Bush brought subdued tone to State of Union

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070124/pl_nm/bush_speech_mood_dc

Bush brought subdued tone to State of Union

By Steve Holland 1 hour, 15 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -
President George W. Bush, bearing the weight of six years in office, down in the polls and under fire from all sides, is kicking off his last two years in office with a subdued, more humble tone.

It was in evidence on Tuesday night at his State of the Union speech. Gone was the swagger of years past, giving way to pledges to work with Democrats who he had kept at arm's length until they took control of the U.S. Congress.

"Our citizens don't much care which side of the aisle we sit on, as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done," Bush said.

A crisis-laden presidency, barely under way when the September 11 attacks shook America and continuing through wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, has taken its toll on Bush, 60. The hair is grayer, the face more wrinkled.

"What has been remarkable to me is that the responsibilities of the job quickly show up in the eyes, expressions and lines on presidential visages. Bush didn't have that look, until now," said Linda Fowler, a professor of government at Dartmouth College.

[Dora]

1. Very interesting writing.

Mr. Holland has completely depersonalized in this snip here.

"The hair is grayer, the face more wrinkled."

Curious choice, to use the definite article rather than the possessive pronoun.

[AndyA]

2. You figure?

"Our citizens don't much care which side of the aisle we sit on, as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done," Bush said.

I'm pretty sure there's more resentmant toward the GOP right now. And rightly so. So, yes, it does indeed matter which side of the aisle you're on.

You made the bed, now lie in it.

[Robbien]

4. People do care when Bush refuses to call it the

Democratic majority.

Bush is a small man. A very small man.

[RC]

3. Horse pucky!

He sound the way he did and said what he said to put the American people off guard.
He ran for two terms for governor of Texas from the center, then once in office went FAR right. He did the same thing running for pResent. His moderate SOTU BS was only because the Democrats control both houses of congress. He has no intention of following through with anything moderate or reasonable he said.

[kimmerspixelated]

5. Probably fake tears

he had in the begginning as well.