Delegation applauds speech

PORTLAND – Members of Maine’s congressional delegation applauded President Bush’s nationally televised address Tuesday night.

Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. John Baldacci both said they’re willing to work with Bush’s plan to cut taxes.

But they also said they want to make sure those cuts are part of a fiscally responsible budget.

Baldacci said he wants the tax cut to benefit working families and small businesses.

Collins said she also wanted to focus on paying down the national debt. “We should establish a budget that balances tax reductions with our need to reduce the national public debt – and thereby reduce interest payments,” she said.

Both Collins and Baldacci said they agree with Bush’s emphasis on increasing funding for education and commitment to strengthening Medicare.

Collins said she particularly welcomed Bush’s plan to triple funding for children’s reading.

Rep. Tom Allen agreed that Bush was moving in the right direction on education.

“It certainly felt good to hear about his commitment to increase education spending,” he said.

Sen. Olympia Snowe was selected to be one of the senators who escorted the president in and out of the House chamber.

“It was wonderful,” she said. “We met in a room off the floor, and he didn’t seem nervous at all. He was joking around.”