The content is predictable, boilerplate stuff about working together with the Democrats, the challenges that face our nation, what the administration has accomplished to date, etc... Not to belittle what the president says, but to note that its the means whereby he says it that is extraordinary in this case.

The leadership of the Democrat party of objectively a bunch of crooks and liars. Jack Murtha, John Conyers? Dim, but cunning, greedy and corrupt--like rotting fish in the political parlor--these are not people that Bush excepts anything from except possibly a virus. Nancy Pelosi? Her beginning was not auspicious--more "godfather" than stateswoman.

No, Bush is making the case that he's a uniter, not a divider and its a fine time to make such a case because the Democrats are already hell-bent on demonstrating who the true divisive force in this country is. He'll reach out to the bluedog Democrats and let the Crats impose their will with jackboot and riding crop--the contrast will be magnificent and the media, with their "truth-to-power" reflex, will lay bare every move.

You would think the Crats would see this coming, and perhaps they do--but the party, particularly the senior cadre, simply won't be able to tear themselves away from their well-entrenched vices.

I believe that the Crats are in for a surprise--they have already publicly announced their plans to subpoena the executive branch into a frenzy, but they will find that the mood of country is geared for solutions rather than retribution. Nobody is going to be fooled with symbolic acts like raising the minimum wage--they are going to have to grapple with the tough issues and I see no glimmer that they are ready, willing or able to do so.

Bush, to his credit, has seen the future and positioned himself to best profit from it.