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Obama speech focus 'on economy' Obama to stress 'hope and unity'
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama will use his first State of the Union address to outline steps needed to rebuild the US economy, his senior adviser has said. US President Barack Obama is to tell Americans in his first State of the Union address to Congress he has never been more hopeful for the future.
The president will talk about jump-starting private sector job creation and "restoring security for middle class families", David Axelrod said. President Obama will urge politicians to unite to give the American people what they deserve and pledge not to walk away from healthcare reform.
Mr Obama has recently been rattled by a slump in voter confidence and victories for Republicans in three key states. Excerpts released from his speech say he will call for "strict limits" on the influence of lobbyists in Washington.
The president is due to address a joint session of Congress at 2100 (0200 GMT). The president will address a joint session of Congress at 2100 (0200 GMT).
In a statement from the White House, Mr Axelrod said President Obama would also focus on national security and restoring "America's alliances and standing in the world". He will say that because of the American people's "great decency and great strength" he has "never been more hopeful about America's future than I am tonight".
"When the president took office a year ago, he faced an array of historic challenges - an economy in freefall, job losses averaging almost 700,000 a month, a middle class under assault, two wars and badly frayed global alliances, and a staggering $1.3tn budget deficit," he said. He will urge "Democrats and Republicans to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics".
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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2010/01/hope_or_humility_obamas_high_w.html">Read Mark's thoughts in full class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=7299&edition=2"> But he will also say that "by the time I'm finished speaking tonight, more Americans will have lost their health insurance".
"Tonight, the president will address the progress we've made to rescue the economy, rebuild the middle class, and restore our standing and leadership around the world. In addition, he'll outline what's needed to create a new foundation for prosperity and deliver on the change you and all Americans expect and deserve." 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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2010/01/hope_or_humility_obamas_high_w.html">Read Mark's thoughts in full class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=7299&edition=2"> class="" href="8484388">Send us your comments
"Millions will lose it this year. Our deficit will grow. Premiums will go up. Co-pays will go up. Patients will be denied the care they need. Small business owners will continue to drop coverage altogether. I will not walk away from these Americans. And neither should the people in this chamber," he will say.
In an earlier statement from the White House, Mr Obama's senior adviser David Axelrod said the president would outline steps needed to rebuild the US economy
He will talk about jump-starting private sector job creation and "restoring security for middle class families", Mr Axelrod said.
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 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 deficit, says the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington.
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 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 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 its election victory in Massachusetts last week, which has denied the president sufficient Senate votes for a smooth passage of 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 its election victory in Massachusetts last week, which has denied the president sufficient Senate votes for a smooth passage of 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.