Democratic Response To 2006 State of The Union Address - Kaine's Theme: "A Better Way"

Kaine's Theme: "A Better Way"

Kaine offers "good news," stating that "Virginia and other states" were succeeding "by focusing on service, competent management and results," the theme of his speech. He also points out that, under previous Governor Mark Warner, Virginia was voted "Best Managed State," in order to draw a stark contrast with the financial state of the nation, saying a citizen has "a right to expect that your government can deliver results."

He then poses a series of hypothetical situations using anaphora through repition of "When...." The situation of " a crime or a fire, you expect that police and firefighters have the tools to respond" invokes memories of the September 11, 2001 attacks, "When there's a natural disaster, you expect a well-managed response," a criticism of the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina, and, "When you send your children to school, you expect them to be prepared for success," a general attack on Education in the United States.

He particularly criticizes the government's fiscal policy, insisting that citizens "have a right to expect government to be fiscally responsible, pay the bills and live within its means," a criticism of governmental corruption and the trillion dollar "staggering national debt." Kaine once again accuses Bush mismanagement, citing his tax cuts, and paralleling the "huge surpluses" of the Clinton administration with the "massive deficits" of the Bush administration.

Kaine asks rhetorically, "Why should we allow this administration to pass down the bill for its reckless spending to our children and grandchildren?" and repeats his theme, "There's a better way."