UF experts available to comment on State of the Union address

January 31, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tonight’s State of the Union speech is President Bush’s chance to regain ground with Americans and to create a domestic policy legacy, two University of Florida political science professors said.

“The central point this year is that all of last year’s initiatives failed and contributed to his low approval ratings,” said Kenneth Wald. “It was an atrocious year for the president, and he’ll need to spend this year bringing his approval ratings back up.”

Michael Heaney said he expects Bush will focus on health-care issues when he speaks before Congress tonight. After failing to reform Social Security last year, this year’s address represents his best opportunity to make his mark on domestic policy, Heaney said. “By this time next year, contenders for presidency will be more defined,” he added.

“At this stage, he’s concerned with his legacy … he wants to deal with these large entitlement programs,” said Heaney, who is an expert in health-care policy. “It’s also an opportunity for Bush to say something about ethics reform, in the wake of recent scandals.”

Wald speculated on other potential subjects.

“I expect that education will be a big issue this year because that’s a safe issue,” he said. ”He may also talk about the domestic spying because that has actually had a positive response among the public.”

Wald will be available for comment before the address. He can be reached at (352) 219-5925 or by e-mail at kenwald@polisci.ufl.edu.