President Obama’s final State of the Union speech

Childs will be a special guest of First Lady Michelle Obama.

His overall theme, one of hope and confidence in America’s present and future, was reminiscent at times of the speech that launched Obama on the national political stage, his keynote address as an IL senator at the 2004 Democratic convention.

To be sure, Trump’s words, particularly about immigrants and about refugees fleeing war-torn Syria, have some Republican leaders on edge.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who delivered the Republican Party’s response to Obama’s address, knocked his record on fiscal and foreign policy while delivering a not-so-subtle jab at Republican presidential candidates such as Trump.

Ms Haley called on Americans to resist the temptation “to follow the siren call of the angriest voices”. “No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country”, she will say, according to excerpts of her remarks. Obama said. “Or will we face the future with confidence in who we are, what we stand for, and the incredible things we can do together?”

Meanwhile, a new CBS News/New York Times poll shows as Obama begins his past year in office, Americans are divided about the job he’s doing.

“Instead, he once again, without using the term ‘jayvee team, ‘ he tried to tell us that America’s stature in the world has never been greater”, the congressman continued. “And because we did – because we saw opportunity where others saw only peril – we emerged stronger and better than before”.

Obama won’t be on the ballot in November. Marco Rubio of Florida, was present.

With less than three weeks until the Iowa caucuses – the first votes cast in the process to replace him, Obama berated talking points used by Republican candidates, saying “anyone claiming that America’s economy is in decline is peddling fiction”. Instead, they said he would emphasize that there’s more to do during his a year ago, including finalizing a Pacific Rim trade pact, enacting criminal justice reforms, building on detente with Cuba, and implementing the landmark nuclear deal with Iran. The Pentagon said the sailors had drifted in Iranian waters after encountering mechanical problems. Iran told the United States the crew members would be “promptly” returned, USA officials said.

Mindful of the scant prospect for major legislative action in an election year, Obama avoided the traditional litany of policy proposals in State of the Union addresses.

Republicans say the president’s strategy to defeat Islamic State is flawed and insufficient. Made an overture to new House Speaker Paul Ryan by highlighting his interest in fighting poverty.

With Republicans excoriating 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”.

Obama pledged at the start of his State of the Union address that he was going to try to keep his last address shorter.

It’s President Obama’s final State of the Union address.

Obama recited what he said were his accomplishments improving the quality of life for Americans at home and boosting the United States’s standing around the globe.

In a bid to amplify his message, the White House rolled out an array of social media programming geared not only toward those who won’t watch on TV but also those looking for a “second screen” experience.

The White House posted clips of the band’s warm up on Snapchat.