President Barack Obama came ready for action in last nights State of The Union Address, where he spoke passionately about the nations economy, education, and future endeavors.
- President Obama last night recast himself as a budget hawk with his State of the Union Address, calling for a spending freeze and a ban on earmarks — even as he proposed new funding for “targeted investments” to make the United States more economically competitive.
Speaking before a Congress that had some Democrats and Republicans sitting together in a rare show of bipartisanship, Obama likened his plan to boost the economy and create new jobs to starting the US space program after the Soviets launched the Sputnik satellite in 1957.
“After investing in better research and education, we didn’t just surpass the Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs,” Obama said. “This is our generation’s Sputnik moment.”
A large part of the President’s speech was centered around bipartisanship and “working together” despite party affiliation.
Many in Congress put bipartisanship on display by sitting with members of the other party.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) grinned as he sat with his Republican “date,” Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
Rep. Pete King (R-LI) was sandwiched between Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens/Brooklyn) and Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-Manhattan).
Obama said the one-night civility would not be enough.
“What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow,” he said.
For the remainder of his term President Obama vowed to push the following agendas:
* Veto any earmarks.
* Impose a five-year domestic spending freeze, reducing the deficit by more than $400 billion.
* Cut energy-industry subsidies.
* Lower the corporate tax rate.
* Invest in clean-energy technology, biomedical research, information technology, high-speed rail and high-speed wireless.
* Encourage working across party lines.
Word on the streets is that this may have been one of the best State of The Union Addresses EVER.
