State of the Union Address Sets Tone for President’s Campaign
Last night President Obama delivered his State of the Union address and though this speech was not directly plug his campaign, the programs/plans mentioned are expected to be core components of the President’s reelection efforts. The President made clear aim for middle-class Americans and those who question his strength and leadership. He asserted that the present recession was inherited from the previous administration, but would continue implement policies aimed at improving the economic crisis. He went on to add that Congressional gridlock will not be tolerated, and the President will combat legislative impasses with action, as seen through his recent and controversial recess appointments. However there was little mention of the need to rein in spending, and the subject of a balanced budget was avoided.
Without mentioning him by name, Obama’s speech subtly criticized likely GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney by calling on the wealthiest Americans to pay their share, and level the playing field. Romney responded to the subtle jab arguing, “What he’s proposing is more of the same: more taxes, more spending, and more regulation.” President Obama also touched on his supposed pro-business policies more than once, without directly addressing mounting criticisms that the Administration favors legislation, which purposely stunts and regulates the private sector.
Republican Governor Mitch Daniels (IN) gave the Party rebuttal to the President’s address, which focused on holding the President accountable for the present state of affairs. Daniels asserted, “”He was elected on a promise to fix them, and he cannot claim that the last three years have made things anything but worse.”
