President Bush spoke Monday night on the State of the Union. Not everyone agreed with what he had to say. From Minnesota’s Congress members and candidates to LGBT groups, environmental groups and Sen. Larry Craig, Bush faces a tough time in the press release flood following his speech.Rep. James Oberstar, DFL-Minn.:

“As he recycles his flawed plans for the war in Iraq, the war on terrorism, and the economy, President Bush has demonstrated that his administration is intellectually bankrupt.  There are enormous challenges confronting our nation, but President Bush’s obstinate pursuit of failed policies confirms that he is unwilling to embrace new ideas.

“To be sure, our nation has unfinished business.  As President Bush begins his final year in office, he has not fulfilled his commitment to unite the country and leave no child behind; with his unwise decision to engage in a unnecessary war against Iraq, he has undermined our moral authority to win the war against terrorism; his unsound economic policies have burdened our nation with unsustainable deficits and now economic decline.  While I am pleased that President Bush has sought cooperation to enact an economic stimulus package, I encourage President Bush to join with Congress to work for effective bipartisan solutions to address our nation’s urgent needs.”

Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn.:

“I’m pleased that this was President Bush’s last State of the Union speech. The American people are demanding change in Washington’s priorities and while the Congress has made some progress, the President has been a consistent roadblock. Tonight we heard more of the same from the President. What we need is a change in priorities.

“I, like many Americans, had high hopes for the President’s State of the Union Address: We wanted to hear his plan to make the economy work for all Americans, his plan to truly change the course in Iraq, and his plan to make health care available and affordable to everyone. Instead of rolling up his sleeves and sitting down with us in Congress to make the changes the American people are waiting for, the President delivered uninspiring sound bites.

“Tomorrow, the House will vote on an economic stimulus package to help ensure American families can afford the rising costs of food and heat during this economic downturn. And in the coming weeks, we will try again to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program so that more of America’s kids can get the health care they need. These are America’s priorities and I will continue to fight for our kids and families.

“I believe strongly that despite the economic downturn, the future holds great promise for America. Democrats and Republicans found common ground on the economic stimulus package and I am hopeful that we can sit down and work together on more issues.”

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho:

“Today the President echoed the theme of his campaign eight years ago – trusting and empowering Americans. The President trusts Americans and wants to empower them to make responsible choices in healthcare, Social Security, how to spend the money they earn, the schools their children attend, and more. Americans are educated, creative, and capable – they can best make the decisions that most directly affect them.

“I question whether handing out cash for Americans to spend is the best way to stimulate our economy. While our economy is not in a recession yet, we do need to consider how best to turn it around. While the tax rebates are clearly rooted in our trust in Americans and our desire to empower them, other stimuli are better positioned to help our economy.”

Bob Olson, DFL candidate for Minnesota 6th Congressional district:

“On a day when five troops were killed in Iraq, President Bush failed to deliver the exit plan our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have earned.

“On a day when 9 million children went uninsured, President Bush failed to deliver health care coverage for the most vulnerable among us.

“On a day when millions of working families worried about losing their homes, President Bush failed to deliver a plan to end the agony.

“On a day when his country needed him most, President Bush failed the great test of leadership-again.”

Jon Hoadley, Executive Director of the National Stonewall Democrats:

“For eight years, we’ve heard President Bush report on the progress of his administration. Unfortunately for LGBT Americans, there has been little effort on behalf of this White House to secure or defend our own liberties.

Now, as we enter this new year, it is time for our community to provide for ourselves our own vision of how we can contribute to a more perfect union – one that is strong and that uplifts the entire American family.

In a year when voters will decide who will next occupy the White House, we must work to ensure that elected is an advocate for all Americans.”

John Passacantando, Executive Director, Greenpeace USA:

“Rather than offer real solutions to global warming, the President has repeatedly kowtowed to the oil and energy industries by sowing confusion on the science and offering policies that are comparable to throwing a thimble-full of water on a raging fire.

Tonights speech contains no new initiatives on global warming. Instead, the President recycles more of the same: more subsidies for dirty coal and dangerous nuclear power and, for old times sake, one last try effort to open Alaskas pristine National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.”