Congress
Iraq Overshadows Domestic Outreach
By Peter Baker and Jon Cohen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, January 23, 2007; Page A01

President Bush plans to reach out to the opposition in his State of the Union address tonight with new and recycled proposals on health care, energy, immigration and education, but the uproar over his decision to send more U.S. troops to Iraq has eclipsed potential consensus on domestic policy.

As he addresses a Congress controlled entirely by Democrats for the first time since he took office, Bush faces deep skepticism inside the chamber, even within the House Republican leadership, which yesterday made proposals intended "to hold the Bush administration . . . accountable" for the progress of his latest Iraq plan.

The doubt on Capitol Hill reflects the continuing erosion of Bush's public support across the country. His approval rating is at the lowest level of his presidency, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, and only twice in the past six decades has a president delivered his annual speech to the nation in a weaker condition in the polls -- Harry S. Truman in the midst of the Korean War in 1952 and Richard M. Nixon in the throes of Watergate in 1974.

For the first time, majorities of Americans say Bush cannot be trusted in a crisis, has not made the country safer and should withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq to avoid further casualties rather than leave them until civil order is restored. And, in a sign of intensifying opposition, a majority -- 51 percent -- for the first time expressed strong disapproval of Bush's performance, compared with 17 percent who strongly approved.

"The world changed significantly on Election Day, and the only people who were surprised were them," GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio said of Bush and his aides. Now, he added, "they've backed themselves into a tough corner, and the problem is his continued insistence for the troop increase, which flies in the face of what 70 percent of Americans want, makes him look . . . like (he's saying), 'I'll listen to you, but I'll do what I want anyway.' "...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/22/AR2007012200236.html?nav=hcmodule

[aquart]

1. "Potential consensus on domestic policy"! LOLOLOLOL!

The spin never dies.

[annabanana]

2. I'm sure he doesn't WANT to talk Iraq during this speech...

There will be repubs sitting on their hands, in public, on TV. . .

[Heidi]

3. Kick.

:kick:

[Kat 333]

4. Bush, at Low Point in Polls, Will Push Domestic Agenda

Bush, at Low Point in Polls, Will Push Domestic Agenda

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 — Carrying some of the worst public approval ratings of any president in a generation, President Bush is heading into his State of the Union address on Tuesday night seeking to revitalize his domestic agenda but facing stiff resistance over the initiatives the White House has previewed so far.

Administration officials said Monday that among Mr. Bush’s proposals would be a plan to help states provide health care coverage to people who lack insurance by diverting federal aid from hospitals, especially public institutions. The provision is likely to draw loud criticism from municipalities across the nation and will significantly affect the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the nation’s largest municipal health care system.
Officials said Mr. Bush’s speech would include proposals to address the nation’s energy needs and global warming, partly by promoting the use and development of alternative fuels. He is also expected to renew his call for an overhaul of immigration law and to propose altering tax policies to help the uninsured.

The president’s advisers said they hoped Mr. Bush’s address would re-energize his domestic agenda by striking a bipartisan and ambitious tone as he faces further isolation on his Iraq policy. (more)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/washington/23bush.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[William769]

5. First he has to understand what domestic means.

[tsuki]

6. Starve the public hospitals so they have to sell to HCA. Yep,

that'll promote lower hospital bills. <snort>

[Binka]

7. That'll Work. NOT! WTF Is Wrong With These Clowns?

Totally completely clueless. Hey talk up the economy Bush that should shave a few more supporters off the rolls. FUCKWITTAGES!

[Hobarticus]

8. Nice that he suddenly remembers a domestic agenda six years into his term...

One that doesn't involve keeping brain-dead people on life support, preferably.

Asshat.

[Loge23]

9. Break it and walk away - again

Now that he has made a shambles of virtually everything he has touched so far, he'll reach in his toy box for one more thing to break. Lucky us, this time it's domestic programs!
So now he will punish all of the people who have finally turned on him by taxing our health insurance.
As far as the fuel issue is concerned: If only we could convert the lies of this administration into useable fuel - we'd be set forever!
What an incredible waste of oxygen this man is.

[speedingbullet]

10. Smart Move

He sure as hell doesn't want to talk about his foreign policy.

[closeupready]

11. "holding accountable" means absolutely nothing anymore, it seems.

n/t