phrase the president repeated seven times during his annual State of the Union address framed much of his domestic agenda; "keeping America competitive." He laid out his goals for healthcare, energy, scientific research, education and immigration. He warned against isolationism, urged us to stay the course in Iraq and called for expanded research into alternative energy sources - He told the nation what we already have known for years; "America is addicted to oil."
It has been a tough year for the Chief Executive. Since his last State of the Union address, which came after his victory at the polls for a second term and his inauguration, Mr. Bush had his worst year in office. There was his most unsuccessful campaign to reform social security, a slow and somewhat inept response to hurricane Katrina and the increasingly unpopular war in Iraq. He is, it would appear, a humbled man.
The Democrats, in their response, introduced the newly elected governor of Vermont, Tim Kaine who put it in a nutshell when he criticized the administration for what he called "poor choices and bad management," including the administration's persistence in cutting taxes at a time of growing deficits and a costly continuing war.
Rep. Tom Cole the Oklahoma Republican issued some sound and effective advice for the Democrats when he said "You don't beat ideas with no ideas. The president is willing to put his ideas out there. Democrats have failed to do that. They are using corruption to make up for the ideas they know can't win with the electorate." Altogether the presidential address demonstrated that we have anything but a bold leader with grand ideas. We have leadership transfixed by the up-coming Congressional elections. They certainly don't want to see the Democrats taking their Republican majority in both houses.
Second term presidents frequently turn more  toward foreign policy. Aside from the War on Terror and the insurgency continuing in Iraq we have a president who is more pressured to attend to the domestic needs of the country, but it will be tough as he has less room to operate and less money to spend.
How different the president's approach to certain foreign policy situations than heretofore. Compare Mr. Bush's January 2003 address, which made the case for confronting Saddam Hussein's Iraq - with Iran, today, in contrast to the earlier confrontational tone that Mr. Bush made, he made no direct threats to Iran, despite the fact that Iran is in all likelihood seeking a nuclear arsenal and the Iranians surely have great potential for making our lives very difficult in Iran.
The president still has a full three years left in the White House and he can still turn things around.  But, by almost any measure, Mr. Bush's options are far more limited than they were just one year ago.
And a thought, Mr. President remember how you spoke with derision of your predecessor's incessant talk of remaking the work force to meet the challenges of a global economy? Now we hear you uttering the same thoughts when you "encourage children to take more math and science," and show concern for the rising economies of India and China.
Yes, we are five years into your administration and leadership. No, I don't think any of us are better off than we were or feeling more secure.