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Serious challenges confront successor
US President George W. Bush insisted on Monday he had plenty of unfinished business for his last year in office but he will leave some serious challenges for his successor in January, 2009.
- Reuters
- Published: 23:39 January 29, 2008
Washington: US President George W. Bush insisted on Monday he had plenty of unfinished business for his last year in office but he will leave some serious challenges for his successor in January, 2009.
In his State of the Union address, Bush focused on passing an economic stimulus plan and cutting wasteful spending. He barely touched on some parts of the world. North Korea, a member of his "axis of evil" in 2002, did not rate a mention.
The next president will need to chart a course for the Iraq war, navigate an increasingly tense relationship with Iran and grapple with political turbulence in countries such as Pakistan.
Lingering effects
A worsening budget outlook, the expected lingering effects on the US economy of mortgage and credit crises as well as the rising cost of healthcare are just a few of the domestic issues that will immediately confront Bush's successor.
"The next president is going to face a daunting menu of issues both at home and abroad," said William Galston, a scholar at the Brookings Institution think tank.
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Galston, a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton, said the United States was facing an "arc of crises" extending from Lebanon and the Occupied Territories through Iraq, Iran and Pakistan.
On a broader level, many critics of the Bush administration feel a major priority of the next president will be restoring America's world image after a battering over the Iraq war and detentions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"None of these problems are of the kind where you could snap your fingers and fix them," said Bruce Buchanan, a political scientist at the University of Texas.
As Republican and Democratic candidates vie in the state-by-state contests to pick their party's presidential nominees for the November 4 election, "change" has emerged as the top theme.
Opposition to Bush's policies has been a rallying point for Democratic candidates including Clinton, Illinois Senator Barack Obama and former North Carolina senator John Edwards.
All three have said they will begin pulling US troops out of Iraq swiftly.
MAIN POINTS OF ADDRESS
Iraq
"Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet defeated, and we can still expect tough fighting ahead. Our objective in the coming year is to sustain and build on the gains we made in 2007, while transitioning to the next phase of our strategy. American troops are shifting from leading operations, to partnering with Iraqi forces, and, eventually, to a protective overwatch mission. ...
"Any further drawdown of US troops will be based on conditions in Iraq and the recommendations of our commanders. General Petraeus has warned that too fast a drawdown could result in the 'disintegration of the Iraqi Security Forces, Al Qaida-Iraq regaining lost ground, (and) a marked increase in violence.' Members of Congress: Having come so far and achieved so much, we must not allow this to happen."
Iran
"Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear: Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home, and cease your support for terror abroad. But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital interests in the Arabian Gulf."
Economy and housing crisis
"As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. ... In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth. But in the short run, we can all see that that growth is slowing. So last week, my Administration reached agreement with Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner on a robust growth package that includes tax relief for individuals and families and incentives for business investment."
Immigration
"America needs to secure our borders - and with your help, my administration is taking steps to do so. ... Yet we also need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy.... We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here illegally. Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved. And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals."
Energy and environment
"Let us fund new technologies that can generate coal power while capturing carbon emissions. Let us increase the use of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power. Let us continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels to power the cars and trucks of the future...
"And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases. This agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride."
International trade
"Today, our economic growth increasingly depends on our ability to sell American goods, crops, and services all over the world. So we are working to break down barriers to trade and investment wherever we can. We are working for a successful Doha round of trade talks, and we must complete a good agreement this year. At the same time, we are pursuing opportunities to open up new markets by passing free trade agreements. ... I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with Peru. And now I ask you to approve agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea."
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