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Obama set for 'hopeful' address Obama set for 'hopeful' address
(9 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama will outline a "hopeful track" for the year ahead in his first State of the Union address to Congress, his spokesman has said.US President Barack Obama will outline a "hopeful track" for the year ahead in his first State of the Union address to Congress, his spokesman has said.
With unemployment at 10% and a soaring deficit, correspondents say the speech will focus on jobs and the economy.With unemployment at 10% and a soaring deficit, correspondents say the speech will focus on jobs and the economy.
Mr Obama has recently been rattled by a slump in voter confidence and victories for Republicans in three key states.Mr Obama has recently been rattled by a slump in voter confidence and victories for Republicans in three key states.
In a recent BBC/Harris poll, 84% of Americans rated the current state of the union as negative.In a recent BBC/Harris poll, 84% of Americans rated the current state of the union as negative.
Mr Obama is due to address a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives at 2100 local time (0200 GMT).Mr Obama is due to address a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives at 2100 local time (0200 GMT).
His spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president would address "the anger and frustration that Americans are facing about the economy - getting back on track".His spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president would address "the anger and frustration that Americans are facing about the economy - getting back on track".
"The last year is one of the most challenging in our history," Mr Gibbs told MSNBC television, but he said the president was "more hopeful about the future than ever"."The last year is one of the most challenging in our history," Mr Gibbs told MSNBC television, but he said the president was "more hopeful about the future than ever".
Last year Mr Obama's main legislative priority was healthcare reform, but as the bill became mired in Congress and unemployment rose to 10%, it became clear the public was more concerned about job creation and reducing the $1.4tn US deficit, says the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington.Last year Mr Obama's main legislative priority was healthcare reform, but as the bill became mired in Congress and unemployment rose to 10%, it became clear the public was more concerned about job creation and reducing the $1.4tn US deficit, says the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington.
MARDELL'S AMERICA The president probably has to sound regretful that things aren't better and perhaps admit to a few mistakes - but not to too many Read Mark's thoughts in full Send us your commentsMARDELL'S AMERICA The president probably has to sound regretful that things aren't better and perhaps admit to a few mistakes - but not to too many Read Mark's thoughts in full Send us your comments
The deficit is forecast at $1.35tn in 2010, near its highest levels as a percentage of gross domestic product since World War II, figures from the Congressional Budget Office show.The deficit is forecast at $1.35tn in 2010, near its highest levels as a percentage of gross domestic product since World War II, figures from the Congressional Budget Office show.
Mr Obama has indicated that he will call for a three-year limited freeze on domestic spending, but that has outraged liberals in his own party and drawn fire from Republicans who want deeper cuts.Mr Obama has indicated that he will call for a three-year limited freeze on domestic spending, but that has outraged liberals in his own party and drawn fire from Republicans who want deeper cuts.
Republican powerRepublican power
The Republican party will have more power over the agenda this year, thanks to their election victory in Massachusetts last week, which has denied the president sufficient Senate votes for healthcare reform and possibly new laws on emissions reduction too, our correspondent says.The Republican party will have more power over the agenda this year, thanks to their election victory in Massachusetts last week, which has denied the president sufficient Senate votes for healthcare reform and possibly new laws on emissions reduction too, our correspondent says.
This year's State of the Union is a chance for Mr Obama to refocus his presidency and reposition his party with one eye to the Congressional elections in November, he adds.This year's State of the Union is a chance for Mr Obama to refocus his presidency and reposition his party with one eye to the Congressional elections in November, he adds.
Among the other topics expected to feature are immigration reform, cap-and-trade global warming legislation, education reform and rules to rein in Wall Street.Among the other topics expected to feature are immigration reform, cap-and-trade global warming legislation, education reform and rules to rein in Wall Street.
The foreign policy portion of the speech will probably be limited to the US involvement in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.The foreign policy portion of the speech will probably be limited to the US involvement in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Most polls show Mr Obama's popularity hovering around 50% or just below, but his overall approval rating and grades for handling issues like the economy have dropped significantly.Most polls show Mr Obama's popularity hovering around 50% or just below, but his overall approval rating and grades for handling issues like the economy have dropped significantly.
A BBC/Harris poll has found that significant numbers of Americans believe Mr Obama has devoted too little attention to employment (59%), the budget deficit (56%) and the economy (48%).A BBC/Harris poll has found that significant numbers of Americans believe Mr Obama has devoted too little attention to employment (59%), the budget deficit (56%) and the economy (48%).
On the flip side, 44% think he has spent too much time on healthcare reform.On the flip side, 44% think he has spent too much time on healthcare reform.
The majority (51%) want him to focus on the economy during his speech, followed by employment (42%).The majority (51%) want him to focus on the economy during his speech, followed by employment (42%).
READ THE FULL REPORT Opinions of adults in the United States [305.14 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE FULL REPORT Opinions of adults in the United States [305.14 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Opinion on his overall performance is split, with equal numbers (20%) grading his first year performance as an A, a C, and an F.Opinion on his overall performance is split, with equal numbers (20%) grading his first year performance as an A, a C, and an F.
He has proved most popular in the western states and among people aged 35-44, and least popular in the southern states and with those aged 55 and older.He has proved most popular in the western states and among people aged 35-44, and least popular in the southern states and with those aged 55 and older.
The poll was conducted online over two days in January. It surveyed 2,010 adults in the US, adjusting for demographic factors and propensity to be online.The poll was conducted online over two days in January. It surveyed 2,010 adults in the US, adjusting for demographic factors and propensity to be online.
You can watch President Obama's speech live on the BBC News website, as well as on BBC World News.You can watch President Obama's speech live on the BBC News website, as well as on BBC World News.