President Barack Obama plugged his Jan. 12 State of the Union address in a video trailer the White House released Wednesday - a measure to set expectations for the president's final address. Unlike previous years, Obama will not be setting a new legislative agenda. Instead, he will focus on the "big things" that have defined his presidency and what he thinks will make the country stronger and more prosperous, Politico first reported.
"Since I took office seven years ago, in the midst of crisis, I don't think I've ever been more optimistic about a year ahead than I am right now," Obama says in the video, according to the Associated Press.
Obama noted that he has not finalized the speech or what the "big things" are that will be the speech's focus, but the subject appears to be focused on long-term goals and aspirations.
“What I want to focus on in this State of the Union is not just the remarkable progress we’ve made, not just what I want to get done in the year ahead, but what we all need to do together in the years to come: the big things that will guarantee an even stronger, better, more prosperous America for our kids. That’s what’s on my mind,” Obama said, Time reported.
In an email to reporters, according to The Hill, White House chief of staff Denis McDonough indicated that Obama is likely to highlight a recent budget agreement with Congress, the Iran nuclear deal, the restoration of diplomatic relations with Cuba, increased domestic oil production with new environmental regulations, improved high school graduation rates, lower unemployment rates and increased access to health insurance.
The unorthodox address style Obama has planned could provide a challenge for the Republican response. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Tuesday that Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will deliver the GOP response to the State of the Union address.
