Facing a critical Democratic Congress and an unconvinced public, President Bush plans today in his State of the Union address to reaffirm his leadership by focusing on domestic issues such as alternative energy sources and health care.
He also plans to take the opportunity to defend his new strategy in Iraq, which proposed an increase of more than 20,000 troops abroad and was met with sour opposition from Congress and a doubtful American public.
In light of his unfavorable policies abroad and the first Democratic Congress in 12 years, Bush plans to present a more conciliatory tone by reiterating the need for greater energy security and focusing on the rising cost of health care. But these issues have not been a priority for the administration in the past, said political science Professor Mark Peterson.
With some states such as California already taking steps to handle the increasing cost of health care, Bush will propose a tax break for individuals who are purchasing their own health insurance, according to White House officials.
“Our challenge is clear: We must address these rising costs, so that more Americans can afford basic health insurance,” Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address. “And we need to do it without creating a new federal entitlement program or raising taxes.”
If Congress approves Bush’s proposal, it would be the first time tax breaks have been offered for those buying their own insurance. It would also be the first time taxes have been added to employer-provided health insurance.
Between 46 million to 48 million people in the country are estimated to be uninsured.
Public policy Professor Michael Dukakis, a former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee, criticized conservatives’ approach to health care and said he believes the Bush plan will likely be inefficient because tax breaks would not help people with low incomes or people with pre-existing conditions.
Dukakis suggested that Bush instead turn to other health care reform options, such as universal health care. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently proposed universal health care for California.
The president also plans to discuss other domestic issues such as energy, hoping to bridge an ideological schism in the legislature through a broad policy, said political science Professor Scott James.
During his State of the Union address last year, Bush warned the United States of its addiction to oil, and pledged to search for alternatives to oil and for greater energy security.
Bush is expected to once again highlight the importance of finding alternative fuel sources, though critics say he has done little to help fuel conservation.
“Since 2002, the energy efficiency programs at the Energy Department have dropped by a third in real dollars,” said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, an advocacy group.
And despite the appeasing legislation, some experts say there may be little Bush can do now to appeal to the Democratic Congress.
“The president is trying to build bridges to the Democratic majority in Congress and finding an area where there might be common ground,” James said.
But this attempt could be coming too late in Bush’s presidential term.
With Democrats already building campaign mobilization for the 2008 presidential election and many questioning the president’s credibility, James said Bush now represents a “lame-duck” president.
Peterson attributed the credibility problem to what he called the administration’s delayed response to global warming and the events following Hurricane Katrina. Though Democrats will still respect his position as president, his policies have injured his credibility.
“The majority party will be respectful of the office, but skeptical about the individual,” Peterson said.
Having been met with criticism by legislators in both parties, Bush plans to defend in the State of the Union address his foreign policies and strategies, and to maintain the validity of his proposal earlier this month to send additional troops to Iraq to help pacify the political situation abroad.
But he said he still acknowledges the mistakes made in the unpopular war, which he accepts as his own responsibility.
“Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me,” Bush said in a speech earlier this month.
The president also plans to speak about renewing the No Child Left Behind Act, an education law, and to preserve tax cuts while balancing the budget.
With reports from Bruin wire services.