Editorial: Bush needs to be clear, forthright

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003 | 10:21 a.m.

Tonight President Bush delivers his State of the Union address. He does so at a time when his job-approval ratings have slipped in the past year. Part of that can be attributed to his handling of the economy, which still hasn't improved despite Congress' passage more than a year ago of his $1.3 trillion tax cut. Another reason for the decline in the president's popularity is a growing unease over his inclination to go to war against Iraq. That uneasiness about the prospect of war is starting to spill over into the economy, too, as stocks have taken a tumble over the past two weeks.

Regarding Bush's plan to jump-start the economy, we're disappointed that he wants to eliminate taxes on stock dividends, a plan that principally would benefit wealthy Americans and would do little, if anything, as an immediate economic stimulus. A temporary tax cut that would be spread more evenly among all taxpayers, and one that would take effect immediately, is the kind of boost the economy needs. Bush would be wise to retool his tax-cut plan to win over moderate Republicans and Democrats, but we don't anticipate that happening.

On the issue of Iraq, we agree with the president that Saddam Hussein poses a threat to the Middle East. And it was encouraging that last year the White House agreed to try to build a coalition in its campaign against Iraq, a departure from its usual go-it-alone philosophy on foreign affairs. Optimally, the United States would be able to win over members of the U.N. Security Council if the United States deems a war necessary, but forging a consensus may be impossible. The White House, however, believes its cause was aided Monday after Hans Blix, in charge of the U.N.'s weapons inspection team, said that Iraq hasn't accepted the disarmament that the U.N. has demanded.

Bush also has yet to make a convincing case to an overwhelming majority of the American public that war is required if Iraq fails to abide by international mandates to disarm. We hope the president uses the opportunity, afforded by the State of the Union address, to make the administration's case in a clear, forthright manner. The public also deserves to understand the risks that military action will entail -- so we know all that we are getting ourselves into by trying to oust Saddam.