WASHINGTON — In the first State of the Union address of his second term, President Obama tried to breathe new life into his economic agenda, offering measures to spur growth and urging Congress to revive stalled talks over deficit reduction.
Entering his fifth year presiding over a flagging economy, the president declared the restoration of a strong middle class “our unfinished task” and called on a deeply divided Congress to find “reasonable compromise” to solve the nation’s lingering fiscal ills.
Obama renewed a series of proposals to boost U.S. manufacturing, aid struggling homeowners and invest in infrastructure. He proposed raising the minimum wage, issued a call for tax reform and vowed to seek a deficit reduction deal that balances tax increases with changes to entitlement programs.
“It is our generation’s task, then, to reignite the true engine of America’s economic growth — a rising, thriving middle class,” Obama told lawmakers gathered in the House chamber.
The hourlong speech largely abandoned the high, hopeful tone and delivery of the president’s inaugural address last month, taking instead a wonkier and aggressive turn toward the next fight facing Washington — a standoff over the budget.
Obama and Republicans in Congress are hurtling toward another clash over deep spending cuts scheduled to take effect on March 1. The cuts, which economists think could stall economic growth, were passed as a way to force lawmakers to compromise on a less arbitrary approach to reducing the nation’s $16-trillion debt. Obama suggested he would go further than he has in the past toward making changes to Medicare to curb spending, although he was not specific.
“I am open to additional reforms from both parties, so long as they don’t violate the guarantee of a secure retirement,” Obama said. “Our government shouldn’t make promises we cannot keep — but we must keep the promises we’ve already made.”
He touted progress on many fronts since he took office near the height of the recession and amid two wars. “We have cleared away the rubble of crisis,” Obama said, pointing to job growth and improvements in the housing market.
He also announced plans to cut the number of troops in Afghanistan in half over the next year, a significant acceleration of his original timetable. “This drawdown will continue. And by the end of next year, our war in Afghanistan will be over,” Obama said.
In the Republican response, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida complained of what he called Obama’s “obsession” with raising taxes and urged him to work with Republicans to encourage economic expansion.
“Mr. President, I don’t oppose your plans because I want to protect the rich,” Rubio said. “I oppose your plans because I want to protect my neighbors, hard-working, middle-class Americans who don’t need us to come up with a plan to grow the government. They want a plan to grow the middle class.”
Obama’s annual addresses to Congress chronicle the way he has scaled back his legislative ambitions. In 2009, the newly elected president outlined a raft of government responses to the economic “reckoning” facing the country. By 2012, after a year of lurching from one fight to another with a GOP-led House of Representatives and with a reelection on the horizon, he offered only piecemeal executive orders and tougher talk, vowing to “fight obstruction with action.”
His speech Tuesday continued in that realpolitik mode. Obama pledged to take executive action on climate change if Congress did not act “soon,” and he announced plans to create a commission to review irregularities at polling places, an issue Congress was unlikely to address.
With an eye on his legacy, Obama appeared careful not to trip up negotiations on matters that appear to be moving through Congress. Last month, he laid out his markers on two of his top priorities — gun control measures and immigration reform — and lawmakers are working on legislation behind the scenes. On Tuesday, he avoided heated rhetoric, making emotional, but brief, references to both.
Still, as he stepped into the House chamber, Obama was surrounded by reminders of the human element — and the political difficulties — behind his legislative agenda.
Democratic lawmakers brought victims of gun violence, including some of those affected by the December mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the impetus for the president’s gun control push. Citing his call for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as expanded background checks, Obama said Congress owed the victims and their families action on the measures.
“They deserve a vote,” Obama said, as Democrats in the chamber chanted, “Vote!”
Republicans, too, issued invitations that underscored their positions. Natalie Hammond, a Sandy Hook teacher who was injured in the shooting, found herself in the same audience as Ted Nugent, the aging rocker and gun enthusiast who declared he’d be “dead or in jail” if Obama won a second term.
In line with recent tradition, First Lady Michelle Obama was accompanied by guests meant to underscore her husband’s message. She sat with a Louisville, Ky., man retrained as a machinist, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and a Wisconsin brewing entrepreneur. She was also joined by the parents of Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teenager who was shot and killed just days after she traveled to Washington to perform in the president’s inauguration parade and has become a symbol of the need for tougher gun laws.
