President Barack Obama will deliver his second State of the Union speech Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.
The November elections resulted in a new dynamic for Congress with Democrats retaining control of the Senate and Republicans in power in the House. Obama will encourage the members of both parties to work together.
In the wake of the recent tragedy in Tucson, Obama has the perfect opening to entreat Congress to reach across the aisle, to work together, to change the nasty tone of partisan politics and simply get the job done for the American people.
President Obama is said to have qualities in common with Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln’s ability to calm people with just his demeanor and his bent toward diplomatic discussion are traits the current president shares with his predecessor. These qualities will be invaluable as he begins the task of working with the newly divided Congress.
Obama’s first State of the Union speech focused attention on the effects of the recession as he listed the devastation caused by the decline in home values and the loss of jobs and businesses. With nearly double-digit unemployment still a major issue across the country and economic recovery still uncertain, it stands to reason that this year’s speech will again focus on job creation and proposals aimed at stimulating the American economy.
At first glance, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan seem to have little in common. However, despite their different backgrounds, opposing party affiliations and the 30-plus years that separate their administrations, these two leaders faced similar issues. Reagan and Obama inherited the worst economic situations since the Great Depression.
In the State of the Union speech delivered by President Ronald Reagan in 1982, Reagan said he was battling the issues of unemployment and economic uncertainty. These are the same issues Obama struggles with today.
Reagan worked successfully with a divided Congress for 6 years. Obama is just beginning to work under similar circumstances.
Reagan led us out of a time of economic uncertainty. The hope is that Obama will also be a positive agent of change.
Obama will detail the successes of his agenda over the last year and tie that information to his current agenda.
The president will tout his success in repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the policy that kept homosexuals from serving openly in the military. He will link that achievement with the progress made and the progress yet to come in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama will also encourage Americans to support and taking pride in the men and women who serve in our armed forces.
President Obama will take this opportunity to point to the passage of health care reform and promise to fight to keep it from being repealed.
In his remarks on foreign policy, Obama will discuss trade, China’s changing role in the world and the need for good relations with other nations.
Obama and Kennedy took a similar stance on foreign policy. Like John F. Kennedy, Obama will likely speak of the need to restore America’s status, moral leadership and good standing among the nations of the world.
These two presidents also traveled a similar road to the White House. Both were young, handsome, charismatic speakers who rose to national prominence after making a speech at the Democratic convention. Both were elected despite their heritage. When Kennedy announced his candidacy, many believed the country was not yet ready for a Catholic president. Obama overcame his Muslim heritage in a post 9/11 world and the color of his skin. Each attracted a grass roots movement with a message of hope and change.
An assassin’s bullet killed the hope engendered by Kennedy’s election. It would be a tragedy if this recession and a divided Congress kill the hope so many Americans felt on the day Barack Obama took the oath of office.
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