Variations of the word “confidence” appeared in the Bush’s State of the Union six times. At times, one could not help envisioning Bush prancing down an Austrian path singing “I Have Confidence” on his way to the von Trapp family home. And like Frauline Maria as she approached the gate, Bush demonstrated anything but confidence in his State of the Union address by admitting defeat, failing to make bold proposals, and…by backing away from the word “reprocessing.”

OK, so here's my quick, instant reaction to Bush's speech and Kaine's response... well, instant for me, since I missed the broadcast and had to stream it at a coffee shop. Hear that noise that sounds suspiciously like a cappuccino machine? That's Ernie succumbing to yuppie creep, $2.55 at a time.

6:54 Fewer abortions and teen pregnancies are falling. Personal responsibility = fufillment.
"Dems you shoul dbe proud of this record"
6:55 Activist courts wanna redefine marriage. Treatable diseases should be treated to. Pessimists are wrong.
6:56 I picked two, count 'em two, Supreme Court justices. YES!!!!
6:56 This was a big news day. Sandra Day O'Connor retired.
The cameraman said "where is she? Why isn't she sitting with her old colleagues. I cant find her."
6:57 Human-Animal hybrids better not be sold on ebay. That would be unacceptable.
6:59 My wife is working on the helping america's youth initiative. She's not going to screw this up like someone did with health care. Wink!
7:00 We're rebuiliding stonger levees in NOLA. We really need to fix things there. The schools are bad too, and residents haven't had good opportunities.
7:01 Blacks disproportionatley have AIDS. This needs to be fixed! They deserve better access to medicine.
7:02 Metaphor about arcs and shores. Now let me pause and compare myself to Lincoln and MLK.
Obama not pleased.
God Bless America.

6:33 Reauthorize the PATRIOT ACT to prevent crime in Africa.
Ben Nelson and Republicans applaud.
6:34 Let me tell you why I like eavesdropping. Other people did it first. It maybe, just maybe, could have prevented 9/11
[ABC discovered picture in Picture. Hillary doesn't like the Prez]
6:36 OK let me backtrack. Good Presidents you read about in history books didn't believed in isloationism. And neither do i.
6:37 The economy too. 4.6 Million new jobs, that's more than Japan and EU combined.
6:38 China gives us uncertainty.
Unexpected applause.
6:39 We dont retreat. In nation building or economic growth. Americans need more of ther money. Tax cuts were good and led to uninterrupted economic growth. Please don't let my tax bill to phase out. Responsibility=Permanant cuts.
Democrats sit for this one.
6:41 We've reduced the growth of not security discretionary spending. I will cut more programs to save $14B. Let's cut the def in half in 2009.
McCain takes a clap.
6:42 Line item veto please! I'd really appreciate.
Joke about Bill Clinton. Hillary not amused.
6:43 What will congress do if we dont cut taxes.
6:43 Dems take a bow. We kept you from saving Social Security.
6:44 I want a commission to help save SS from baby boomers. Greedy boomers!
6:45 We want people to buy American.
6:45 Let's talk about Immigration. I want orderly and secure borders. More enforcement and protection. And humane guest worker policy.
6:46 Affordable healthe care is smart too. Gov't is meeting responsibility of providing for the poor already. We will use technology to save money.
6:47 Lawsuits are driving docs out of business. Many women don't have OBGYNs
6:48 America is addicted to oil from unstable regions. Threshold of incredible advances. 22% increase in clean energy research. We want coal plants and solar energy
AND wait for it
Nuclear Energy.
6:49 I like the Prius and Enthanol from wood. lets do this in six years. Deal?
6:50 By 2025 we can get away from Mideast oil.
[Is that optimistic or pessimistic? I have no idea.]
6:50 Here's a new one fro those education wonks "american competitiveness initiative." Math + science + reaearch + development + nanotechnology = impoved quality of life. By the way, Kids: You have to take AP classes and Ace math tests. It's really important.

6:23 The military will make military decisions. Not the politicians, in Warshinton.
6:24 Don't crititicze me! Only Republicans clap.
6:24 Leaving Iraq will mean handing Iraq to Zarqawi and Bin Laden.
6:25 Soldiers know the costs of urban warfare. I'm going to read a letter written by a fallen Staff Sargent addressed to his family.
6:27 Military families sacrifice too.
[I wish he would talk about policy already.]
6:29 Egypt voted! Palestine did to. THEY MUST RECOGNIZE ISRAEL AND DISARM, WORK FOR LASTING PEACE.
6:30 The Mideast will democrtitize. I assert this as true.
Iranian government better not get nukes. We respect you an your conutry and we want tot be best friends. But you gotta be free first.
6:32 I know about Africa too. Disease is really bad there. Especially AIDS and Malaria.

Hello Readers,
I will be liveblogging the State of the Union. I'm sitting in the IGS Library at UC Berkeley surrounded by Political Science Professors and a number of students. I'm watching ABC where George Stephanopolus is giving instant political commentary. I'll try to leave partisanism at the door. Expect some sarcasm!

6:05: Handshakes, handshakes, handshakes.
6:09 Bill Livinggood announces the prez, he kisses a lot of cheeks and makes it to the podium.
6:11 Prez hands the speech to the the Speaker and the VP. Thats it He's met his constitutional obligation. That was easy.
Prex introduced to US. Congress applauds. I hope this voice over commentary goes away
6:12 W starts talking. Honors the passing of Corretta Scott King. Smart opening!
6:13 He is humbled. That's the second time tonight. Our differences should be respected. Prez will play game
6:14 IT'S OFFICIAL STATE OF UNION IS STRONG.
6:15 The US will continue to lead by our leadership.
Fighting terrorism is not "idealism"
6:16 Democracies respect the rights of their neighbors. Freedom = respect
McCain is not a smiler!
6:16 Democracy is spreading, look at Afganistan and Iraq
He didn't mention Palesstine but mentioned Iran. Hmmmm.
6:17 Radical islam is an ideology of terror and death. They are totalitarian, and completely unlike us. They use fear. And blow up things.
Applause for "loving freedom"
6:19 Isolationism is not going to happen. There is no honor in retreat. Believing in our own ideals means that we must be involved in combatting terror worldwide. (THESIS)
6:19 He just invoked the holocaust. Well...liberating camps as a parallel to fighting terror.