Although the speech was largely focused on domestic issues, Obama defended the secretive CIA drone program, which targets suspected militants overseas, including Americans, in foreign countries. He aimed to answer critics, largely from within his own party, who have complained about its secrecy and questioned its legality.
“I recognize that in our democracy, no one should just take my word that we’re doing things the right way,” Obama said. “So, in the months ahead, I will continue to engage Congress to ensure not only that our targeting, detention and prosecution of terrorists remains consistent with our laws and system of checks and balances, but that our efforts are even more transparent to the American people and to the world.”
But for the most part, Obama went to the House chamber — the burial ground for most of his economic agenda — to try to revive those plans. Arguing that his plans would not increase the deficit “by a single dime,” Obama said, “It’s not a bigger government we need, but a smarter government that sets priorities and invests in broad-based growth.”
The president called for $50 billion for infrastructure spending — an expenditure he tried and failed to win as part of his 2011 American Jobs Act. He also recycled his proposals aimed at American manufacturing, seeking $1 billion for the creation of new “innovation institutes” that would develop new technology for U.S. manufacturers. Obama said he would take executive action and use existing funding to create three.
He repeated his call for corporate tax reform, an area in which he shares some common ground with Republicans, to make U.S. business more competitive overseas.
He also asked Congress to devote more money to preschool programs for low- and moderate-income children.
As the housing market continues to limp back from crisis, Obama renewed his past proposal to boost the recovery by helping more homeowners refinance their mortgages at current low rates. He suggested waiving transaction costs for homeowners with government-backed loans, a housing subsidy that congressional Republicans have viewed skeptically in the past.
He renewed his call for government investment in summer and year-round jobs for low-income youths and to put long-term unemployed and low-income adults back to work.
Obama proposed raising the minimum wage to $9 an hour, in stages, by the end of 2015. The proposal was another example of his curbed ambitions. During the 2008 campaign, he pledged to raise the minimum to $9.50 per hour by 2011, but he has spoken little of the proposal since then.
-Los Angeles Times
56 Comments to “Obama Seeks to Reignite Economic Agenda in Speech”
February 12, 2013 at 8:21 AM
blah blah blah Obama… all talk no results.
February 12, 2013 at 3:36 PM
What do you mean, no results?
He's been very successful at driving employment down and, if we use the same standards as would be used for a white Republican, gas prices up.
Since "skyrocketing" energy prices were part of his plan all along (as he admitted in 2008), how can you say "no results"?
February 13, 2013 at 10:00 AM
This is hysterical. Thanks for the lolz
February 12, 2013 at 8:41 AM
Turn off the sound and watch actions and facial expressions…if you turn sound on, all you hear is…
"blah blah blah….blah blah blah blah…blah blah blah…I did this and I did that…I accomplished blah blah blah…I me me me (no mention of the true heroes our military personnel that actually do the work) blah blah me me me me I I I…"
February 12, 2013 at 8:41 AM
That ain't nothin'!
My best friend's sister's boyfriend's uncle's cousin's sister's grandmother's brother's nephew's uncle's sister's cousin's brother's second cousin twice removed' cat makes twice that much!
February 12, 2013 at 9:46 AM
We're broke head over heels in debt. Our resources depleted, gas prices soaring, infrastructure and cities crumbling. Cities in New Jersey and NY hit by Sandy setting in rubble with people freezing.Taxpayers squeezed to the limi,t jobs few and far between and he's looking for more ways to tax and squeeze. Then opening the door to more than 11 million + people who broke the law entering this country illegally who we have to support and educate. So where are we suppose to get money and jobs and schools for them when we already dont have money, jobs and schools for us?
February 12, 2013 at 8:42 PM
most of them are here 15+ yrs, so they already have jobs and their kids go to school, they just don't pay taxes, because they don't have SSN…
February 12, 2013 at 11:32 PM
Actually, many of them pay taxes, state, federal, and SS taxes. A benefit they will never be able to collect, yet they pay the taxes. I would say half of them pay those taxes, the other half don’t pay Federal tax nor SS tax because they have to find places where they get paid cash due to the lack of SS number.
