2008 Woodie Awards
Bush Warns Against Isolation
Aaron Fetterman
Issue date: 2/6/06 Section: News
President Bush took his State of the Union message to friendly heartland country Wednesday, arguing that American isolationism will not ease the nation's burdens and reasserting that he operated legally when he ordered a secret domestic surveillance program.
"Let me put it in Texan: If al-Qaida is calling the United States, we want to know," Bush told a receptive crowd at the Grand Ole Opry House.
That line was a variation of one he gave Tuesday night in his State of the Union speech. It is becoming the administration's mantra against critics - which include lawmakers from both political parties _ who question whether Bush had legal authority to order warrantless eavesdropping without permission from a secret federal court created to check such activity. The Senate Judiciary Committee opens hearings on the question Monday.
Several people in the largely supportive audience sided with the president.
"I don't know, I think he did the right thing," said Wendy Foster, a 37-year-old schoolteacher. "What he did was best for the country."
Tickets for the event were distributed through the state Republican Party, Republican members of Congress and organizations considered receptive to Bush's agenda.
Bush stood on a stage festooned with the trappings of a political campaign. He said his main message was to allay concerns about Iraq, the U.S. economy and terrorism - issues that Bush fears are driving Americans to turn inward rather than embrace his vision of changing the world by spreading democracy.
"People are uncertain, in spite of our strong union, because of war," Bush said. "And I understand that. ... And during times of uncertainty it's important for me to do what I'm doing today, which is explain the path to victory, to do the best I can to articulate my optimism about the future."
He warned repeatedly against the danger of "isolationism," which he defined as America pulling back from engagement with the world.
"If we were to withdraw, not only would we cede ground to the terrorists and endanger this country, we would miss a fantastic opportunity to help spread liberty," Bush said.
"Let me put it in Texan: If al-Qaida is calling the United States, we want to know," Bush told a receptive crowd at the Grand Ole Opry House.
That line was a variation of one he gave Tuesday night in his State of the Union speech. It is becoming the administration's mantra against critics - which include lawmakers from both political parties _ who question whether Bush had legal authority to order warrantless eavesdropping without permission from a secret federal court created to check such activity. The Senate Judiciary Committee opens hearings on the question Monday.
Several people in the largely supportive audience sided with the president.
"I don't know, I think he did the right thing," said Wendy Foster, a 37-year-old schoolteacher. "What he did was best for the country."
Tickets for the event were distributed through the state Republican Party, Republican members of Congress and organizations considered receptive to Bush's agenda.
Bush stood on a stage festooned with the trappings of a political campaign. He said his main message was to allay concerns about Iraq, the U.S. economy and terrorism - issues that Bush fears are driving Americans to turn inward rather than embrace his vision of changing the world by spreading democracy.
"People are uncertain, in spite of our strong union, because of war," Bush said. "And I understand that. ... And during times of uncertainty it's important for me to do what I'm doing today, which is explain the path to victory, to do the best I can to articulate my optimism about the future."
He warned repeatedly against the danger of "isolationism," which he defined as America pulling back from engagement with the world.
"If we were to withdraw, not only would we cede ground to the terrorists and endanger this country, we would miss a fantastic opportunity to help spread liberty," Bush said.