Prof: State of the Union maps strategy to 2006, 2008 elections

"Without a doubt, terrorism and the war in Iraq will drive most of the address, as well as domestic issues such as tax cuts, business growth and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast," says Bert Rockman, professor of political science.

Rockman also is co-editor of a book series that assesses the terms of former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as the first term of George W. Bush, and is currently preparing a book on the George W. Bush presidency.

"Don't expect to hear about Social Security or the current controversy about government surveillance. But listen for language the president will use to say that he and his administration are doing what is necessary to ensure Americans' safety. His rhetoric will likely touch on the administration's surveillance tactics as a necessary element in the war on terrorism."

The 2006 State of the Union address is Jan. 31 at 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Rockman says the political pressure is building with the 2006 midterm elections, along with the expectation that the Republicans will lose a number of seats in Congress.

"This address is a signal of strategies, and it will outline what the president can do in the next two years," says Rockman, who also is head of the Department of Political Science. "And, the Democrats' response that will follow the address will highlight what issues Democrats will concentrate on for the 2008 election."

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Bert Rockman, (765) 494-4162, rockman@polsci@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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