Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Obama's State of the Union agenda: Yes, I get it
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Obama's State of the Union agenda: Yes, I get it
By BEN FELLER,Associated Press Writer -
Sunday, January 24
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON – Seizing a chance to reconnect, President Barack Obama will use his first State of the Union address to try to persuade the people of a frustrated nation that he's on their side, with a familiar sounding agenda recast to relate better to everyday struggles.
In a time of deep economic insecurity, Obama will use this stage on Wednesday to offer hope after a grueling, grinding first year of his presidency, aides say. For the many who think the United States is still on the wrong track, Obama will attempt to present a clearer sense of how everything he's pursuing fits together to help.
And for jittery Democrats facing re-election this fall, Obama will seek to give them an agenda they can sell to voters.
Obama will propose ways to help the middle class. But any new ideas probably will play a supporting role to the plainspoken narrative he wants to tell, that his agenda works for people despite their growing doubts.
"Obviously you want to write a speech in a way that is interesting enough that people want to listen, and that leaves them feeling a sense of momentum and progress," senior Obama adviser David Axelrod told The Associated Press. "But these are serious times. I don't think this is a time for rhetorical flights of fancy."
What to expect in the speech, which comes during a rocky period for Obama?
Heavy does of health care, despite the setbacks of the past week, and job creation. Obama will address the budget deficit, his bid to take on the financial industry, energy, education and immigration. All those issue, he says, fit into his plan to rebuild the economy.
On national security, he will address terrorist threats, the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan and nuclear disputes with Iran and North Korea.
Recent big events won't escape notice, such as Haiti's humanitarian crisis and the Supreme Court ruling allowing businesses and labor unions more power to influence elections. Obama will directly confront a seething frustration with Washington, evident in Republican Scott Brown's stunning Senate victory in Massachusetts that rattled Democrats and cost Obama the voting bloc he needed in the Senate.
It all points to the message Obama wants to convey: Yes, I get it.
Obama is emerging from a year in Washington that, he now says, has left the public with a sense of "remoteness and detachment" from what he's been trying to do.
The president says his agenda is not about him. But in important ways, this speech will be.
Moments like this are opportunities for presidents to take or lose command. Obama's poll numbers on how he handles major issues have been dropping; less than half the people support his management of the economy, taxes and other issues. Unemployment is in double digits and terrorism fears are rising.
To regain his footing, Obama is putting himself on the side of the people. He's challenging special interests on health care and banking. He's reminding people that while he got an economic stimulus plan through, he bailed out Wall Street and the auto industry only by necessity.
Expect plenty of looking back, too. Obama wants people who may tune in only occasionally to what happens in Washington to know, as he sees it, that he got some things done this year, particularly on the economy.
Aides say the speech also will feature promises that Obama wants to return to _ changing Washington and restoring trust in it. That case looks much more difficult than when Obama was sworn in, as partisanship is as entrenched as ever, and backroom side deals remain a messy part of legislation.
What the speech won't do is reshape Obama's agenda. He ran on it and will defend it anew.
"I didn't run to kick these challenges down the road," Obama told an audience in Ohio on Friday, seeming to find a campaign voice that had not appeared in so many of his remarks this year. "I ran for president to confront them _ once and for all."
Those familiar with the address say it reflects Obama's tendency toward consistency and his opposition to a laundry list of programs. "It's not going to be a series of disjointed offerings, poll-tested offerings," Axelrod said. "It's going to be a narrative about where he wants to lead, and why, and for whom."
Obama gave his speechwriters an outline of what he wanted, and has exchanged drafts. He was spending more time on it over the weekend, and will keep doing so until he steps before a struggling nation on Wednesday night.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Sudan ex-rebels say to boycott vote in oil state Reuters - 1 hour 47 minutes ago
Dems mull options for moving health care bill AP - 2 hours 24 minutes ago
UN: Haiti government calls off search and rescue AP - 2 hours 50 minutes ago
Biden: US to appeal dismissal of Blackwater case AP - Sunday, January 24
Philly TSA worker gone after prank on passenger AP - Sunday, January 24
News Search
Top Stories
Glacier alarm 'regrettable error': UN climate head
Bernanke fate in doubt as US Senate opposition swells
Bank 'sheriff' Obama hits hard in Europe: analysts
GE profit tops forecasts despite finance weakness
Last decade warmest ever: NASA
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Bank 'sheriff' Obama hits hard in Europe: analysts
Bernanke fate in doubt as US Senate opposition swells
Glacier alarm 'regrettable error': UN climate head
Last decade warmest ever: NASA
Haiti quake is a new warning of Latin America's faultline
More Most Viewed »
Huge tomb found at Egypt's Saqqara pyramid
Woman who saved Anne Frank's diary dead at 100
Scientists praise Obama as Doomsday clock reset
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 24 January 2010 US Marines' Iraq command ends; Biden in Baghdad
Pope urges priests to make 'astute' use of Internet
U.S. to appeal dismissal of Blackwater charges
Glacier alarm 'regrettable error': UN climate head
Saudi claims Yemeni rebels linked to al Qaeda
Militants in Afghan killings, kidnapping
Saudi claims Yemeni rebels linked to al Qaeda
|
Israel's Netanyahu seeks to calm nerves on Lebanon
|
Putin seeks more jobs to stabilize North Caucasus
|
Sudan ex-rebels say to boycott vote in oil state
|
Save the tiger: Pressure mounts for tougher action
Plouffe to play expanded advisory role for Obama
Aussies hopping mad at govt stance on toad-busting
Calif. skies clear; snow piles up in N. Ariz, NM
Car bomb attack kills four in Pakistan
29 killed in clashes, suicide attack in Pakistan
Obama's State of the Union agenda: Yes, I get it
Chief backs 911 caller in Ohio roadside rape case
Biden says US to appeal Blackwater court decision
NATO forces in race to secure Kandahar
Crumbling cliffs don't deter Pacifica residents
Tax the rich? Ore. voters scratching their ballots
Dog surge along with troop surge in Afghan war
After a lousy week, Democrats hope to recover
Sri Lanka opposition warns of poll violence
Sri Lankan ruling party plans violence: opposition
Obamas head out to watch daughter play basketball
Japan political 'kingpin' denies fund allegations
Car bomb attack kills four in NW Pakistan
"Guys and Dolls" actress Jean Simmons dies at 80
India carmaker Maruti profit triples
NYPD Faces $2 Million Suit for Jailing Men Over Candy
`Basterds,' `Precious,' `30 Rock' lead SAG Awards
Google Co-founders To Sell $2.75 Billion In Stock
Farmer Shoots 51 Cows Dead Then Self
Filmmakers eye Web, TV as alternate to theaters
Design for a good cause at Berlin fashion week
Filmmakers eye Web, TV as alternate to theaters
|
Deadlines Forcing Government Agencies To Open Information Vaults
Dior Homme does Amish chic
Boy, 9, Commits Suicide Inside Texas School Bathroom
Marxist Group Accuses U.S. Of Military Occupation In Haiti
Jacques Tati back in Paris for Kenzo's 50s fashion
Obama Reassures Americans, Vows To Fight For His Goals
Guthrie show benefits western Mass. fire victims
Stars unite to help Haiti in telethon
The art of forgery goes on show in London
46 injured after plane crash lands in Iran
France probes migrants' mass-landing in Corsica
Aid workers try to ramp up Haiti relief efforts
|
Google courts smartphone game makers
Britain sceptical about US banking reform
Afghanistan to postpone parliament poll
|
US peace envoy meeting with Israeli prime minister
Top US senators say Fed chief will win second term
Caucasus extremists 'vanquished': Putin
Winning the Afghan war, Dutch style
Illegal gold miners freeze to death in China
|
Venezuela tells cable to cut anti-Chavez station
|
Expert lawyers to declare Iraq war illegal: reports