Yet, they pay State taxes for housing, car taxes, sales taxes, etc. Weighing the fact they are not allowed to get any Government Aid, I think these people is not doing bad to our economy. I know for a fact they can’t get unemployment benefits, SS benefits, housing project, food stamps, etc..The only government benefit they get is school from K-12. They are banned from colleges as far as I know.
February 13, 2013 at 5:13 AM
Have you tried to get emergency treatment in a hospital lately? Don't tell me they're not a drain on the system, that is just pure bs. Here in california our prisons are loaded with ILLEGALS who we support. They contribute to the crime rate in massive numbers.
February 13, 2013 at 6:47 AM
The way you have intensedebate set up is suspicious to me. You obviously signed up but you have no rep score or description. And if I click on you it takes me to some website I don't want to visit. Why are you set up that way, are you spam?
February 13, 2013 at 6:53 AM
If you look at LsvBill, 2 comments down you will see the difference. He has a rep score and a description window, you don't. If you don't see a description window when you scroll to a person's avatar I wouldn't click it with all the spam crap on now.
February 13, 2013 at 4:43 PM
"They are banned from colleges as far as I know."
Nope, they even get in-state tuition rates.
February 12, 2013 at 10:04 AM
I agree that machine guns, AK 47's and any weapons like them need to be out of everyones hands but the military and law enforcement. But there are people who still hunt for their food. Guns dont kill people, people kill people. The problem is our government is so messed up and corrupt. Our border patrol killed by weapons "we" supplied. Gangs killing young people east coast to west. Yesterday Michelle Obama attending the funeral of a 15 year old girl shot in Chicago in gang violence. So how is gun control for the average US citizen suppose to stop or prevent this? We need to stop supplying guns across our borders and immigration control more than any other single thing.
February 13, 2013 at 12:15 AM
Machine guns are fully automatic and are already outlawed unless you pay confiscatory rates for the appropriate tax stamp.
On the other hand, if AR-15s are the self-defense weapon of choice for the Department of Homeland Security (not in itself the "military") why is it considered wrong for civilians to have the same choice?
February 13, 2013 at 5:15 AM
Don't forget, Chicago has the strictest gun control ławs already in place. It's a clear. representation of how gun control is a failure.
February 13, 2013 at 7:00 AM
Ya see, I'm just curious. thanx
February 13, 2013 at 9:55 AM
The 2nd ammendment is designed to allow the American people to defend themselves against a tyrannical government that would attempt circumvent the Constitution.
Think about that. Then consider why democrats, particularly this administration is focused on gun control. Consider further why people are flocking to buy guns in record numbers…
February 12, 2013 at 10:17 AM
Yes we need to raise taxes so we can support the millions of people who broke the law entering our country illegally. Great plan to get the US back on their feet.
February 12, 2013 at 11:23 AM
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February 12, 2013 at 12:39 PM
We supplied the guns that killed our border patrol officer and the US is over whelmed with armed gangs from west coast to east. So how does taking guns out of the average citizens hands fix this?
February 12, 2013 at 1:13 PM
I have so much to say but seems like no one in the world cares. Yes, I agree that all I hear are a bunch of "blah blah blah". People don't understand why I'm unemployed most of the time since 2008. They need to wake up, smell the coffee, and take action. I don't believe in the unemployment rate figures nor the promise of a tax break or more jobs in America. I am left with little to no choice…
February 12, 2013 at 2:39 PM
Carol I for one care. Your story is the story of hundreds of thousands of jobless Americans. I agree with you 100% about unemployment and empty words and promises for more jobs. Just look at New York from 911 still not rebuilt and the people from New Jersey and New York both suffering from Sandy and we also have the people from areas hit by Katrina still not rebuilt. Obama is running this country into the ground with his plans to add 11 million people who didnt follow the law to enter this country legally. All this is doing is increasing the crime rate nation wide from people whose numbers cant even be accurately determined not to mention arent contributing taxes or support to the country they're living in. If Obama wants to play Robin Hood maybe he should start by selling his homes and property and empty his bank accounts and redistribute the wealth and money.
