Freshman senator and rising Democratic star Jim Webb [3] (D-Va.) delivered the main Democratic response to Bush's speech [4] (response text [5]). He spoke of the rising income inequality in America and the growing pressure globalization is putting on the middle and professional classes. He stopped short, however, of offering any detailed plans beyond noting that the House had passed the first minimum wage increase in 10 years [6]. On the foreign policy front, Webb delivered a strong rebuke to Bush's troop "surge" plan:

We need a new direction. Not one step back from the war against international terrorism. Not a precipitous withdrawal that ignores the possibility of further chaos. But an immediate shift toward strong regionally-based diplomacy, a policy that takes our soldiers off the streets of Iraq’s cities, and a formula that will in short order allow our combat forces to leave Iraq.

Rep. Xavier Becerra [7] (D-Calif.) delivered the Democratic Spanish-language response (English translation [8]). He focused on the recent House achievements from their first 100 hours agenda [9] and also delivered a strong statement against Bush's troop "surge," saying that Democrats "will not stand by as [American soldiers] sit in the crossfire of a civil war... It is time to discuss bringing our troops out of Iraq, not send more in." Beccara, presumably speaking for all congressional Democrats, also outlined what may be the Democratic plan for immigration this session:

Our bipartisan principles for comprehensive immigration reform are clear: protect our borders responsibly, fix the backlogged visa process, and establish a path for legal residency for immigrants who have earned it through years of hard work.

Finally, center-left blogger Josh Marshall of TalkingPointsMemo.com [10] organized an innovative group on YouTube [11] where people could post their own responses to Bush's speech, including one from a ridiculously cute four year old: