NORTH COUNTY -- President George Bush's State of the Union speech Tuesday night received mixed reviews among local Democrats and Republicans.

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Some local Democrats said Bush did little to heal divisions among the parties during his address to the nation, while some local Republicans said they had much to praise in the speech.

"People are on to him," said Jeeni Criscenzo, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for the 49th Congressional District seat last year. "It's the same old stupid rhetoric, and we're not stupid."

Criscenzo was among a group of Democrats who gathered at a San Diego restaurant to watch the president's speech.

Bush spoke in front of a Democratic-led Congress -- the first in 12 years. In his 50-minute speech, he addressed of a number of new and not-so-new ideas on health care, energy, education and immigration.

Local Republican congressional representatives said they were generally happy with the president's tempered speech. U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, said he liked the president's idea to give states more money to increase health insurance coverage among the uninsured.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently unveiled a plan to provide insurance to all Californians. Issa said the two proposals fit well together.

Bush also proposed a tax deduction for health insurance. In his plan, contributions from employers toward health insurance wold begin to be treated as taxable income. A standard deduction for taxpayers with health insurance would be set at $15,000 for families and $7,000 for individuals.

U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, praised the president for his ideas on health care reform, but also said he was concerned about the plan resulting in higher taxes for some.

Administration officials said that 80 percent of workers with health insurance through their jobs would see a tax cut as a result of the change. But about 20 percent would see a tax increase -- those workers whose health insurance cost more than the standard deduction.

"I have concerns about taxing any health care at all," Bilbray said.

The president also spoke of renewing the debate over comprehensive immigration reform, reducing gasoline consumption in the U.S. by 20 percent over the next 10 years, balancing the federal budget, renewing the No Child Left Behind law, and defended his decision to increase the number of troops in Iraq.

Jess Durfee, chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party said most Democrats gathered in San Diego to watch the speech heard few new ideas.

"He was booed many times and laughed at many times," Durfee said. "These are all promises he's made in the past."

Durfee and other Democrats said they were especially troubled by the president's tough talk on Iran.

In his speech, Bush spoke of grave consequences for the Middle East if American troops leave too soon.

"If American forces step back before Baghdad is secure, the Iraqi government would be overrun by extremists on all sides." In such a case, he forecast "an epic battle," Shiite extremists backed by Iran against Sunni extremists aided by al-Qaida and supporters of Saddam Hussein's government, leading to violence that could spread across the Middle East.

"For America, this is a nightmare scenario," Bush said.

Criscenzo said she and other activists would travel to Washington, D.C., this week to take part in a peace march scheduled for Saturday. Members of local anti-war groups, including the San Diego Coalition of Peace and Justice and the North County Coalition for Peace and Justice, are expected to participate.

"The message will be bring the troops home. Stop funding the war," Criscenzo said.

Bilbray said there are few viable alternatives to the president's plan. In an attempt to quell the violence, Bush announced a plan two weeks ago to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq.

"I believe it's the best option being given," Bilbray said.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.