How Will Obama Use His State of the Union Speech?

US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech Tuesday. Will he pursue the boldly progressive agenda, including immigration reform and gay rights, he proclaimed after being sworn in?

Published

3 months ago

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US

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United States, US Politics, Politics & Government

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Barack Obama, William Galston

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United States of America

Transcript

SCRIPT: UPSOUND announcement of president's arrival at the House of Representatives chamber: "The president of the United States!" (applause) Every year, before both houses of Congress, cabinet secretaries, and Supreme Court justices -- the three branches of US government united -- the president delivers his State of the Union address. But his most important audience is the American people, who tune in to watch more than at any other moment. UPSOUND Barack Obama (man), president of the United States (English, 4 sec): "...and we've come too far to turn back now..." Last year Barack Obama sounded like a candidate. Last month, in his inaugural address, he sounded more like an activist: UPSOUND Barack Obama (man), US President (English, 7 sec): JAN 21, 2013 "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law..." (applause) On Tuesday, Obama will have to shift gears again, experts say, and put some pragmatism into his progressivism. SOUNDBITE 1 William Galston (man), senior fellow in governance studies, Brookings Institution (English, 20 sec): "He indeed devoted the second inaugural to the progressive cause, and to the progressive coalition that brought him back into office. But now he's going to have to reconcile those expectations with what he can get out of a divided Congress." And pressing domestic reforms await Obama. He must find common ground on economic policy with Republicans -- in order to avoid the dreaded "sequester", an automatic trigger of massive spending cuts due to kick in on March 1. Immigration reform -- now being touted by both political parties -- is also a priority. And then there is the president's promise to use all the influence of his office to curb gun violence, after the Newtown school massacre in December that left 20 young children and 6 adults dead. SOUNDBITE 2 Barack Obama (man), president of the United States (English, 16 sec): "We can't tolerate this anymore. Theses tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change." Obama has already announced dozens of changes -- on gun control, mental health and public safety -- but for the most sweeping ones, he needs Congress to act. And for that, he needs the public's support, the kind that a big speech, broadcast to the nation, can help to deliver. SHOTLIST: WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24, 2012, SOURCE: US POOL *NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes* - VAR 2012 State of the Union address WASHINGTON, JANUARY 21, 2013, SOURCE: US POOL *NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes* - VAR 2013 inaugural address WASHINGTON, JANUARY 21, 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - MS Obamas in limousine during inaugural parade - WS presidential cortege during inaugural parade, with US Capitol Building WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 7, 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - SOUNDBITE William Galston (man), senior fellow in governance studies, Brookings Institution CUTAWAY OVER QUOTE: WASHINGTON, JANUARY 21, 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - Cutaway WS of Obama delivering inaugural address WASHINGTON, JANUARY 21, 2013, SOURCE: US POOL *NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes* - WS crowd at inauguration - Michelle and Barack Obama with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden WASHINGTON, FILE, SOURCE: AFPTV - WS US Capitol Building seen from Freedom Plaza with men in suits in foreground - CU Capitol dome - Two shots of people crossing street in Washington WASHINGTON, JANUARY 26, 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - Protesters marching in front of the US Capitol - CU sign reading Protect Children, Not Guns NEWTOWN, CONNECTICTUT, DECEMBER 145, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of memorial for gun massacre victims in Newtown NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT, DECEMBER 16, 2012, SOURCE: US POOL *NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes* SOUNDBITE 2 Barack Obama (man), president of the United States CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA, 30 DECEMBER, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - MS man looks through sights of a gun - WS outside arms fair - CU on sign reading "you must unload concealed carry guns" WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24, 2012, SOURCE: US POOL *NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes* - VAR 2012 State of the Union address