Story Archives of 'George W. Bush'

This will be President Bush's final address to Congress, and one that’s expected to focus heavily on domestic issues such as health care, education and the economy. We’ll talk about what he said, and what the reaction to the speech may be.

Guests

• Dean Spiliotes, political analyst and commentator at NHPoliticalCapital.com, formerly with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics
• Bill Martel, Associate Professor of International Security Studies at the Tufts University Fletcher School of Diplomacy

We'll Also Hear From

• Russ Thibeault, President of Applied Economic Research in Laconia

When President Bush delivers his State of the Union address Tuesday night, he is expected to drop the traditional laundry list of programs and initiatives and instead focus on a few key areas where he and the Democratically-controlled Congress may agree. Among the topics to be discussed; healthcare, the environment, education and of course, the war in Iraq. We'll have post-speech analysis on what the President said and didn't say as well as how much the war in Iraq and the fight on terrorism colored the speech. Laura's guests are Dean Spiliotes, Director of Research for the Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College; Tom Rath, Republican Party National Committeeman for New Hampshire and longtime Republican analyst and consultant and Ricia McMahon, State Representative from Sutton and Newbury, former Democratic State Party Executive Director and State Director for Bill Clinton's 1992 New Hampshire general election campaign.

President Bush gives his State of the Union address Tuesday night. Topics he's expected to speak to are wide ranging from health care reform to immigration to the N.S.A.'s domestic spying program to the war in Iraq. We'll recap Bush's speech, listen to highlights, and get reaction and analysis from both sides of the political aisle. Laura's guests are Arnie Arnesen, host of "My TV Prime" on WNDS and Drew Cline, editorial page editor at the Union Leader. Drew also writes a blog for the Union Leader.

In Washington, politicians are debating whether the US presence in Iraq is enflaming or calming the almost daily violence in that country. This week, New Hampshire Public Radio presents the views of people who have spent significant time in Iraq. We begin with reporter Dan Gorenstein's conversation with New Hampshire National Guardsman Ray Valas. Valas lives in Bow. He served in Iraq for one year as an Infantry Company Commander for about 250 soldiers.

President Bush has been taking his crusade to privatize Social Security around the country.

Wednesday's stop was Portsmouth.

NHPR Correspondent Roger Wood attended the event and files this report.