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Subscribe to RSSObama to focus on the economy in State of the Union… A reminder: As the economy goes, so goes Obama (and his second-term agenda)… The speech, politically, also will be a way to frame the sequester debate… Rubio’s chance in the spotlight… And the danger for Hagel: having his confirmation vote linger.
As NBC's Tracie Potts reports, the president's State of the Union speech "will outline his plan to create jobs and grow the middle class by investing in people."
*** Focusing on the economy: President Obama’s inaugural address last month was billed as a call to action, as well as a not-so-subtle declaration that American politics had been transformed -- on the role of government, on gay rights, and on war. But tomorrow night’s State of the Union will have a slightly different focus, White House aides say, with Obama emphasizing the economy and revisiting the economic themes from his re-election campaign. The speech “will outline his plan to create jobs and grow the middle class by investing in people,” an administration official tells First Read, adding: “The president’s plan grows the economy from the middle out by investing in manufacturing, clean energy, education, and infrastructure.” Obama also will call on Congress to reduce the nation’s deficit and debt, including via entitlement reform, but he will say these cuts need to be balanced and not borne solely by the middle class. The White House always viewed his two big speeches in three weeks (the inaugural and State of the Union) as two bites at the bully-pulpit apple. And the same administration official calls the two speeches “two acts in the same play.” While the White House maintains they have been focused on the economy, tomorrow’s speech will put an end to the chatter (they hope) that they haven’t spent enough time TALKING about the economy.
Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama speaks during an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta at Joint Base Myer-Henderson in Arlington, Va., Feb. 8, 2013.
*** A reminder: As the economy goes, so goes Obama (and his second-term agenda): Yet with Obama spending his political capital on his proposals to curb gun violence and reform the nation’s immigration system -- which he’ll also address on Tuesday -- reemphasizing the economy allows the president to return to the issue that remains the public’s top concern. After all, the unemployment rate, while down substantially from its high in 2009, is at 7.9%, and GDP contracted in the fourth quarter of 2012. And according to our national NBC/WSJ poll, only 36% of respondents said they were either “very” or “fairly” confident in Obama’s ability to promote a strong and growing economy. Remember, if the economy slows down, it makes it harder to get anything else done (like on guns or immigration).
*** Framing the sequester: Another way to look at Obama’s State of the Union is to frame the budget debate over the looming sequester -- that is, the automatic spending cuts (in defense and other programs) set to take place in March. As Politico writes, “President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech will be less a presidential olive branch than a congressional cattle prod. Emboldened by electoral victory and convinced the GOP is unwilling to cut deals, Obama plans to use his big prime-time address Tuesday night to issue another broad challenge at a Republican Party he regards as vulnerable and divided, Democrats close to Obama say.” More: “Privately, administration officials see [the speech] as an extension of Obama’s unabashedly provocative and progressive Jan. 21 inaugural address, their latest attempt to leverage favorable deals on the sequester and the debt ceiling comparable to the watershed deal Obama secured on increasing taxes on the wealthy. Obama now hopes to use his post-election popularity to force new tax increases and fewer budget cuts on Republicans as part of any deal to avert a $1.2 trillion menu of automatic cuts increasingly likely to kick in on March 1.” This won’t be as easy as the fiscal cliff because Obama has got to get Congress to pro-actively stop it. And right now, House Republicans seem nearly unified on the idea of letting the cuts happen.
*** Rubio’s chance in the spotlight: In addition to Obama, there’s another person who will be in the spotlight on Tuesday night -- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who is giving the GOP response. This is a great opportunity for the potential 2016er. But as we noted last week, the State of the Union responder hasn’t been a great stepping stone for those looking to run for higher office. In fact, the last eventual party nominee to deliver the response was Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) in 1996. And the last person to deliver one and go on to be president was Bill Clinton in 1985 when he was governor of Arkansas.
