"I think the President really clearly gave a good message tonight to all of us about our challenges that lie ahead, keeping the economy moving in the right direction and to do the things we need to do to ensure that we protect our homeland and American citizens from acts of terrorism. These are very real challenges. The economy is moving along in the right direction now, and I think the President should be given the credit for assuming the burden of leadership to help establish a tax policy that stimulates investment and savings and rewards businesses and encourages Americans to work hard to help make sure our country is moving along in the right direction economically. We have achieved a great deal in that area.

I think in national security, the war in Iraq is troublesome and a difficult challenge, but our troops and the military leaders we have are managing that situation, although it continues to be very risky and very dangerous. I think we are going to come out of it with a safer world, with less likelihood of terrorism coming from that region to our shores. And that is the point -- to make sure we safeguard American lives and safeguard our country. The President is providing strong leadership in that regard, and I am going to continue to support him."