Washington (AP) - President Bush, in a push to take charge of the election-year agenda, is expected to say Tuesday that "America is addicted to oil" and must break its dependence on foreign suppliers in unstable parts of the world. In his State of the Union address, Bush also is expected to renew his commitment to the central pledge of his inaugural address. "Our nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal - we seek the end of tyranny in our world," he plans to say. "The future security of America depends on it."
Excerpts were released in advance of the 9 p.m. EST speech.
Bush will discuss troubles at home and abroad and say the nation needs to strengthen its competitiveness in the global economy. He is expected to call for a major new emphasis on math and science education.
"The American economy is pre-eminent but we cannot afford to be complacent," the president plans to say. "In a dynamic world economy, we are seeing new competitors like China and India."
"Our great advantage in the world has always been our educated, hardworking, ambitious people - and we are going to keep that edge," the president is to say.
With the war in Iraq about to enter its fourth year and more than 2,240 American troops killed, Bush will say the nation must not falter in what he called the central front in the war on terror.
"In a time of testing, we cannot find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders," he is expected to say. "If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores."
Hampered by huge budget deficits and the unpopular war in Iraq, Bush is offering modest initiatives to address soaring energy and health care costs and the nation's dependence on foreign sources of oil.
"America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world," he plans to say. "The best way to break this addiction is through technology."
Oil prices are inching toward $70 a barrel, and the president's goal of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers has been issued by the White House over the decades but never realized. Bush's primary proposal is to increase federal research into alternative fuels such as ethanol made from weeds or wood chips, instead of corn.
He also is to push for construction of new nuclear power plants and increased use of wind, solar and clean-coal technologies.
On health care, Bush plans to say, "Our government has a responsibility to help provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility. For all Americans, we must confront the rising cost of care ... strengthen the doctor-patient relationship ... and help people afford the insurance coverage they seek."
Written By TERENCE HUNT
Excerpts were released in advance of the 9 p.m. EST speech.
Bush will discuss troubles at home and abroad and say the nation needs to strengthen its competitiveness in the global economy. He is expected to call for a major new emphasis on math and science education.
"The American economy is pre-eminent but we cannot afford to be complacent," the president plans to say. "In a dynamic world economy, we are seeing new competitors like China and India."
"Our great advantage in the world has always been our educated, hardworking, ambitious people - and we are going to keep that edge," the president is to say.
With the war in Iraq about to enter its fourth year and more than 2,240 American troops killed, Bush will say the nation must not falter in what he called the central front in the war on terror.
"In a time of testing, we cannot find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders," he is expected to say. "If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores."
Hampered by huge budget deficits and the unpopular war in Iraq, Bush is offering modest initiatives to address soaring energy and health care costs and the nation's dependence on foreign sources of oil.
"America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world," he plans to say. "The best way to break this addiction is through technology."
Oil prices are inching toward $70 a barrel, and the president's goal of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers has been issued by the White House over the decades but never realized. Bush's primary proposal is to increase federal research into alternative fuels such as ethanol made from weeds or wood chips, instead of corn.
He also is to push for construction of new nuclear power plants and increased use of wind, solar and clean-coal technologies.
On health care, Bush plans to say, "Our government has a responsibility to help provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility. For all Americans, we must confront the rising cost of care ... strengthen the doctor-patient relationship ... and help people afford the insurance coverage they seek."
Written By TERENCE HUNT