*** Do you have to let it linger? Finally, while it remains pretty clear that Chuck Hagel still has the votes to be confirmed as the president’s defense secretary, any day that goes by when there’s not a vote isn’t a good day for him. That said, Politico reports that the Senate Armed Services Committee could vote on Hagel’s nomination as soon as Tuesday, “but Republican aides reacted to that idea by suggesting that some members could walk out in protest.” Democrats and the Obama White House, if they want him confirmed, can’t let his nomination linger.Click here to sign up for First Read emails.
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The President - has an opportunity - to come clean with the people of America - admit he doesn't really know how to get the jobs and economy heading toward prosperity - as seen by his 4 plus years in office
Quit playing the excuses and blame record - and get serious with the people about a real proven plan to restore jobs, the economy and faith in our leadership
Otherwise - he's just blowing more of the same - and we'll continue - to get the same failed results
6 million jobs. Highest corporate profits ever. Construction booming.
@ Markinbecker, what have you been smoking!!! Open your eyes and stop being delusional. Economy will not boom as long as prices go higher and income goes lower. Do the math!!! It does not work!!! You are clueless as the President!!!!!
7.9% unemployment, 25+ million people out of work, record numbers on assistance and stagnant growth. Sounds booming to me........That koolaide is powerful stuff
2.2 million jobs in 2012 : 3.5 million estimated for 2013 : 4.5 million estimated for 2014 ; Clean sweep for the democrats in the 2014 election (hold senate and take the house). Boo Yah.
Over 43 Million Americans - on Food Stamps - Record High
Let me guess; we'll just ask the wealthy to pay a little bit more, like Obamacare and the fiscal cliff deal.
And how will the middle class be "grown out"? Investing tax dollars and creating larger taxpayer liabilities? Printing more money? Throttling interest rates for several more years?
So far President Obama's "growing out" the middle class is simply enlarging the definition of the non-wealthy affected by tax increases.
When will people realize that Obama is terrible for our country!!!!!! He is slowly destroying it.
focus on the economy? really more boob bait for the low information voters
Feisty the all wise and compassionate parrot dispenses more of her wisdom. LOL.
The New Normal
You are seeing it over and over again. The new normal, school shooting, children killing parents, people just snapping. Parents abusing and killing their children. But everyone just tosses up their hands in un-belief and some say O My God, or how could God let this happen. Well, I’m not sure why your bringing God into it, America has been trying to kick God out for years. You have kicked God out of our schools, government building, ect. And now that God has left and let hell run its course you blame it on God?
Hell has done its job well. Hell has flooded our media with evil and when I say evil I’m talking about evil on steroids. Hell has made it fun to enjoy for the whole family. Hell has flooded the TV, our movies, our video game, you name it and it’s there. We have also became a country of pill poppers, they have made a pill for everything to give to our youngest to our oldest because it’s easy. Just take a look at the side effects and some say right there in black and white may cause depression, hallucinations, suicidal tendencies, oh and let’s not forget this one and sometimes death. What happened doctors, don’t you remember what you promised? Your oath, do no harm, sounds a bit like doing harm to me.
You know when I was a boy we didn’t have all this violence. But we didn’t have Hell crammed in 24/7. You can tune into hell full HD just by the push of a button, but when I say you I mean your kids. Your kids submerge themselves into their killing spree HD on the big screen and pop the ADD or whatever kind of pill. And you have the gall to wonder why we have all the killing? That’s all our kids know, they are flooded with it you fools, but this is what you get by saying if you don’t want to watch it you can turn it off. You were stupid the first time you said it and you are stupid now because you will not put a stop to it. You are going to continue to allow the so called media makers to keep flooding our TV, movies, games with the most vile thing the mind can come up with and say it’s ok and not obscene because it’s not showing nudity.
You know, in war times they brain wash someone by drugging them and flood there mind with whatever they want in the enemies brain to make them do or kill anyone that person can get close too. You’re allowing them to do that to your kids and you’re paying them to do it.
