George W. Bush and His State of Union Addresses

"I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility, to serve the public interest with courage, to speak for greater justice and compassion, to call for responsibility and try to live it, as well."
These sentiments were expressed by President George W Bush while inaugurating his presidency in 2001. After eight years in office, his State of the Union Address on 28th January 2008 summed up his tenure, though the role of conviction, public interest and compassion in framing policy is open to debate. 9/11 determined the focus of Bush presidency on the global war on terror. But the roots of his 'global campaign for freedom' runs through all his State of the Union Addresses, including the one delivered before 9/11.
In his Inaugural Address in 2001, the President clearly stated that America would build her defences beyond challenge, lest weakness invites challenge, and weapons of mass destruction will be confronted to spare the new century their horrors. In his own, "the enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engaged in the world, by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom." The assault on the challengers to American freedom was made eight months before the terrorist strike on the World Trade Centre.
The agenda spelled out at the inauguration of the Bush presidency remains ambitious towards the end of Bush's presidential tenure. At the close of his first presidency, he had re-emphasized the challenges encountered in the global war against terrorism. The State of Union Address in 2004 referred less to American successes, and more to local problems and the inherent difficulties of the democratic experience. In the first four years, President Bush had the determination to realize the tasks set forth but the 2005 State of the Union Address made it clear that much had yet to be accomplished and that the journey was longer and more challenging than the one already traversed. In his 2008 State of the Union Address, President Bush explicitly stated that the "???enemy is still dangerous and more work remains". He further asserted, "Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet defeated, and we can still expect tough fighting ahead."
The Bush era's foreign policy has impacted strongly on domestic politics in a characteristic American 'awe and shock' style. In his State of the Union Address in 2007, President Bush proudly announced the economic growth of America and referred to the low rate of unemployment and inflation. The 2008 State of the Union Address occurred in the midst of strong fears of an economic recession. Armed with an Economic Stimulus plan and several other strategies, Bush has attempted to allay growing economic fears in America. The grim economic conditions have multiplied the criticism of the Bush presidency over his Afghanistan and Iraq policies. His presidency has indeed diversified the challenges that America faced when he took oath as President in 2001.
The hall mark of the Bush Presidency has been an intense self-defined justification of his executive actions. It is some kind of pre-emptive rationale to defend every policy of his administration. In his various State of the Union Addresses, President Bush refers to the movement for peace in some areas and the death and devastation in others. But according to him, the advance of liberty is opposed by terrorists and extremists -- evil men who despise freedom, despise America, and want to subject millions to violent rule. Nowhere is the failure and violence attributed to flaws in US strategy and approach. Foreign policy during the Bush presidency has been based on a clear premise: that people, when given the chance, will choose freedom and peace. The timing for exercising this choice and the qualifications required for democratic rule are defined by the Bush administration. For countries like Iraq and Iran the time had come, while for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia the choice of freedom has still not arrived.
The faith in America's democratizing mission runs through all the State of the Union Addresses delivered by President Bush. In the twilight months of his presidency, it is hoped that he will leave behind some positive and promising examples of sustainable freedom and democracy around the world. President Bush is right in stating that "the actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security and prosperity of our nation long after this session has ended." But time will tell whether the effect of his actions will lead to more challenges or more rewards for the American nation.