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Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
Senior White House advisor Valerie Jarrett prepares for an interview on a morning network news show from the North Lawn of the White House on Tuesday. President Barack Obama will pitch new initiatives on jobs, taxes and housing in an election-year State of the Union address on Tuesday as he seizes his biggest moment yet on the national stage to make a sweeping case for a second term.
President Barack Obama prepared to address the nation Tuesday night in an annual speech heavily laced with calls for economic fairness — a key political message as the U.S. heads deeper into a contentious election year with voters distressed by the wobbly economy.
With more people living in poverty and middle-class wages flat or falling, with unemployment still at 8.5 percent and millions of Americans having lost or being threatened with the loss of their homes to mortgage foreclosures, Obama faces the ominous challenge of convincing Americans to give him a second term in November.
And that's likely the underlying theme in Obama's nationally televised State of the Union address to Congress.
Foreign policy issues will likely only receive glancing attention. That matches national concerns. A new survey by the Pew Research Center shows 81 percent of Americans want Obama to focus his speech on domestic affairs, Five years ago, with the war still raging in Iraq, the concerns of voters were evenly split between domestic and foreign issues.
David Plouffe, a senior adviser to President Obama, talks to TODAY's Ann Curry about the 2012 presidential race and previews President Obama's State of the Union address.
The Republican National Committee, missing no chance to remind Americans of their economic misery, has put out a new television advertisement in conjunction with Obama's speech. It hammers his handling of the economy and leaves no doubt that the opposition views the speech as a political event.
The ad reminds voters of "the 13 million unemployed and 49 million in poverty — that are a direct result of Barack Obama's failed leadership." It is on the air in the key swing states of North Carolina, Virginia and Michigan, as well as the nation's capital.
Obama was expected to outline plans for restoring the middle class while urging voters not to abandon him as the economy finally shows signs of a rebound from the Great Recession. The deepest economic downturn since the 1930's Great Depression was already under way before Obama took over the presidency from George W. Bush three years ago.
Republicans acknowledge that but insist that Obama has bungled the recovery.
Republican candidate Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, calls Obama "the most effective food stamp president in history." That's a reference to the government food assistance program for the poor.
Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who has slipped from Republican front-runner to parity with Gingrich in national polls, says Obama "wants to turn America into a European-style entitlement society."
Obama must insist he is fighting for economic fairness in a country that has seen a vast increase in the percentage of the nation's wealth that is held by the very few. The president is expected to urge higher taxes on the wealthy, propose ways to make college more affordable, offer new steps to tackle a debilitating housing crisis and push to help U.S. manufacturers expand hiring.
The day before his speech, Obama's re-election campaign operation released a Web ad showing monthly job losses during the end of the Bush administration and the beginning of the Obama administration. It shows positive job growth for nearly two years of Obama's term.
White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett joins Morning Joe to discuss the president's Tuesday State of the Union address. Jarrett says the president will discuss what it takes to have sustained growth and a strong economy in the U.S. along with growing U.S. manufacturing.
The Republican House Speaker John Boehner, responding to reports of Obama's speech themes, said it was a rehash of unhelpful policies. "It's pathetic," he said.
Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell, also a Republican, said he already felt a sense of disappointment about the speech. "Based on what the president's aides have been telling reporters, the goal isn't to conquer the nation's problems. It's to conquer Republicans," he said.
Presidential spokesman Jay Carney said Obama is not conceding the next 10 months to "campaigning alone," given the nation's need for economic growth and jobs. On the goals of helping people get a fair shot, Carney said: "There's ample room within those boundaries for bipartisan cooperation and for getting this done."
For three days following his speech, Obama will promote his ideas in five states key to his re-election bid: Iowa, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Michigan. Polling shows Americans are divided about Obama's overall job approval but unsatisfied with his handling of the economy.
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I'm on SSI and when Obama's Stinulous Package was announced I got a letter say I was to get $250. I owed for a illigetimate child my exwife had and I refused to pay. So I got another letter saying that, no, I wasn't going to get $250, that it would be applied to the debt. L I E. I owed $293 before he came into office and I STILL owe $293. How many others in the same boat with me were lied to? 1? 10? 10,000?
He can FOAD for all I care, all the lieing politicians with him :(
This President lies about everything. He needs to go!
to u GOPers do u people know how many republicans, voted in favor of MEDICARE, back in 1965, when PRES. JOHNSON SIGNED the medicare bill into law--ONE the rest of the scum bags voted against it. now tell me where the hell would the poor and the needy of this country be today without MEDICARE? think about that before u ever vote republican again. BILL T. a lifelong democrat and damn well proud of it AT election time,remember the ass u save may be ur own, so vote democrat
Maybe we wouldn't need so much Medicare if we stopped housing, feeding and educating ILLEGAL aliens. I don't need the government to save my ass, I work for a living and can take care of myself, thank you very much.
President Bush wanted to grant all illegals amnesty. Are we forgetting about that?