February 13, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Yes, I agree on the opposing the legalization of illegal immigrants. But when we talk about illegals, why do Hispanics get so sensitive? We're talking about all illegal immigrants, including the Hispanics, Asians, etc. They work illegally, get paid in cash, send those US bills back to their countries, pays no tax, drives around uninsured, and they usually do a hit-and-run since they're not licensed or insured. I don't want to call us US citizens victims of illegals but there are so many incidents where we end up paying out of our pockets when our pockets are empty! fml…
February 12, 2013 at 2:44 PM
If Obama wants to play Robin Hood maybe he should start by selling his homes and property and empty his bank accounts and redistribute his wealth and money.
February 12, 2013 at 6:29 PM
Yes Mr. Obama cut Medicare to elderly Americans who have worked 30 or 40 years to fund medical benefits for eleven million illegals you now have set up living for free in the US.
February 12, 2013 at 11:21 PM
Illegal Immigrants have been paying SS taxes without receiving any benefit out of it. So is that the American fairness? I am talking about people who has been paying SS and Medicare taxes for over 10 or 20 years. All these people is paying money they should not pay to SS and that money has been there to support elderly Americans who worked 40 years. So shut up!! Slavery has been outlawed long time ago.
These people live like slaves. Is time to stop that, unlike you, I don’t think is fair taking their money to support the rest of America SS benefits. And on top of that, you bitch about it. Shame on you!!
February 13, 2013 at 5:30 AM
Nobody asked them to break our laws. Nobody told them they would be guaranteed anything by invading our land. They should concentrate on fixing their own country and corruption within their government. Mexico is a rich country with so many natural resources to tap into that would, in turn, provide good jobs right there. They flee here because of the mess there. Fix your own damn country instead of leeching off ours.
February 13, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Exactly how are they paying SS taxes when they work for cash under the table?
There are plenty of studies that show that illegal immigrants, even when they do pay taxes, end up costing the economy more in the social services they use. We need immigrants that are highly trained to help this country's economy, not immigrants that we have to educate and support.
February 12, 2013 at 6:34 PM
Considering Obama has made plans to move to Hawaii as soon as he finishes this term he doesnt care what happens to the rest of the United States.
February 12, 2013 at 7:06 PM
Well, he does get a nice fat pension and free first-rate healthcare (none of this healthcare exchange he's making the rest of us go into) for life.
Must be nice to be part of the nobility and not a serf like the rest of us.
February 12, 2013 at 8:45 PM
uptil I saw the bank draft which said $5130, I have faith that…my… friend was like truly earning money in there spare time from their computer.. there sisters roommate has done this less than and just paid for the debts on their mini mansion and got a top of the range Acura. go to……… http://xurl.es/oi3pe
February 12, 2013 at 10:35 PM
Obama= same stuff from his mouth. Shit and lies.
February 12, 2013 at 11:53 PM
How is raising minimum wage going to make us competetive to China and third world labor? More jobs will pour out of our country for greener, cheaper pastures.
February 13, 2013 at 12:14 AM
The very definition of oxymoron: "Raise minimum wage" and "Create jobs" in the same speech.
One obviates the other.
February 13, 2013 at 4:45 PM
He just wants to make sure that people will be paid enough to buy their Obamacare insurance, since the government is discouraging full-time jobs.
February 13, 2013 at 1:40 AM
If you think Nathan`s story is unimaginable,, 5 weeks ago my girlfriends brother basically made $9337 grafting an eleven hour week at home and there neighbor's half-sister`s neighbour did this for seven months and got a cheque for over $9337 in their spare time at their computer. apply the advice on this page, http://xurl.es/y7fyy
February 13, 2013 at 7:04 AM
Spam,version one.
February 13, 2013 at 5:54 AM
What people are missing in Obama's concern for 11 million people who entered this country illegally is the little to no concern for the legal Native American indigenous people contained on reservations much like the Japanese were kept in containment camps during World War II. Just watch one of the programs currently on TV about Alaska. Any citizen of the US at age 21 can buy alcoholic beverages. "But" if an Native American so much as buys or drinks an alcoholic beverage they "go to jail". This is just the tip of the way our "true Americans" are being poorly treated. So President Obama if you truly believe in equality for all people, start by correcting the injustice of our own "Native American people of color" many who have Hispanic heritage. Provide them with jobs and schools and clothing and food. Then worry about the people who already have a Country that has more than enough wealth to support its own citizens.
