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President Obama State of the Union Address 2010 Full Text
President Obama gave his State of the Union address 2010 speech tonight, January 27th and he was clear about what the issues were and received a positive response for most of his points.
President Obama addressed the economy, education, taxes, the bank bailout, jobs and how he won't accept the United States being in second place for anything, among other points.
When speaking of the economy he says "the worst of the storm has passed, but the devastation remains".
He got a laugh when he said the bank bailout "was about as popular as a root canal". He got more laughs when he listed the tax cuts and said "I thought I would get a laugh on that".
When he turned to jobs he said that they must be the "number one focus in 2010" and that seemed to be something everyone could agree on.
Obama also said he couldn't accept "second place for the United States of America" and said that it was not fair that America couldn't have the fastest trains or the best industries. He wants safe, clean power plants in the U.S and he wants America to be a leader in clean energy.
The biggest topic seemed to be health care and he acknowledged his wife Michelle for starting a campaign to end childhood obesity. He then quipped "she gets embarrassed".
The New York Times has the full text of the speech, but we have exceprted a few parts here as it's too big to reprint in full here.
One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt. Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression. So we acted – immediately and aggressively. And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed.
We will continue to go through the budget line by line to eliminate programs that we can't afford and don't work. We've already identified $20 billion in savings for next year. To help working families, we will extend our middle-class tax cuts. But at a time of record deficits, we will not continue tax cuts for oil companies, investment fund managers, and those making over $250,000 a year. We just can't afford it.
Abroad, America's greatest source of strength has always been our ideals. The same is true at home. We find unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in our Constitution: the notion that we are all created equal, that no matter who you are or what you look like, if you abide by the law you should be protected by it; that if you adhere to our common values you should be treated no different than anyone else.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (43)
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adelle garver (not verified)at 13:01 on January 28th, 2010
My husband and I are definitely fans of President Obama. Not unconscious fans but fans. There are some things with which we do not agree. He definitely is doing his best to get our country back on track. We are so tired of all the rhetoric by the naysayers. We say like the President did. If you have a better idea tell him or get your ideas and plans out there and be really committed. Jobs are really essential, but the corruption, greed and avarice of the banks, credit card companies and insurance companies has to be put right up there with jobs. They are undermining and causing most of the major problems for middle class America.
We were very proud to be Americans last night as we listened to his address. Thank goodness that he has the fortitude to tell it like it really is. I suppose if you want to put a label on us we are of the working middle class. Actually we are among the real backbone of America. You know what happens when you lose the use of your backbone. Like President Obama stated, everything will fall in on itself. It is time for all these congressmen and senators, sitting in their offices with all their perks and great paying jobs to get with the real issues and stop playing roulette with their constituents lives, homes and actual future existence.
They hide behind their staffs and who make choices about who and what they see. We know because we have tried again and again to reach some of our congressmen and senators. Not to whine but just to actually get heard about the real problems that exist in their areas. Don't they realize that if they don't help middle class America eventually they won't exist either. We wrote to President Obama and granted I am sure that someone on his staff wrote to us, but do you know what we got an answer.
We were also very impressed by the way he gave support to what his wife and his vice president are doing. That shows just how comfortable he is in his own shoes.
GOD BLESS THE PRESIDENT, HIS FAMILY AND GOD BLESS MIDDLE CLASS AMERICA from a Vietnam era veteran and his wife.
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rachel godfrey (not verified)at 16:33 on January 28th, 2010
what was the speach about i need help im doing a extra credit thing for my teacher and im not real big on polotic thingy so ya i didnt watch it i got board so i turned it to somethin else
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tyreesere (not verified)at 17:40 on January 28th, 2010
good
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stacey porkland (not verified)at 17:48 on January 28th, 2010
obama has no need being in office:)
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A K Sharma (not verified)at 23:32 on January 28th, 2010
USA ia a great country and it has great leaders. We wish democracy flourishes in USA, so that it gains strength every where in the world. Let us be careful of China and Russia. USA must come out of recession and the problem of unemployment.
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masunguloat 04:03 on January 29th, 2010
Barack Obama is the best brains in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />America and the world's recent history. Most of the negative comments here are motivated by racism and disbelief to see a black man succeed. Obama is way a better leader than Bush and Reagan and the likes, he is talented, and like he said in his State of the Union address, what the American people need is leadership and not politics. He's providing leadership here. He is taking politics to the basics. He is selfless, look at what he did before he became the president and you will realise that this man's passion and urge to serve the people is genuine. Read his books. People shouldn't be blinded by racism. I hope Americans can open their eyes, then they will see the truth. I urge all Americans to vote this great man into the second term, Not only USA, but the whole world needs him.