Did you know a 1 minute commercial during the Super Bowl cost 3.5 million dollars and they have the nerve to say a little bit of TV or entertainment never hurt anybody? Did you know they have to sell 3 times as much stuff to just break even to the cost? They are banking 3.5 million dollars on 1 minute of time will influence Americans enough to buy 10.5 million dollars worth of stuff from that 1 minute ad on TV. Do you still believe a little bit of TV doesn’t bother you or your kids, a little bit of violence, a little bit of sex, a little bit of people doing drugs, a little bit of rape, a little bit of murder.
If you don’t get a clue and figure out what is really causing our issues by what I’m telling you and stop them from allowing this rot into your kids mind, you have just seen a small amount of what is to come. America is rotting from the inside. You can stop the madness. There is only 1 way, but America will never allow it or believe it because they would rather rot and have its entertainment filth. God is real, this was once a nation under God but now it is not, it’s a nation of our kids thinking we came from monkeys which is being taught to them in our schools.
There are only 2 directions for our country to go, the way it is now and will become worse then you have ever seen or the way it used to be which is old fashion and behind the times. The new normal with your faith in man leading you to your doom as you see it happening before your very eyes or faith in God leading to salvation as our forefathers setup at our countries birth, remember, 1 nation under God.
You know, when I was a kid we didn’t have this kind of problem, and I know why.
Obama is still working on the economy?
He isn't working, he's attempting to have others work for him utilizing leverage, influence and hidden agenda.
No leadership there.
He is still trying to figure out what an ecomony is. It is such an abstract thought.
I want to know when we finally get this free Health Care and I am able to stop paying my mortgage..........isn't that why we all voted for him?
Dorohty your not in Kansas anymore.
Obama to focus - SEQUESTER, more like Cliffquester. Focus isn’t one
of Obama’s good traits as well as his leadership. He’s just about trying to be
popular that’s all. He’s hypocritical and failing in performing his oath of office
and deliration of duty in many areas. ObamaCare the lets sign it so we can find
out whats in it policy. (Great governing) Benghazi was a poor display of
leadership for HIM or nation and his administration due to his campaign focus
and not the job/task at hand.( 4 Lives lost more). Economy shovel ready A big joke.
There are so many times he states one thing and does another historically in
his career in government. There is very little to be said for this career other
than influence, no transparency and very little real legislation created effectively
or implemented. Everywhere the wind blows.
I sure hope that President Obummer has something good to say. I see most of the animals getting restless because the bread is runing out !!!
What a waste of time. It's a repeat of what ever speech he has said before. He is still clueless. I see more and more of business shutting their doors, I see more and more with out health insurance ever before. I see health insurance cost, food cost, gas cost, utilities cost, clothing cost, and what ever cost going higher more than American's income. I seen a severe tax increase more to the middle class and poor than the rich. They (Demy's) bragged if they raise the top 2% was the answer to our problem. Shame on you american's who thought that was the answer. Did they forget the top 2% is everybody in Washington D.C. Get ready the pain has not hit yet! This is just the beginning!!! I would watch this if he apologize to us for all the mistake and lies he has told us. For now he is denial with a very compulsive behavior of being clueless.
CLUELESS. You speak of costs, wait till ObamaCare actually is in effect. You will find it dificult to see doctors, costs will increase and penalties to boot if you don't have insurance or benefit package. Oh and of course like all government agencies run very poorly, slow and behind the times INEFFICIENT. Oh privacy like medical records Don't worry.
Totally agree with you brother Joker. I already went up in cost with medicare patient in fees that are not cover by medicare. And I will never be a medicaid provider.
3 YEARS 11 MONTHS
Don't remind me... We can Hope!!!
Before Hillary becomes President.
Hillary is a snake in the grass Benghazi should tell you that.
No it doesn't. Hillary will be elected President in 2016.
markinbecker I see you cant wairt till 2016 too even though you voted this loser in twice.
If Obama was serious about the economy he would have made budgets. The main thing you need to access the situation and where to go from there. Obama has no intention of making a budget. If he did everyone might wake up and see his tax and spend routine.
