SOTU - What Will Norm Say This Year?

For my friends back home in the northwoods a few notes from "Norm" on past SOTU addresses.

After Years of Glowing Praise, Will He Still Support Bush’s Failed
Foreign, Domestic Policies?
When George Bush delivers his final State of the Union address on Monday, Minnesotans will be listening carefully to both the president’s speech and Norm Coleman’s reaction. In years past, Coleman has praised Bush’s addresses, speaking glowingly of the foreign and domestic policies that have today resulted in U.S. troops caught in a civil war abroad and a slowing economy and a growing housing crisis at home.

“For years, Norm Coleman applauded as Bush announced policies that have led to foreign policy disasters abroad and a slowing economy at home,” DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said. “When Bush lays out his plans for his final year in office, Minnesotans will be watching Norm Coleman to see if he continues to endorse Bush’s failed policies or if he will finally start listening to them instead.”

FLASHBACK:
2004: Coleman Said Bush Was “Right On Target” in State Of The Union. After President Bush’s 2004 State of the Union address, Norm Coleman said, “The
President's message was right on target…The war in Iraq was necessary to get rid
of Saddam. The tax cuts were necessary to pull us out of recession. Now we need
to dedicate ourselves to the hard work and patience of seizing the opportunities
those bold steps made possible.” [Coleman Press Release, 1/20/04]

2005: Coleman Said Bush’s State of the Union Was Bold and Aggressive, Added That Iraq Was “Democratized.” In response to President Bush’s 2005 State of the Union address, Norm Coleman said, “The President has been very bold in laying out an aggressive agenda for his second term, and tonight he presented us with a blueprint. In his address tonight, required each year by our Constitution, President Bush reaffirmed his already proven steadfast commitment to fighting a relentless war on terror in the newly democratized Iraq and anywhere else terrorists lurk around the globe. He also reminded us that our work in Iraq is far from over.” [Coleman Press Release, 2/2/05]

2006: Coleman Said State Of The Union “Candid and Optimistic.” After President Bush’s 2006 State of the Union speech in 2006, Norm Coleman said, “Tonight the President clearly communicated a candid and optimistic State of the Union address that addressed the concerns and aspirations of all Minnesotans. I agree with the President: We live in historic times. We are gaining the advantage in the War on Terror, we are experiencing a healthy and robust economy, and we have continued to meet unprecedented national challenges with characteristic resiliency and strength.” [Coleman Press Release, 1/31/06]

2007: Coleman Said Bush Laid Out A “Robust Domestic Agenda” State Of The Union. In response to President Bush’s 2007 State of the Union speech, Norm Coleman said, “The president’s speech laid out a robust domestic agenda that addresses concerns on the minds of many Americans.” [Coleman Press Release, 1/23/07]