Is the state of our union strong?

Posted By Mike Boyer Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 1:28 PM Share

There's a certain amount of comfort in hearing a president declare, in the opening lines of the State of the Union address, that the state of our union is strong. Last night, for the second year in a row, George W. Bush did not do that. He tucked the line away at the end of his remarks. Every year between 2002 and 2006, that line was up front. Last year, 2007, it made the last paragraph. And last night, the line was left for the penultimate sentence. Are we left to assume America is growing weaker?

2002, third sentence:

[T]he state of our Union has never been stronger."

2003, seventh sentence:

...our union is strong."

2004, 12th sentence:

...the state of our union is confident and strong."

2005, fifth sentence:

...the state of our union is confident and strong."

2006, ninth sentence:

Tonight the state of our Union is strong...."

2007, last paragraph

...because the State of our Union is strong."

2008, penultimate sentence:

...and the state of our Union will remain strong."

EXPLORE:NORTH AMERICA, BUSH ADMINISTRATION, POLITICS, U.S. CONGRESS

Passport, FP’s flagship blog, brings you news and hidden angles on the biggest stories of the day, as well as insights and under-the-radar gems from around the world.