University students and professors expressed mixed sentiments in reaction to President Bush's State of the Union Address last night.
As President Bush delivered his address, he optimistically alluded to his administration's efforts to provide adequate healthcare, improve education, consider alternative energy sources and combat terrorism.
Still, Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato said Bush's speech will not succeed in improving his long-term approval rating.
"We're at the point in the Bush presidency where speeches don't change people's minds," Sabato said. "That was obvious in the House chamber where Democrats and Republicans appeared to be from two different planets, and it will be obvious in post-speech polls. This may give Bush a boost for a week or two, if it does that."
Gov. Tim Kaine gave a response on behalf of Democrats and criticized the Bush administration's "poor choices and bad management."
As identified by Kaine, such poor choices include the Bush administration's mismanagement of the national debt, efforts in Iraq, education and health care.
"Over the past five years, we've gone from huge surpluses to massive deficits," Kaine said.
However, he said politicians were able to put partisanship aside in Virginia and successfully "keep the budget balanced, preserve Virginia's strong credit rating, and protect the essential services families rely on: education, health care and law enforcement."
Some students disagreed. College Republicans Chair Brian Gunn lauded the president for his consistent views.
The President's speech tonight represented a success for the values and ideals held by a majority of Americans," Gunn said. "Despite continuing undeserved criticism from the left, Bush has stayed the course and since Sept. 11th there has not been another terrorist attack on American soil."
According to University Democrats President Katie Cristol, Bush's promises aren't reflective of his administration's history.
"The bottom line is it sounded like a great set of proposals, but it is in serious contrast with his record," Cristol said, adding that Kaine's national appearance on behalf of the Democrats emulated a contrast to Bush's political image.
"Look at the last five years under Bush, at the jobs lost and lives lost overseas, and then contrast it to the past four years in Virginia, and you've got quite a picture," Cristol said. "Kaine is emblematic of what bipartisanship has done and can do in Virginia."
Despite varying political beliefs, Medical School Dean Arthur Garson Jr. pointed out key issues at hand that directly impact college-age youth. Garson said health care, an issue both Bush and Kaine addressed, is something of special interest to college students, since the majority of the uninsured are between the ages of 19 and 29.
"The uninsured are the people you meet everyday," Garson said. "They are the people that know our names up and down Route 29 North. They're in fast food places, cleaners, restaurants."
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