Contact: Vi Shields, Bob Sturm, 703-396-6974, after 6 PM Eastern, 703-906-6542, 703-368-1812

MANASSAS, Virginia, Jan. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Richard A. Viguerie, issued the following statement regarding President Bush's policy announced in the State of the Union address regarding earmarks in appropriations bills:

"Instead of killing the earmarks in last year's huge omnibus appropriations bill, President Bush will leave in place all of the 11,735 earmarks, totaling $16.9 billion."

"And instead of saying that he would veto any bill containing earmarks, Bush said he would veto legislation that did not reduce the earmarks by 50 percent."

"Whoop-de-doo"

"President Reagan vetoed the Highway Bill in 1987 because it contained 121 earmarks. But President Bush has given the go-ahead to 5,867 earmarks--half the current number. Obviously, the Republican team in the White House and Congress has abandoned all pretense of governing as fiscal conservatives."

"President Bush came into office sounding like a conservative Republican. He is leaving sounding like a liberal Democrat. Bush seems disinterested in the future of the GOP, as it drifts without leadership and is in danger of imploding."

"It is clear nothing is going to change in the GOP until the leadership in the White House, the Congress, and the party changes."