No détente as State of Union highlights health reform divisions

President Obama delivered what will be the final State of the Union address of his presidency Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress. There was much build-up to the speech, both in the national media, but also from the White House itself, which advertised the address as diverging from how previous speeches to the nation have gone.

Describing America as the strongest and most durable economy, President Barack Obama Wednesday rejected as “political hot air” the assessment by many that the world’s largest economy is on decline.

A new national effort will get it done, he said.

With the Republican and Democratic candidates vying to succeed him preparing for the February 1 party caucuses in Iowa, the nation’s first nominating contest, Obama is highlighting the US economic recovery in two states that he lost twice in presidential elections while also laying out his vision for the nation after his presidency is over.

The president said one of the few regrets is failing to overcome the bitter partisan divide in Washington but his critics are just plain wrong, America under his leadership is booming. Reporter: Governor Nikki Haley of SC, a daughter of Indian immigrants and a conservative star responded to president Obama on behalf of republicans.

By now, everyone, including Donald Trump, has vivisected, torn apart, loved or hated on President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address.

“We have to change the system to reflect our better selves”, he said, citing nonpartisan redistricting, voting rights and campaign finance reform.

Although not naming the billionaire by name Mr Obama said: “This isn’t a matter of political correctness”.

When politicians insult Muslims, whether overseas or our fellow citizens, when a mosque is vandalized, or a kid is called names, that doesn’t make us safer.

“It was a bit of a lecture”, Roe, who also disclosed he will run for a fifth term in Congress, said of Obama’s speech.

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

“If there’s an opportunity for the president to visit with Mr. Buffett today, I’m sure the president will take advantage of it”, he said. 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. “If I’m elected POTUS”, Cruz wrote on Twitter, using the acronym for president of the United States, “there’ll be an empty seat for the over 50 million unborn children killed since Roe #Stand4Life”. 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.

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.

While vowing to work to find a cure for cancer, accelerate the shift away from “dirty energy” and end the last remnants of the Cold War by engaging with Cuba, Mr Obama said “America has been through big changes before”.