United States President Barack Obama Delivers His Final State Of The Union As The U.S. President To A Packed House Chamber
United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday addressed the Americans in his final State of the Union in the House Chamber which was packed with prominent officials.
According to the New York Times, Obama's speech painted a hopeful portrait of the nation and set forth an ambitious vision for America's future. He also urged Americans to turn down the politics of tribalism and terror that have rocked the recent campaigns.
He also outlined his accomplishments over the past seven years and spoke about his vision for the United States beyond his last term in office.
Obama said that he would launch a new effort to cure life-threatening conditions such as cancer together with Vice President Joe Biden, RTE News noted.
Despite allegations that he admitted to his own failure in order to heal political divisions, Obama accepted responsibility for failing to transform Washington and politics itself, a vow he made while taking office.
"It's one of the few regrets of my presidency, that the rancor and suspicion between the parties have gotten worse instead of better," Obama said. "A president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have better bridged the divide."
On the other hand, Obama's speech, which was a mix of his often lofty rhetoric and punchy, colloquial language, received more scattered applause compared to the earlier years.During this year's speech, Obama spoke informally and injected occasional flashes of humor.
This year's speech lasted an hour and four minutes, longer than most of his past addresses.
In his remarks, Obama urged Americans to harness innovations and not get intimated by it. His call was as a result of allegations that technological advances and economic dislocation have left many Americans fearful of the future and anxious as social structures that have underpinned the life of the nation for decades begin to dwindle.
Meanwhile, the Republicans reportedly agreed with Obama that the seven years of his presidency have been transformational. However, theirs was more of a mockery. According to CNN, Republicans alleged that Obama has achieved anemic growth rates, wielded executive power on immigration as well as gun control.
In other news, Tuesday's address marked the debut of House Speaker Paul Ryan on the platform alongside Biden. Ryan is alleged to be a long-time Obama rival.
CNN reported that Obama did not name Republican candidates for the 2016 elections in his annual report. Nevertheless, he took clear, implied shots at the Republicans and warned them against festering malice as well as gridlock. He also pressed critics who alleged that he was weakening American power abroad and the Republicans who accused him of underplaying the threat from radical Islamist groups.
