State of the Union Predictions (Assignment #6)

Assignment #6: Predicting the Address

In his first State of the Union address, in 2009, President Barak Obama focused his attention on the war he inherited when he stepped into office. Obama talked about his visitation with military families and to military bases, the importance of schooling and the economic status of the county. 

When Obama delivers his first State of the Union address since being elected for a second term on Feb. 12, I predict the report will include commentary on certain “hot-button” topics such as the economy, equal rights, Obamacare, gun control and other plans he has for the year.

The State of the Union address is used as a communication device between the president, Congress and the rest of the country. It is an update of the president’s vision for the following year. This is important because it informs citizens and legislators of the country’s current standing, and where the president of the time plans to take it. 

One topic Obama will mention is the debt ceiling and fiscal cliff. After a decision was made to raise the country’s debt ceiling until March 2013, it seems like an important topic that Obama would want to update the country on this. 

Obama will explain his plan for pulling America out of debt, and pulling the nation back to its feet. 

Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt also faced an economic crisis when he took office. The Great Depression had destroyed the country, and Roosevelt was elected on promises that he would improve the country’s economy. 

Obama stated in his 2009 State of the Union address that the economy was in an unacceptable place, and since there has not been significant improvement, he will address this issue again.

A similar topic Obama may speak about is the tax break former president George W. Bush’s had in tact coming to an end.

Because Obama is a Democrat and Bush is a Republican, the two have conflicting views on taxation policies.

A former president that Obama shares similar taxation ideas with is Bill Clinton. Both share the label of Democrat, and tend to believe in taxing similar ways.  

Clinton has supported Obama throughout his presidential term, and continues to back Obama’s policy plans. 

Another similarity the two share is the fact that they were both elected to a second presidential term. Twenty-one presidents have been elected to serve second terms, four of whom were passed the torch, but later elected to remain in office, according to CNN.com. 

Another topic Obama may speak about is a change that will take place later. Some of the aspects of his previously passed health care plan will go into effect. He has spent much of his time in the White House fighting for this legislation.

A major topic that Obama has brought up on occasions such as presidential candidate debates and his inauguration speech is immigration policies. 

Obama has stated that he believes immigrants deserve to be welcomed into the United States, and that he intends to try and insure their rights.

A similar topic that Obama will bring up will include civil rights, especially those of the LBGT communities. 

The topic of gay rights came up in Obama’s inauguration speech. 

“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like everyone else under the law - for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well,” Obama said.

The idea of unity is popular among presidents, and Obama shares the support of this with former president John F. Kennedy.

In his first State of the Union addresses, Kennedy said he wanted the county to come together and work together to be part of a successful, modern country. 

When Kennedy entered into his second term, during his State of the Union address he reiterated on these topics and on the progress the country had made. 

The fight for more gun regulations will be mentioned during the address. Obama will mention the legislation he has proposed concerning weapons.

Since the country entered what has been labeled by news organizations such as WNBC and Fox News as the post Sandy Hook Era, Obama has stressed his concern about the availability of guns, especially assault weapons. 

After the nation’s outcry for harsher gun regulations, Obama announced that he and Vice President Joe Biden would start pushing for some regulations. 

I definitely believe this will be talked about, due to the controversy that has been surrounding it. I think he will ask the nation to get behind him and support his ideals concerning gun rights.

The basic theme Obama will be for Americans to come together and operate as a unit. He stressed this idea during his Jan. 21 inauguration speech.

There is always the possibility that we will be surprised. Obama may come straight out of left field with fresh topics that Americans are not familiar with.