Lip Service to Important Issues

It is unfortunate that tonight the President missed a real opportunity to demonstrate leadership and accept the need for change.

As in previous addresses, the President paid lip service to new forms of energy and fuel economy, but continued to focus on oil drilling and nuclear power. I’m pleased to note that the President did mention “climate change” tonight, however, and I’m ready to work with him on alternative fuels and conservation.

Most of all, I am disappointed the President continued to advance his mistaken plan to escalate the war in Iraq. Tonight, he failed again to embrace the reality that a new, diplomatic approach is needed.

At a time when America is facing complex challenges that require bold, innovative solutions, President Bush regrettably offered the country more of the same stubborn adherence to a failed course in Iraq, maintained a misguided emphasis on oil, coal, and nuclear power, and continued to put corporate interest over those of working families. I am confident that over the coming months Congress will be able to advance the new, creative answers that the American people deserve.