State of the Union preview excerpts:

"America this evening is a nation called to great responsibilities and we are rising to meet them. ... We have not come all this way - through tragedy and trial and war - only to falter and leave our work unfinished."

"Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since Sept. 11, 2001 - over two years without an attack on American soil - and it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting and false."

"America is still a nation at war and must not 'falter and leave our work unfinished."

"Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better,"

"The work of building a new Iraq is hard and it is right, and America has always been willing to do what it takes for what is right."

"The values we try to live by never change,"

"All of us - parents, schools, government - must work together to counter the negative influence of the culture and to send the right messages to our children"