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State of the Union, 2005 President Bush delivers the annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress Wednesday night. He outlines his plans for Social Security reform, reviews the ongoing U.S. effort in Iraq and discusses prospects for peace in the Middle East.

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State of the Union, 2005

The annual address to Congress touches on Iraq, the Middle East and Social Security.

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Bush Address Focuses on Social Security

February 3, 2005 • In Tuesday's State of the Union address, President Bush argues that without a major overhaul, Social Security is headed toward bankruptcy. Democrats in the joint session of Congress audibly disagreed. On foreign policy, the president gave no timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops, but issued warnings to other nations in the region that he said promote terrorism.

Fact Check: State of the Union Address

February 3, 2005 • NPR's Steve Inskeep reviews claims from the president's State of the Union speech, and those made to counter it.

Bush Supporters, Critics Weigh in on State of the Union

February 3, 2005 • Reporters across the country informally sample reaction to last night's State of the Union Address: NPR's Greg Allen is in Missouri; Audie Cornish of member station WBUR is in Medford, Mass.; and Tom Banse of Northwest News Network is in Seattle.

Bush to Promote Social Security Reforms in Address

February 2, 2005 • President Bush will touch on many topics in his State of the Union address, but most of the news he makes will probably have to do with Social Security. The president will propose that benefits be unchanged for all workers who are now 55 or older, but that those below that age be subject to new rules.

Opinion

News Analysis

Translating the State of the Union Lexicon

February 2, 2005 • Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr interprets some of the lingo President Bush is likely to use in Wednesday night's State of the Union address.

Freedom, in the Eyes of Bush and History

February 2, 2005 • When President Bush delivers his State of the Union message, he's expected to emphasize the ideals of freedom and liberty, as he did in his Inaugural address. But what does freedom mean today -- and what did it used to mean?

Opinion

Political Corner: State of the Union Address

February 1, 2005 • NPR's Juan Williams is joined by Rev. Joseph Watkins, pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church and former White House aide to President George H.W. Bush, and Ron Walters, professor of political science at the University of Maryland, to discuss President Bush's upcoming State of the Union Address, his recent meetings with conservative black leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus, and a possible promotion for Clarence Thomas.

Democrats Offer State of the Union 'Pre-Buttal'

January 31, 2005 • The top two Democrats in Congress, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, unveil what they called a "pre-buttal" in advance of President Bush's State of the Union address, which will be given Wednesday evening.

Comparing Convention, State of Union Speeches

September 3, 2004 • NPR's Mike Pesca looks back almost 30 years and compares the convention speeches of several incumbent presidents -- including Thursday night's address by President Bush -- with the State of the Union Addresses each gave just months before.

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