First of all , President Obama has to clean up 16 years of bull!! By the Bush family that we called " our presidents". So everybody thinks one man is supposed to clean up a mess that was done in that time. GET REAL !!!!!!!! When President Obama was elected everybody thought things were supposed to change over night GET REAL!!!!!! Lets be smart and not dumb. I think he's doing the best he can, and he might need another four years to accomplish that. Just because he's an African - American , everyone thinks its okay to put the blame on him. So lets stop putting pointing the finger at one man, when two people put us in the predicament that we're in, that took 16 years to make. In saying that I will vote for him again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats right, play the race card, thats all you have. Place the blame on others. Obama had control of, let me think, the House, Senate AND the White House... for TWO YEARS and couldn't do anything but run up the deficit more than any other president in history. Get real or get off the welfare and get a job!
It was 12 years, It just seemed like 16...... 1st Moron Bush was one 4 year term, 2nd Bush moron was 8 but to be fair you need to include 8 Clinton years for a total of 20 years of allowing illegals in while sending jobs out
Being the president is an impossible job. However, Obama has managed to get us out of Iraq. He took out OBL. Hopefully, he will get us out of Afghanistan. Even though I am a conservative. If he can wipe out the top ten terrorists he will get my vote. If he can wipe out the top five he will get my vote.
John, I think yo uare mistaken. Troops were withdrawn from Iraq based on the time table set forth by Bush and Karzai. Obama had nothing to do with it except to take false credit for the action.
Yes. It is entirely possible that anyone in office may have done the same thing. But, he was there when it happened. So he gets the credit.
This is the same irresponsible BIAS reporting which the media molded the public into believing that got this poor excuse of a president (small p) elected in the first place. Your liberal bias is a sham on the word "objective reporting"..this is journalism ??? of the worst kind. Brainwashing and indoctrination are better words for MSBN . The man is a disgrace to every aspect of the principals of our founding fathers and this nation.
Opps not Karzai. I meant Maliki
Proposed mortgage settlement offers little relief for homeowners
By John W. Schoen, Senior Producer
"A proposed $25 billion settlement between five big banks, state attorneys general and the Obama administration may help resolve some of the thornier legal issues surrounding the mortgage mess that caused the housing market to collapse.
It will do relatively little to stop the ongoing wave of home foreclosures or revive the deeply depressed housing market, however."
Yes, another Obama failure to do what he'd actually hoped and stated
he would accomplish. Yet another Obama arrow, falling short of the target.
Again...
Want to thank all of you, for your Powerfull stand against Oboma & His Corrupted political partners.
But there is so much more we can do. Being aggressive and focusing on the facts and truth is only the first step.
We musT follow Up with more details standing by our convictions and dont back down.
Oboma has NOT brought CHANGE, In fact ~! ~ THE ONLY real THING needing CHANGE !....Was Barack Hussein Obama II.
HIMSELF
Barack Hussein Obama II ( Who hates American Values ) who is A " SELF PROCLAIMED Enemy" ~of responsible, Morally Conscious HARD WORKING Americans.
oBOMAS Irresponsible & DRUG MAFIA and reckless supporters KNOW~ that Barack Hussein Obama II, WILL FORCE YOU to paY THEM, out of your PockeT .{ FOR all of their UNCHECKED Vices and THRILLS/
{ All on YOU | /
At your COST & Sacrifice
...This UN~CHANGABLE fraud, has done His VERY BEST to Inspire VIOLENCE. For THESE ARE OBAMAS Very OWN WORDS.. saying .........To his supporters.
Saying "Get ready for hand-to-hand combat with your Fellow Americans"
– Obama has ALSO DECLARED to his Supporters...."I want all Americans to get in each others faces!– Obama demands !
"You bring a knife to a fight pal, we'll bring a gun" –
THESE ARE OBAMAS OWN WORDS.. /and ANGER VIOLENCE and more taxes..... THIS IS OBAMAS Change for america /"Hit Back Twice As Hard". He commands !*Obama on the private sector: ~~ "We talk to these folks…~ / so I know whose a*$ to KICK." OBOMA wants to KICK your a*$ /
Shouting THAT Republican victory would mean ~ "hand to hand combat"
HE IS EXPECTING people to be on Edge and BORDERLINE killing MODE, VIOLENT / and STAND up for their immoral CAUSES
THIS IS WHAT HE LIVES FOR ./ ./ ./ THESE ARE OBAMAS OWN WORDS.. !
* Obama Tells democrats: " I'm itching for a fight." !
....PLEASE.... go to reXes NEW WebsiTe ~ ! Oboma *( Just like Adolf Hitler~~\oBOMA~~~ Demands ! -- [ THE FINAL SOLUTION - for Un~Wanted Children
Barak Obama is A MURDERER .~Torturing UNWANTED babys on DEATH ROE
CLICK HERE www.obomlnation.webstarts.com/index.html
OBAMA TAKES a little NEW BORN innocent child. BORN. ALIVE sTabS it iN the head SUCKs ITS BRAINS OUT.