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Matt Donovan (not verified)at 08:24 on January 29th, 2010
I just love the fact that the one person who makes the most sense in this entire comment board is the 15 year old. Look, there are a lot of opinions on this board that I could criticize, both for and against Obama. But I'm not going to because criticizing and pointing fingers is why the mess we're in is going to continue for at least another five years if we don't grow up. I'll admit, personally I'm a fan of Obama. Even if I wasn't though there is something people have to realize. Democracy is not a a government in which progress is made very quickly unless somehow you get everyone to agree with something. That is its greatest strength and yet its failing weakness. We take the time to listen to everyone's opinion and try to appease as many people as possible. But while this happens time that could be used taking actions is used for debating. Unfortunately, right now there is a lot more "debating" than action. If you're so against what Obama is doing, than contact your senator or even the republican party with suggestions as to how to improve our situation, or see what their plan is. Hopefully we can get this ball rolling and everyone's priorities on track. But for some comments earlier, whoever you contact, whether democrat or republican, I doubt you'll get a less vague and fluffed up answer the Obama gave in his speech.
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Laydee Brook$ (not verified)at 12:21 on January 29th, 2010
obama is capiable of doing strong things he's capible of taking charge of what's right and knowing whats wrong let him play his president role and do what he wont , and all you white people who dont likes blacks ohwelll get use to it . - Your's truely black American Girl (;
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tc wall (not verified)at 08:49 on January 31st, 2010
So many people are giving Obama a hard time but I think he is doing a hell of a job considering the circumstances. I do believe Bush started this whole mess so let's do a little more finger pointing in the right direction. It's time to get behind our leader and get this country back on the right track.
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justasking (not verified)at 10:05 on February 1st, 2010
For those that say, "It's only been a year, give Obama a chance." Her's the problem, Obama said he would have all of this fixed within a year. The day after his inauguration, he signed an executive order to have Quantanimo closed in a year. More than a year, later it's still open. The stimulas was supposed to prevent unemployment from going over 8%. A year later, it's over 10%. He was going to pass healthcare in a year. Hasn't happened yet. I'm all for "hope and change." I hope things do change. I've been out of work for over a year. He needs to make things happen. He made that promise. But, if or when change doesn't happen, don't blame the "previous administration." He said he would fix it.
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Catybug701 (not verified)at 09:05 on February 8th, 2010
This address was not only vague and stupid, but well, stupid. As president he has not only managed to increase our national debt way into the trillions of dollars, but all of our American Stock is now owned by China. Congressman and Woman are spending their budget money as fast as humanly possible. Nancy Pelosi spends thousands on flower arrangments and botox injections to accuse the CIA of lying. Is anyone else thinking WTF? Nancy Pelosi can't even run again because her percents are so low. President Obama is running this country into the dirt, not even the dirt, into the middle of hell. Soon there won't even be an America it will be American-Chinese territory. Public healthcare is a joke. Over 60% of Americans don't want it, and the people that do are either already taking advantage of the goverment aid or illegal immigrants. That's all that healthcare would help, illegal immigrants and the people out there that take advantage of the welfare system. Helping the Haitian people is an act of love and unity, but when someone (Barack Obama) wants to import Haitian people and give them American jobs, there is something wrong. Well that idea is great, but umm excuse me? Is anyone else thinking of the family member who just got laid off, or recently became unemployed? What jobs is he talking about? Now that idea isn't official but I fear that it may soon be. Why don't we fix America before we go and try to fix everyone else. It just infuriates me about the taxes he is putting on American families. Please don't get me started on taxes.! I live in PA and my electric bill went up 30%! 30%! And that 30% is so PPL can put their name on a field. That's great. Thank you so much. He did keep one promise though, he hasn't touched Americans income tax, just every other one. Electric, phone, etc. It's ridiculous and when will Americans wake up?! I was so angry to find out that 1) I didn't get to vote in the 2008 election and 2) I won't be able to vote in the 2012 election either. I want to get my two sense in, because it seems that I'm one of the few that is actually awake in this country. I'm only 15 and I'm not Democratic or Republican, and it doesn't matter where you come from but if you're going to ruin the place I call home, then you need to deal with me. Glenn Beck and O'Reilly don't make my decisions but they do help keep us informed. Thank you for that. But whether you agree with me or not, I don't care. But do look at the facts and the details of everything he has done. We do need Change, but not his. --Caty
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Keepin it real (not verified)at 15:53 on February 11th, 2010
Some people are just plain FU*kan silly..........SToP being stingy and help. Our LOVELY President Barrack H.Obama is doing what he can in a timly manner....Things dont happen over night so stick your thumbs in your nasty mouth and stop complaing. Did you complaing when bush was in office. SO shut up and let the president drive just as you didi bush ...aka bushy
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casey greer (not verified)at 13:20 on March 2nd, 2010
Do you all love how Obama talked about reducing the National debt and all the wonderful ways he was going to do it and then sign a bill that raised our nations debt celing to 14.3 trillion dollars? Do you get it? Neither do I