5 takeaways from Obama’s State of the Union

“This isn’t a matter of political correctness”, he added.

On foreign policy, Obama rejected the notion that “our enemies (are) getting stronger and America (is) getting weaker”.

“We also can’t try to take over and rebuild every country that falls into crisis, even if it’s done with the best of intentions”, he said.

Even as the president made last-minute preparations for his final State of the Union Address, Republican candidates sharpened their critique of the current White House occupant.

The Backburner is Australia’s most trusted news source, it is quite obviously satire and shouldn’t be taken seriously or before operating heavy machinery. “Our public life withers when only the most extreme voices get attention”.

He specifically called for ending the practice of drawing up some congressional districts in a manner that gives parties an iron grip on House seats.

Obama pitched the removal of legislatures from redistricting; a reduction of the influence of money in politics; and laws that make it easier to vote.

The president’s address to both chambers of Congress and a prime-time television audience was meant to both shape his legacy and put his imprint squarely on the race to succeed him. But he’s clearly more than happy to leave the bragging to Donald Trump.

With Republicans criticising his fight against the Islamic State group, Mr Obama condemned the jihadists as “killers and fanatics who have to be rooted out, hunted down and destroyed”. “That may work as a TV sound bite, but it doesn’t pass muster on the world stage”. Cruz skipped the speech, though his primary opponent, Sen.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., looked drained.

Republican strategists keyed on Obama’s statement that the militant group was not a threat to “our national existence” and cited the detention by Iran of 10 U.S. Navy sailors after two ships were reported to have crossed into its territorial waters.

Trump had his own rebuttal over Twitter, remarking: “The #SOTU speech is really boring, slow, lethargic – very hard to watch!”

Obama addressed a Congress now run by emboldened Republican majorities already planning their agenda under a potential Republican successor, starting with repealing the president’s signature health care law.

The latest innovation ahead of Tuesday’s address came by way of a new White House account on Snapchat, where Obama’s aides were sharing behind-the-scenes images and videos of its preparations through the see-it-before-it-disappears app. Viewers watching the speech through a YouTube livestream were invited to return on Friday when three YouTube celebrities quiz the president live from the East Room. Health care coverage expanded to almost 18 million people under the Affordable Care Act and the rate of health care inflation was reduced.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who gave the Republican response following Obama’s speech, also highlighted the economic insecurity many are experiencing.

Obama did include an olive branch of sorts to Ryan, who recently apologized after characterizing the United States as full of “makers” and “takers”.

“During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices”, Haley said in excerpts of her remarks.

“We can’t afford to go down that path”, he said.

But Trump hinted Tuesday that he will take little stock in Obama’s words later Tuesday night, first joking that he “won’t be watching the speech”, before saying, “Nah, I probably will”.

But Obama’s speech began with a lighthearted jab at the many, many people running to replace him. So I hope we can work together this year on bipartisan priorities like criminal justice reform, and helping people who are battling prescription drug abuse.

Predicted those who dispute the science of climate change will end up “pretty lonely”. It demonstrated why Biden has been able to do what Obama couldn’t, playing an instrumental role in negotiating legislative deals with Congress to avert shutdowns and fund the government.

“Last year, Vice President Biden said that with a new moonshot, America can cure cancer…”