This is just too wrong and horrible. Please stand for Loving Children and the USA
It doesn't take a genius to spend other peoples money. I do give the liberal minded Obama credit for maintaining Bush's orders to get Bin Laden. Although, I think, it was more about politics for Obama than principal, but the seals did do a great job.
Don't like the way health care was put into play. Obama supporters don't seem to care that a majority of Americans don't want the plan as written. Or how, for that matter, it was put into law. Nevertheless a good example why liberals have a reputation for being elitists. Despite all the complex issues and problems with health care this law should be scraped. A country, founded on liberty, should not accept a government imposed law which forces it's citizens to buy a product. A person either gets that or they don't. It's not a question of care or not caring. Obama should not be re-elected on this issue alone.
Obama doing what?
I voted for Obama and regret it.
He just reaffirmed my vote against him by saying he wanted a bill that led to the path of citizenship for ILLEGALS kids. I'm tired of paying for them sneaking in here, getting welfare by pumping out 4-8 kids per couple and then useing the kids SS cards to get jobs on the books and they rent out the other cards to ILLEGALS who don't have kids yet. Deport 1 million ILLEGALS and save 1 BILLION in tax dollars and free up 250,0000 jobs for CITIZENS .
10 words sum up the speech
Nice Feel Good Words, Political Lies, And Mostly Bull @!$%#
but he will get reelected because of the 2 leading Republican buffoons he will likely face on election day
Chopper, how wonderful did you feel when Bush lied to your about the WMD? And how did you feel you gave him that blank check to charge untold amounts of taxpayers' dollars for bombs and missiles?
Did it bring a warm and fuzzy to the pit of your stomach? Or was that gas?
Want to thank all of you, for your Powerfull stand against Oboma & His Corrupted political partners.
But there is so much more we can do. Being aggressive and focusing on the facts and truth is only the first step.
We musT follow Up with more details standing by our convictions and dont back down.
Oboma has NOT brought CHANGE, In fact ~! ~ THE ONLY real THING needing CHANGE !....Was Barack Hussein Obama II.
HIMSELF
Barack Hussein Obama II ( Who hates American Values ) who is A " SELF PROCLAIMED Enemy" ~of responsible, Morally Conscious HARD WORKING Americans.
oBOMAS Irresponsible & DRUG MAFIA and reckless supporters KNOW~ that Barack Hussein Obama II, WILL FORCE YOU to paY THEM, out of your PockeT .{ FOR all of their UNCHECKED Vices and THRILLS/
{ All on YOU | /
At your COST & Sacrifice
...This UN~CHANGABLE fraud, has done His VERY BEST to Inspire VIOLENCE. For THESE ARE OBAMAS Very OWN WORDS.. saying .........To his supporters.
Saying "Get ready for hand-to-hand combat with your Fellow Americans"
– Obama has ALSO DECLARED to his Supporters...."I want all Americans to get in each others faces!– Obama demands !
"You bring a knife to a fight pal, we'll bring a gun" –
THESE ARE OBAMAS OWN WORDS.. /and ANGER VIOLENCE and more taxes..... THIS IS OBAMAS Change for america /"Hit Back Twice As Hard". He commands !*Obama on the private sector: ~~ "We talk to these folks…~ / so I know whose a*$ to KICK." OBOMA wants to KICK your a*$ /
Shouting THAT Republican victory would mean ~ "hand to hand combat"
HE IS EXPECTING people to be on Edge and BORDERLINE killing MODE, VIOLENT / and STAND up for their immoral CAUSES
THIS IS WHAT HE LIVES FOR ./ ./ ./ THESE ARE OBAMAS OWN WORDS.. !
* Obama Tells democrats: " I'm itching for a fight." !
....PLEASE.... go to reXes NEW WebsiTe ~ ! Oboma *( Just like Adolf Hitler~~\oBOMA~~~ Demands ! -- [ THE FINAL SOLUTION - for Un~Wanted Children
Barak Obama is A MURDERER .~Torturing UNWANTED babys on DEATH ROE
CLICK HERE www.obomlnation.webstarts.com/index.html
OBAMA TAKES a little NEW BORN innocent child. BORN. ALIVE sTabS it iN the head SUCKs ITS BRAINS OUT.
This is just too wrong and horrible. Please stand for Loving Children and the USA
Ok this comment goes to Buck Hunter , first of all what made you think that I was on welfare . You don't know anything about me , and just to let you know no one was playing the race card . I just said that Obama had 12 or 16years of bull to clean up because its true ! So your the ignorant prick that decided to play the race card and tell me to get off welfare ! Hm-mm yea shows how much of a " man " you are ! . But anyways that besides the point. I'm still gonna have my beliefs and I still will vote for Obama next election and its as simple as that .