For many Republicans on campus, President Bush’s State of the Union address was a comforting reiteration of policy and vision.

For Northwestern Democrats and local protesters, the speech provoked some ridicule and some anger.

Despite cries from more than 40 protesters in downtown Evanston to “drown out” Bush’s words, the speech rattled and surprised few viewers.

Bush emphasized fighting terrorism, rebuilding Iraq, promoting freedom and building America’s economic competitiveness in the 51-minute speech. He called for the end of American “addiction” to foreign oil and encouraged expansion of nuclear energy and other alternative fuels.

Bush used the occasion to launch his “American Competitiveness Initiative,” which includes improved teaching of math and science, increased investment in government research in the physical sciences and tax incentives for private research and development. Bush said medical liability and Social Security must be reformed immediately.

College Republicans brought 17 students together at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, 1850 Sherman Ave., and many went to Public Affairs Residential College after the speech to discuss it.

“In events like this, it’s nice to get together with like-minded people and listen to the vision of the man we all voted for,” said Guy Benson, a Medill junior and WNUR conservative commentator.

About 50 College Democrats greeted Bush’s speech with laughter as they watched the address in Annenberg Hall.

“He winked!” someone shouted as Bush stepped up to the podium.

And a tally was chalked on the blackboard.

Each time the president said “terror,” “freedom,” “democracy,” “values” or made a “pompous chuckle and raised an eyebrow” the Democrats counted it.

“‘Human-animal hybrids’ is my new catch-phrase,” said Megan Brown, the group’s secretary, referring to a portion of the address in which Bush called on Congress to ban all forms of human cloning and other “egregious abuses of medical research.”

But it wasn’t merely laughs, games and pizzas for the Democrats who booed at the mention of wiretaps, the president’s boast at the creation of 4.6 million jobs and plans to reduce deficits by cutting 140 programs Bush labeled as “failing.”

“He shows an unevolved world view,” said Brown, a Medill sophomore.

Not all Democratic feedback on the speech was negative. When the president mentioned saving Social Security, creating affordable health care programs and the environment, members of the crowd stood and clapped in agreement.

Bush’s goal to increase emphasis on math and science education was agreeable to Andrew London, the group’s treasurer.

But London said he remains disillusioned by the president’s promises.

“The president said things that sound good on the outside but he’s shown not to come through with them,” said London, a SESP sophomore. “Last year he said the same thing about renewable energy, and it didn’t come true.”

Some Republicans said they were pleased with the speech even though Bush mostly stuck to familiar territory.

“This was not his most moving or groundbreaking State of the Union address that we’ve seen during his term – (but) appropriate given the climate we’re seeing in Washington,” Benson said, pointing to pervasive acrimony between Democrats and Republicans.

Others said the address emphasized Bush’s persistent pursuit of his core concerns.

“I really was impressed by Bush’s statements regarding the pursuit of nuclear weapons in Iran and decreasing our dependence on Middle Eastern oil,” said Sam Kleiner, a Weinberg freshman who watched with College Republicans.

“I think it laid out one of his more ambitious agendas,” he said. “At a substantive level it gives an important reiteration of Republican foreign policy.”

London, of College Democrats, said Bush’s style of delivery was markedly different from his speech last year.

“I think the American people have a different view of the president now and he had to change his rhetoric,” London said.

But he said he had reservations about the more dramatic protests held in downtown Evanston.

“The Democrats respect the office of the president,” London said. “Things like screaming out at the president aren’t productive. We promote engaging in dialogue.”

But Brown said she was excited to see people actively engaged. Regardless of affiliation, she said she was pleased with the political involvement students demonstrated by gathering to watch and discuss the address.

“This campus gets a bad reputation for being apathetic,” Brown said. “But in events like these it’s nice to see students come out.”

The Daily’s Kristin Barrett contributed to this report.

Reach Jasett Chatham at [email protected].