By TANGELA JOHNSON

Staff Writer

George W. Bush was sworn in as President for a second term Jan. 20, when he gave a speech which, among other things, touched on his plan to reform Social Security and Medicare. He also discussed his plans for defending the future of America's freedoms.

"We will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is spared new horrors," Bush said during the nationally publicized speech.

Holly K. Talley, president of the College Republicans and First Vice Chair of the Louisiana Federation of College Republicans, believes things have turned out for the best.

"We're very excited that President Bush was re-elected for a second term," Talley said.

Talley, a freshman political science major, said she believes the plans Bush has for the country are positive, and in spite of the controversy surrounding the war efforts in Iraq, she said she feels the country is making progress.

"I think [the war] is going as well as can be expected," Talley said. "I'm just like anyone else; I'm ready for some of my friends who are [in Iraq] to come home and for all of this to be over."

Talley said she feels the most important issue is to stand behind the leader of one's country.

"We have to support our commander-in-chief," Talley said. "Hopefully Congress will be able to unite and become a true bipartisan instead of being divided, and come together for the good of the country and not just for party gains."

Hunter Harrison, a freshman biology major, said he feels Bush's re-election has equal benefits and drawbacks. Harrison said he thinks the war efforts have put the president on thin ice.

"I think he's under a lot of scrutiny right now," Harrison said. "I don't think the American people will allow him to screw up too much."

Harrison said he feels people should also consider that Bush is not a one-man team.

"It's not necessarily Bush; it's the people he [appoints in offices] that will make a difference," Harrison said.

Harrison said though he did not vote for Bush, he appreciates Bush's tax relief efforts because Harrison is still a dependent on his parents' taxes.

"Bush affected me much more directly because of his [work] with taxes and their effects on the middle class," Harrison said.

Harrison said he feels the war efforts are not necessarily futile, but he said he does not think it will end quickly.

"It's going to take a long time for [the war] to settle out," Harrison said. "There's no easy way to go about it, but this isn't the right way."

Jennifer Cobb, a sophomore secondary chemistry education major, said she believes the country is in excellent care.

"I feel confident that the country is controlled by such a godly man, and I think he is the best man for the job," Cobb said.

She said she thinks the positives gained from his leadership are obvious.

"I think Bush is doing the best he can," Cobb said. "Just look at the progress and the successes that have come out of it. The unemployment rate is down, and more jobs are being created to satisfy the demand."

Cobb said she sees the United States and Iraq going nowhere but up from here.

Cobb said, "[I foresee] more stability in the Middle East, the strengthening of Middle Eastern ties, and a better America."