In his annual State of the Union address, the US president did not, in effect, have anything new to say to US citizens or the country’s political groups.
Obama’s fear of the congressional Republicans was completely evident in his annual address. He is fully aware that, in 2011 he will be severely challenged by the Republicans and they will try their utmost to defeat him in the 2012 presidential election.
At the beginning of his speech, Obama referred to the differences between his beliefs and the Republican philosophy and discussed the shooting of an Arizona congresswoman. He also said that this event can be a warning signal for US citizens and stressed the necessity of returning to solidarity and unity among various factions.
Obama is making these comments at a time when Bill Clinton, the former US president and one of the major members of the Democratic Party, has also warned about the climate that has been created in the US. If we compare warnings by Clinton and Obama, we will realize that the existing situation among the political groups in the US is serious.
Obama allocated another part of his speech to the repetition of his old promises; promises that the Americans no longer have the patience to hear. With his usual promises and slogans about a better future, he referred to issues such as the production of clean energy and non-reliance on fossil fuels, improvements in education standards and finding innovative ways to create more jobs in the country. However, Obama tried not to make the slightest reference to the undesirable situation in Wall Street and his country’s dire economic conditions!
The US health reform bill has been the only issue concerning which Obama has adopted a clear strategy. With regard to the health law, the US president has stated that he will not submit to its annulment. At the same time, Obama addressed those Republicans who wish for the complete eradication of this law and said that he is ready to accept and use any constructive recommendations for the improvement of this bill.
But it seems that this bill will remain as one of the main challenges between the Republican and Democratic parties. If the bill does not receive approval in the Senate to become a law, Obama will have no choice but to use his special authority.
During the rest of his address, Obama referred to the issue of illegal immigration and the necessity of paying attention to it. He stated that, in addition to strengthening borders and improving border protection, the uncertain fate of millions of immigrants must also be determined and their talents and energy must be put to use.
With regard to US foreign policy, Obama has claimed that, as a result of his government’s efforts, American leadership has been renewed globally and new US standards have been established! It is unclear what standards and new leadership Obama is speaking of! The US allies’ defeats in Western, Arab and even African countries shows that the US sell-by-date claim of being a superpower has expired, and in practice Obama’s claims have no basis in the outside world.