North Korea accuses South of declaring war
|
Turkey detains 2 journalists, others in PKK raids
Japan PM's party clouded by scandal despite denial
|
Israel's Netanyahu seeks to calm nerves on Lebanon
Gunmen fire on Papua mine employees, nine wounded
|
Sudan ex-rebels say to boycott vote in oil state
Anthrax in heroin kills eight in Europe
|
Turkey detains 2 journalists, others in PKK raids
|
Montreal to host talks on rebuilding Haiti
Killer's son finds solace in unlikely ally
Cambodia reports clash with Thai troops
Obama facing huge economic challenges ahead
Shooting near Freeport mine in Indonesia wounds 7
2 killed when plane crashes in suburban Chicago
Illegal gold miners freeze to death in China
Six wounded in ambush near US mine in Indonesia
Obama endorses deficit task force
Flight diverted to Denver due to unruly passenger
Japan PM's party clouded by scandal despite denial
Senators assure Obama Bernanke to win 2nd term
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Malaysia police hold six over Indonesia maid death
US base row focus of Japan city vote
Film focuses on Mormon role in gay marriage ban
North Korea accuses South of declaring war
N.Koreans barter amid currency change chaos
Bank of China to sell up to $5.8B in bonds
US asked to drag China to WTO over Google dispute
Spotlight turns to Apple's 'latest creation'
Argentine foreign minister to lead China trip
Sandra Bullock hushes Oscar talk
Betty White accepts lifetime achievement award
"Basterds," Bullock, Bridges big SAG winners
'Jersey Shore' cast party overwhelms NJ nightclub
Basterds, Bullock, Bridges big SAG winners
|
'Inglourious Basterds' wins top honor at SAG Awards
German taste for budget food worries producers
Sandra Bullock hushes Oscar talk
|
A view from the winners' table at the SAG Awards
Hope for Haiti Now telethon raises $57 million
|
Complete list of winners at 16th annual SAG Awards
Bill Gates goes to Sundance, offers an education
|
Filmmakers eye Web, TV as alternate to theaters
|
Iraq's PM orders probe on bomb detectors
US-TECH Summary
Bin Laden claims responsibility for U.S. plane attack
|
Barclays Capital head 'slates Obama bank plan'
China paper slams U.S. for cyber role in Iran unrest
Five US soldiers killed in Afghan unrest
Afghanistan delays parliament poll
|
Japan PM plagued by funding scandal, U.S. base row
|
Iran plane catches fire after crash-landing
Plane catches fire in Iran, injures 42
|
U.S. envoy offered "interesting ideas"
U.S. envoy offered interesting ideas: Netanyahu:
|
Two US soldiers killed in Afghan unrest
Ahmadinejad says new budget less dependent on oil
|
Taliban kill seven US 'spies' in Pakistan: police
Afghanistan postpones parliamentary election
Israel to rebut Gaza war report
|
Ahmadinejad hints Iran plans to enrich more uranium
Report: Iran unrest 'full-blown rights crisis'
Militants kill 6 Pakistanis for alleged US spying
Beijing encourages cycling in bid to cut traffic
China paper slams U.S. for cyber role in Iran unrest
China paper slams U.S. for cyber role in Iran unrest
|
Chinese police prepare for attacks ahead of expo
Afghan commission postpones parliamentary vote
Anti-India protest erupts in Kashmir
AP Exclusive: Feds detail Christmas Day attack
Bombs kill 3 US service members in Afghanistan
China-Taiwan trade talks to start this week
Bin Laden tape warns of further US attacks
4 million Muslims gather for prayer in Bangladesh
Taliban kill seven in Pakistan for being "U.S. spies"
16-year-old girl starts solo sail around globe
Three US soldiers killed in Afghan violence: NATO
The nation's weather
US envoy shares 'new ideas' with Israel PM
India fast tracks highway expansion plans
China to step up efforts on overheating: analysts
Obama bank plan unlikely to concern Asia: analysts
China, Taiwan trade talks to begin Tuesday: report
Telethon raises more than $58 mln for Haiti
Germany rock band Scorpions to end career
Indians keep faith with Ganges despite pollution
Bloody frontlines of Afghanistan arrive in Sundance
High-end hotel boom sweeps Beirut
Manhunts, alienation in latest Rwanda genocide film
Children of Auschwitz recall liberation 65 years on
Son of Escobar wrestling with sins of father
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights