Practical Solutions to Challenging Problems

In the new agenda outlined in his State of the Union address, President Bush emphasized that he will work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to address a broad range of domestic and foreign policy challenges.

Among the most important are reducing our dependence on petroleum by developing alternative energy programs, building on the progress already accomplished in improving our children’s education, renewing a commitment to tackle the worldwide problem of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and making health care affordable for all Americans. I am committed to working with my colleagues to seek practical solutions to these challenging problems.

In matters of national security, our goal must be to develop a national consensus on U.S. policy toward Iraq and Afghanistan.  Division will have very negative consequences for our nation and our security interests.  Failure there will inevitably be felt in the form of renewed terrorism.  Given the high stakes involved, those who seek to block the President’s plan to stabilize Iraq have a moral obligation to present an alternative plan for securing American objectives and interests in that country.