The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary

Notre Dame faculty voiced var­ ied opinions to President Bush’s S tate of the Union A ddress Tuesday night; some praised the strength of parts the speech, while others criticized the policies that were introduced. The speech was a statement of confidence, promise and protec­ tion where the President touted the renewed strength of the econo­ my and his administration’s health care initiatives and encouraged every American to remain vigilant in the fight against terrorism and the efforts of Homeland security. A m erican S tudies P ro fessor Thomas Guglielmo said that the State of the Union Address should be viewed in the context of a cam­ paign speech. “Watching a State of the Union Address is like watching a boxing match,” Guglielmo said. Although Guglielmo said he did not agree with Bush’s statements o r policies, he praised parts of the speech. “To be charita­ ble, it was strik­ ing to lead off with [the Patriot Act] and he is bold and sticking to his guns on the most controversial part of his campaign,” Guglielmo said. I lowever, Guglielmo said he was not su rp r ise d th a t the type of strong assertions that marked last year’s address, including naming See Also