More than a year has passed since the historic inauguration of the United States’ 44th president, Barack Obama. On Wednesday, the President delivered his first eagerly anticipated State of the Union Address to Congress. Expectations were high for this annual speech and most people were wondering which major issues President Obama would choose to focus on. One issue in particular, the supposed repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, was a major headliner amongst news outlets and had the American public wondering if the President dared to touch upon the controversial issue.
Just like many of President Obama’s speeches in the past, this one was filled with charismatic language and yet again provided the public with a sense of hope. This speech was crucial, especially during this rough period for the Democrats, who have faced a series of heavy issues the past several weeks. At the top of that list came a loss in a once guaranteed Senate race, health care reform seeing a turn for the worst, rising unemployment numbers, an enormous deficit with this year’s budget, and a strong need for financial reform.
Critics of the President have made many sharp comments over the past year about how he has backed off the drive that he had during the campaign. Last Wednesday’s address showed a new side of the President, one that is unapologetic and direct.
At the top of the agenda for President Obama was healthcare. Although the public option was met with harsh criticisms from both parties, President Obama is not letting the entire bill die without a fight. It is evident that he will continue to push the value of health care reform, regardless of what controversy the media have been showering it with.
His push-come-to-shove attitude has carried into financial reform, as well, saying that change in this area is long overdue. He plans to carry out major alterations to America’s financial crisis whether or not Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner approves.
The President hopes to implement a new jobs bill in order to help boost the still-struggling economy to help fight unemployment numbers. With one of his campaign focuses being reducing unemployment rates, President Obama is under enormous pressure to make change.
Surprisingly, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was an issue that flew largely under the radar. Although briefly mentioned in the speech, the President failed to dedicate the anticipated generous amount of time to the topic. He did say, however, that the policy, which discriminates against homosexuals serving openly in the military, is getting thrown out.
But is this too little too late? With the shocking Senate loss for the Democrats in Massachusetts, the health care bill is barely hanging on. Congressional Democrats fear that the bill won’t pass at all and they will have to start from scratch.
On top of that, economists and political strategists have been warning for nearly a year that the budget stimulus package is too small. Either way, it would have been nice to have the jobs bill a year ago, before the stimulus package took effect. Even further, this new and bold Obama-tude is the kind of leadership style that most Democrats have been searching for this past year.
Regardless of what happens in the next couple months, America is in store for some pretty drastic changes. With the new presidential attitude and progressive agenda, Obama critics already have their pens blazing on the faults they see with these new goals. The real question is — can the President rise to the occasion?
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