Usually, American presidents use their annual State of the Union address as a report card for the government. They focus on the progress of the past, acknowledge the present and offer a plan for the future.

But President Bush's annual speech before both chambers of Congress on Tuesday was something different. His speech seemed more like a call to arms than a progress report. The president used his pulpit to play on America's fears and as an effort to further his case for war with Iraq.

"Before September the 11th, many would have believed that Saddam Hussein could be contained," he said.

"Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons and other plans, this time armed by Saddam Hussein. It would take one vial, one canister, one crate