When you steal money from others and print it you do not need a budget...
Delay, delay, delay, stall.
This is his administration historically and we expect some media titled of state "obama focused."
ON what? No the ecomomy 4 yrs moving forward.....crap on economy.
If he was even partially focused your correct the budget and other legislation would be completed in a timely basis.
And OH I have a Dartboard I can send him, I'm sure it's worn out, but the center ring looks like new.
Allot of double speak on the outside edges
Odd how our president's focus shifts when it suits his needs. Laser focus on the economy - pretty much 8% employment since he got here, great focus for sure; psuedo dream act - full re-election mode, latinos vote high for dems.
Really, the economy who would have thought.
Spend less, balance a budget once you get around to providing one!!!
Focused like a laser on jobs and the economy.
There is no economy. The economy is in the sh!tter thanks to this sh!thead. He's a disgrace! The WORST president in U.S. history!
Correction - this economy is in shiittter because of George Bush. Bush crashed the economy in 2008. Nothing but improvement ever since.
Markin, What planet do you live on?
A "laser like" focus on the economy...I've heard this before...words...just words...
Like Solyndra?
The liar in-chief will confirm that he is truly deserving of that title, LIAR IN-Chief, if he (Obama) was to come clean about his involvement in the Benghazi incident then we'd know the truth, instead he'd rather corn-ball his way and blame any & everybody for his failure to respond and along with being responsible for the deaths of the four Americans, he is solely responsible for the inadequate actions of his administration.
The rescue was Stopped. Who gave those orders and removed the commander when he was going in anyways... That is the question...
The president is going to say the same BS he did 4 years ago... Let me flush another tens of billions into fake green companies set up by my contributors for payback and don't worry when the money runs out as they will declare bankruptcy and be ok. I will continue to give billions to the lazy and undeserving (welfare) and call it investing in American. I will work hard to get the ILLEGALS registered as Democrats,,,I mean on the pathway to American citizenship to vote legally as Democrats. I know Regan waved his wand and made 12 million illegals legal but I can do better. I can make 20+ million legal and do nothing to close the borders...I will cut spending 10 years down the road. I think I can break a new record of deficits maybe even 22 Trillion by the end of my second term as debt has no consequences. Now I know some of you are going to bring up that speech I made while senator about burdening our children with our debt and failure of leadership in regards to debt, but as I said in the past that was a lie and BS I was feeding you stupid people. If you don't like it I will have some drones fly over and you can file your complaint with them... Allah bless America... I mean god.
After he tells us how he has destroyed the economy maybe he can enlighten us with his whereabouts during the murders in Bengazi,probably on his prayer rug in the back room yelling allah akbar or whatever those murdering scum yell.
Stupid just got stupider?
Who needs to watch tomorrow? It will be more tax and waste. That is all they know. Even democrats are complaining about the increase in Social Security withholding.
Because it was his idea and he signed it into law. Obama still hasn't presented a budget to Congress. The democrats haven't proposed one in nearly 5 years. You own this one.
Nobody is complaining about ss withholding. Obama just gave everybody a short term break on the ss withholding - 2 years.
Maybe you ought to read something other than this trash.
Having someone blieve that Obamaa knows or cares anything about the economy is like saying to children yes their is a tooth fairy and Santa Claus. Thsi si rediculous! Obama is the worst enemy of the economy and of the muiddle class. Anyone who looks at the real life status of the middle class knows they have suffered tremendously under Obama. He is a magig act he missdirets and play at being for the poor while robbing them blind and then the poor of course blame the ruich because Obama attacts the rich. Americnas are trully stupid.
What about immigration, or gun control, or climate change? I thought he was setting an agenda for each of these?
He is incompetent.
No speech is going to fix this mess......and just think we get to have 4 more yrs of it! When a president spends more time trying to reward illegal immigrants in this nation than working on job development for our 24 million unemployed or under employed there isn't much hope
The phucs get freedom without fighting.Just kill more and get free living etc.