The revolution, phase two

摘要

State-of-the-union addresses set a tone as well as an agenda. The "axis of evil" address of 2002 did so for George Bush's first term. It was sombre, warlike, international. To judge by the latest address-Mr Bush's first since his re-election-the second term could be very different. For the first time in a long while, the domestic agenda was more interesting than the foreign one. The first term saw the ascendancy of America's willingness to go it alone, the triumph of national interests broadly conceived. In this speech, Mr Bush promised both a more diplomatic America, one that stresses soft power, and a more idealistic one—a country that turns the rhetoric of his inaugural address about "ending tyranny" into policy. What both terms have in common, though, is Mr Bush's self-confidence in his ability to change his country and the world—and his willingness to gamble hugely.