February 13, 2013 at 6:15 AM
Jobs are an enormous concern. Obama cant truly expect to provide jobs for already out of work American's by adding 11 million immigrants plus their resulting relatives Parents, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts,Cousins to the mix. All of whom can "immmediately" tap into Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and other "already tapped out" social services.
February 13, 2013 at 6:52 AM
There's a saying your eyes are bigger than your stomach. As usually Obama puts more on his plate than the US can handle.
February 13, 2013 at 6:57 AM
Eleven plus million immigrants where does Obama plan to find job for all these people? Add our returning troops and I see not only another recession but a depression.
February 13, 2013 at 7:17 AM
You have to give Obama one thing he's a great speaking able to work a crowd into a frenzy. The bad news is it's all talk and always falls short of what the United States really needs to recover, better yet succeed and prosper.
February 13, 2013 at 7:38 AM
The President's worldview, any citizen of any country who wants to work hard and get ahead is as entitled to a job as an American, even if that citizen of another country has broken our laws to be here.
If you against any kind of Amnesty, go to this website and register.
Google this: NUMBERSUSA .Once you are registered, go to the "action board"
February 13, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Almost correct. He is of the opinion that if you work hard, sacrifice, take risks, work hard, sacrifice, work hard and actually succeed despite the odds, then you are evil and should be taxed your "fair share" and then taxed more, until you are no longer successful…
The man is delusional.
His whole we can save money by spending more should be all the evidence needed to support that claim.
February 13, 2013 at 8:27 AM
The President's view is "Any citizen of any country is entitled to a job in America as any American" even if the citizen of another country broke the law to be her?. So these people are admittedly criminals. Then empty out all the prisons including US jails and prisions and left them have the jobs available.
February 13, 2013 at 8:39 AM
People were too busy yesterday watching the drama unfold in the Californian apprehension of former LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner. I'm sure people across the world are interested in the barbaric way this man was executed burnt to death without a trial. So much for setting an example of Democracy and due process for other Countries to follow or telling nations like Iran, Iraq, Russia and North Korea how to handle themselves and what to do.
February 13, 2013 at 9:44 AM
Why is this clown still in office…
Romney? Oh yeah… Well there was that…
Seriously folks. We need a leader. Are the jokers that the two parties keep foisting on us really the best America has to offer?
This guy is just embarrassing.
February 13, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Why is this clown still in office…
February 13, 2013 at 11:35 AM
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February 13, 2013 at 1:41 PM
"VIRUS" DO NOT OPEN ANYTHING FROM "susan673" or "whitewoman"
February 13, 2013 at 1:13 PM
This big eared,skinny,nerd looking 1/2 negro is a complete joke!……..everybody thats not a negro or on govt welfare knows this s**t !!!!!!………this dork is nothing but a f*****g puppet for some wealthy white men!…….exactly what in the world woulda negro or even a 1/2 negro know about creating jobs?….when's the last time you shopped at a negro owned business?…….LMFAO @ you idiots and that nerd!…….wonder why his sheboon wife will not wear her big puffy godgiven afro?……negro gals don't have bangs,,,,dey be tryin to copycat dem white girls n s**t !…….LOL…….WHAT A PHONY CREEP THAT SHEBOON OBAMMY IS!!!
February 13, 2013 at 6:09 PM
I hope you run in 2016.
)
February 13, 2013 at 2:16 PM
How can you reignite something that is buried in quicksand? It's pretty
sad to see all the libs/dems, still giddy over the election, whilst they
squirm in said quicksand and meekly whisper FORWARD.
February 13, 2013 at 9:05 PM
USA Today asked its followers on social media to describe the SOTU address. The number one answer was "screwed".
Apparently, "Bush" also was a popular response, so don't expect Obama to actually be held accountable for his policies. His program of blaming everything on Bush is apparently still strong.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/02/12/…
February 13, 2013 at 9:32 PM
Crazy to let 11 million people who are here illegally just stay when we have no way to determine who they are or if they have a criminal background.