President Barack Obama delivered his second State of the Union address in a totally different environment than one year ago when he delivered his first. One year ago the nation was in the throes of a contentious debate over national health care reform.
Now the landscape is very different. One year ago Nancy Pelosi was Speaker of the House and now Republican John Boehner holds the Speaker’s gavel as the Republicans won control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections of 2010. Another long-standing tradition of the two political parties sitting separately as the President speaks was broken as they sat among each other in respect for an appeal for more civility and cooperation in the wake of the shooting in Tucson, Arizona that wounded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. An article titled “Bipartisan Seating at State of the Union Pairs Odd Couples, Friendly Foes” by Maureen Hoch and published on the PBS website addresses the mixed seating issue.
President Obama’s Message - Sputnik Moment
The President addressed the changing nature of our country and world and noted that technology has placed competition on a global platform and changed the nature of industry. The Boston Herald posted the “ Text: President Obama’s State of Union address ” on its website on January 25, 2011.
The President’s message was one of challenge to the country to break new ground. He called this our Sputnik moment, referring to the satellite launched by the Soviet Union that allowed them to beat the United States into space and that started the Space Age. The President stated that this is our time to respond to the challenge of the world in research and development, education and new forms of energy.
Focus On Education
The President emphasized and renewed focus on education as the way for the United States to rebound in the future. One point that he made in particular was to celebrate achievements in math and science as much as we do sports such as the Super Bowl.
In attendance was Daniel Hernández, the intern that was credited with saving Congresswoman Giffords life right after she was shot. Also in the audience was the family of 9-year old Christina Taylor Green who was kill by the crazed gunman in Arizona.
Immigration On The Table - Rollback Health Care Off
The President put immigration reform on the table by talking about how some great students that came here as children live under the threat of deportation, President Obama said he was willing to work with Congress to solve the immigration issues.
The President offered to improve the health care reform law but not repeal it.
The issues left to address are large. The US economy is still struggling and there are serious challenges in education issues. President Obama sent a signal that he is up for the battle and ready to tackle the problems in front of the United States.
