8 key quotes from Obama’s State of the Union

“I just wish the President had leveled with the people-or at least with himself”, Mr Ryan said.

Overall, it was an unorthodox speech that eschewed the typical laundry list of legislative priorities as Obama tried to lift the country’s gaze beyond the next year, and beyond his presidency. He also said he did not make a special point to attend the speech given rivals’ criticisms of his Senate attendance record: “I thought it was important to be here”.

“Our founders distributed power between states and branches of government, and expected us to argue, just as they did, over the size and shape of government, over commerce and foreign relations, over the meaning of liberty and imperatives of security”, he said. “It is the result of choices we make together”.

“We were very grateful that in the opening paragraphs he mentioned prescription drug abuse and heroin addiction”, Foster said. He countered the negativity of Donald Trump, who promises to keep out Muslims and “Make America Great Again”, and Texas Sen.

“In the days leading up to this address, the Obama Administration admitted this State of the Union was focused more on Hillary Clinton’s campaign than any concrete ways to improve our country”.

“Particularly during times of stress, the American people need to hear from their president in terms of what it is exactly that we’re trying to do”.

The address is one of Obama’s few remaining chances to capture the attention of millions of Americans before November’s election of a new president who will take office next January. Sharply, and at times sarcastically, he struck back at rivals who have challenged his economic and national security stewardship, calling it all “political hot air”. “If you doubt America’s commitment – or mine – to see that justice is done, ask Osama bin Laden”, Obama said courageously. Let me tell you something: the United States of America is the most powerful nation on Earth. “Period. It’s not even close”, he said.

“I’m going to push to change the way we manage our oil and coal resources, so that they better reflect the costs they impose on taxpayers and our planet”, the U.S. president said in his address.

“Masses of fighters on the back of pick-up trucks and twisted souls plotting in apartments or garages pose an enormous danger and must be stopped”, he said.

Speaking directly to lawmakers, he said many had told him they would like to cooperate more, but are beholden to political donors or their partisan base.

The president spoke just hours after U.S. officials revealed that two small U.S. Navy boats with 10 sailors on board were being held by Iran. The White House expects the situation to be resolved quickly.

Toward the end of Obama’s speech, the Republican presidential front-runner fired off a tweet criticizing the speech for being “boring”.

Perry, who represents Adams County and portions of York, Dauphin and Cumberland counties, says while unemployment is down, numerous jobs are in retail – low-paying and tough work.