While President George W. Bush highlighted his second-term strategies Wednesday night — emphasizing Social Security plans and last weekend’s historic elections in Iraq — some students tuned in, and others chose not to watch.
For math senior Tom Hulse, the State of the Union address was not a priority.
“I was too busy watching ‘Myth Busters’ [on The Learning Channel] and forgot it was on,” Hulse said.
Gretchen Haney, a general studies senior, said Bush handled himself well.
“I think Bush did a good job in offering a plan to address the goals he presented,” Haney said. “He didn’t try to run away from the fact that people are dying in Iraq, but he is trying to raise the amount of money given to the families of the soldiers who have died in the war.”
Austin Holliday, an anthropology junior, said Social Security needs to be reformed and that he agrees with the president’s approach.
“I liked how he pointed out several different bipartisan plans to fix Social Security,” Holliday said.
But Ryan Deville, a senior computer science student, disagreed. He said he chose not to watch Bush’s speech because he is a Democrat and disagrees with most Republican platforms.
“I don’t like being lied to,” Deville said. “I don’t want to hear the same things again.”
Emily Faget, a mass communication freshman, said she tried to watch the president’s speech but changed the channel after a few minutes.
“I was watching it, but I couldn’t tell you much about it because he was using big words to sound smart,” Faget said. “I got frustrated and watched ‘The Simpsons’ instead.”
Jane Hogan, a Russian studies senior, said she did not watch the speech because it did not affect her.
“There was nothing new he could have said,” Hogan said. “Besides, I’m ‘peacing’ out of this country as soon as I graduate anyway.”
Many students missed last night’s address because of homework.
“I didn’t have any time last night,” said Heather Gonsoulin, a kinesiology sophomore. “I had to study for two tests.”
Gonsoulin was not the only one.
“I had to study,” said Lisa Haefner, a freshman graphic design major. “My grades are a little more important to me than the State of the Union is right now.”