Washington (CNN) — President Barack Obama delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday. Here are five things to watch for as the president lays out his second-term agenda:
1. Slap and tickle
Sources say the president will point out bipartisan progress on immigration reform but he’ll take it to the GOP on debt and tax reform. Already, Republicans are bracing to play victim.
Tally up the jabs and weigh them against mentions of common ground. That will be an early scorecard for Wednesday-morning quarterbacking.
Obama set to challenge and persuade
2. Wish lists
Expect to forget what the president says. Nothing personal, Mr. President, but State of the Union addresses are notoriously forgotten.
John F. Kennedy was a great orator — quick, what did he say in his State of the Unions? How about Reagan? They’re just not great venues for rhetoric.
Granted, the Monroe Doctrine and the Four Freedoms were both laid out in State of the Unions, but in general they tend to be laundry lists for party policy wishes.
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3. What he doesn’t say
An average of 44 million people have watched Obama deliver previous State of the Union addresses. His aides say a huge audience equals a huge opportunity.
So, will he seize the opportunity to answer his critics and respond to his base on issues including: U.S. use of unmanned drones, the legal rationale for targeting Americans, U.S. policy in Syria, Iran’s nuclear program, and security of U.S. diplomatic posts? On the domestic front, will he address poverty in the United States?
Will any of these controversial issues make the cut?
State of the Union to focus on jobs, wages and the economy
To read the last two to look out for, click here: cnn.com
Article Courtesy of CNN
Picture Courtesy of Getty Images and CNN
LOCAL: Key Things to Look Out For in the President’s State of the Union Address was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
