Editor’s Note: This is the Democratic reaction to President Bush’s State of the Union address. For the Republican reaction, click here.

After last night’s State of the Union address, ISU Democrats gave their opinions on the good and bad of the speech.

The first subject touched on was a balanced budget and the economy, which Bush said was strong and growing.

Brian Phillips, junior in political science and member of the ISU Democrats, disagreed with the plan.

“I don’t think it’s going to work,” Phillips said. “You can’t have an expensive war and have tax cuts for the wealthy and have a balanced budget.”

Bush’s next big subject was the national border. He promised more reform and a solution that concentrates “without animosity and amnesty.”

“I agree with it,” Phillips said. “We need better process to allow people in [the country].”

Tyler Platt, freshman in engineering and member of the ISU Democrats said a temporary guest work program would be a good idea, but doesn’t think the Republican party would go for it since a lot of conservative Republicans are in favor of harsh border controls and deportation.

The next topic addressed was Bush’s new energy policy, in which he plans to cut 20 percent of gasoline consumption in ten years.

Phillips thinks this is a positive goal, however he feels differently regarding the troop increase.

“Troop increase is not the right direction. I think it is up to the American people to look to the Congress for a better, long term solution,” Phillips said.

On the new strategy in Iraq, both Democrats were of the same idea.

“It was really the same old, same old. I think we need to police the area but I don’t think that the Bush Administration has the political credibility to get other countries to help us,” Platt said.

ISU Democrat president Sarah Sunderman was unavailable for comment.