"You know, he got rather specific in terms of the number of new people he was going to try to recruit for teaching math and science," Deal said from Washington during an interview on the Bill & Joel Morning Show on WDUN NEWS TALK 550.
Deal, a Republican, also praised the president for being pointed about the war on terror and the controversial eavesdropping program the administration has in place.
Deal said there was one line in that part of the speech in particular that jumped out at him. "The line when he said we will not just sit idly by and be attacked again.
Some Democratic members of the Georgia Congressional delegation, however, were not as generous in their assessment of the speech.
David Scott of Atlanta criticized the president's leadership and communication skills with numerous world leaders, saying, ``Other countries hate the United States right now from his cocky demeanor.''
``I'm not here kick down the president,'' said Scott. ``But his confidence is shown as arrogance. That's not the way he should approach these other countries.''
Scott did back Bush in his efforts toward recognizing the overusage of oil and taking the next step forward in technology, saying he believes the president is finally on target. But Scott believed that healthcare, retirement funds for war veterans and the missteps after Hurricane Katrina are areas where the Bush administration needs to make progress.
``He will be our president for three more years, so everyone has to deal with it,'' he added.
For once, though, Democrats disagreed. Rep. John Barrow saw a humbler approach by the president and said the speech indicated an extra effort toward improving healthcare.
``It's different than the my way or the highway attitude he had from last year,'' Barrow said.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a Republican, said Bush looked confident and determined as a leader. He pointed out how the president acknowledged Iran's leaders as being potential friends someday.
``He's the most powerful man in the world,'' Chambliss said. ``He was firm when talking about Iran and toward their leadership. I thought his vision is significant.''
The speech lasted just over 50 minutes, and every Republican agreed that Bush showed he is on the verge of taking major steps in the war on terror, energy independence and education.
``Tonight President Bush targeted the kitchen table issues that top the concerns of Georgians,'' said Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, a Republican. Rep. Phil Gingrey, a Republican who is a doctor, said Bush's call for better technology will provide many of the answers
Americans need.
``You can go to Antarctica to pull out cash and have no problem,'' he said. ``But if I had a heart problem there, they wouldn't have any idea what to do with me. With President Bush addressing that the nation must use technology more, I think we are heading in the right direction.''
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/2/116558