Candidate Reactions to the State of the Union

Here is a random sampling of reactions to the state of the Union from some of the Democrats running for President.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut (Kerry also promised to introduce legislation)
"I'm heartened to hear the President speak about creating a sustainable energy independence plan, expanding health care access for the millions of Americans who are uninsured, tackling comprehensive immigration reform and ensuring educational success for all Americans...I remain steadfastly opposed to the President's plan for Iraq, sending thousands more of our nation's men and women into harm's way in a country in the midst of a civil war...Tomorrow in the Foreign Relations Committee, I will offer the legislation I introduced last week which limits troop levels in Iraq without new authorization by Congress in advance."

Former Sen. John Edwards, D-North Carolina (notice the dig on McCain...Edwards is fighting hard already!)
"President Bush's address tonight was heavy on rhetoric, but light on everything else. The American people said they wanted change and what they got was more of the same -- small ideas that won't make a difference in the lives of working Americans...President Bush's decision to adopt the McCain Doctrine and escalate the war in Iraq is terribly wrong. There is no military solution to this civil war. Instead of increasing the number of troops in Iraq, we should immediately withdraw 40-50,000 troops."

Gov. Bill Richardson, D-New Mexico (I like him more and more!)
"Welcome to the party, Mr. President, the rest of the country and the world have been talking and doing something about these issues for years. In addition to being years behind, what the President is proposing doesn't go far enough and isn't realistic...Ultimately we need a 'man-on-the moon' effort focused on energy independence. Anything less will not create the change necessary to make a lasting difference."

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York
"The President finally acknowledged the problem of global warming and the need to develop alternative energy sources, but he did not offer a real plan to deal with climate change or to put us on a path to energy independence. The President finally addressed the need to deal with the health care crisis, but offered a proposal that does nothing make health insurance more affordable or accessible for the millions of uninsured and underinsured Americans. The President called for No Child Left Behind to be reauthorized this year, but has failed to ensure the funding needed to fulfill the promise of this landmark law. And instead of charting a new course in Iraq, including the political solution desperately needed, so that we can begin to bring our troops home, the President continued his defense of failed strategy and his escalation plan in Iraq.