Obama Notes 'Lack of Enthusiasm' for Bush Agenda on Both Sides of the Aisle

ByABC News via logo
January 24, 2007, 9:13 AM

Jan. 24, 2007 — -- Tuesday night's State of the Union address was historic before it even began.

"I have the high privilege and distinct honor of my own as the first president to begin the State of the Union message with these words: 'Madame Speaker,'" Bush said to begin the address.

The president was speaking to a Congress now controlled by Democrats and filled with presidential hopefuls, including Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Bush began the speech addressing his domestic agenda. It was nearly 30 minutes into his remarks that he finally mentioned Iraq.

"This is not the fight we entered in Iraq, but it is the fight we are in," he said.

The president's tone was almost beseeching at times. "Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq," he said. "And I ask you to give it a chance to work."

Obama said today on "Good Morning America" that what was notable about the president's speech was the chilly reception on both sides of the political aisle.

"I think what's interesting would be the lack of enthusiasm on the Republicanside, not just the Democratic side, for the president's approach to Iraq," Obama said.

"You saw in the chamber extraordinary skepticism reflected among the American people for this escalation of troop levels and a continuation of a strategy that hasn't worked."

When it came to talk about balancing the budget or supporting the troops, however, Democrats sprang to their feet, led by their new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

That was no mistake, said George Stephanopolous, host of ABC News' "This Week."

"They had a meeting early yesterday where they discussed how they would take their cues from Nancy Pelosi, and she was very, very disciplined in when she got up and when she didn't," Stephanopolous said. "Whenever the talk was about the president's strategy on Iraq, she stayed sitting, even when Vice President Cheney got up. The minute they talked about the troops, she practically jumped out of her seat and other Democrats followed."

The president acknowledged four Americans: former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, for his work in his native Congo; entrepreneur Julie Aigner Clark, for her work with children; U.S. Army Sgt. Tommy Riemer, for bravery in Iraq; and Wesley Autrey, New York City's "subway superman."