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Obama to stress 'hope and unity' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
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. | |
President Obama will urge politicians to unite to give the American people what they deserve and pledge not to walk away from healthcare reform. | |
Excerpts released from his speech say he will call for "strict limits" on the influence of lobbyists in Washington. | |
The president will address a joint session of Congress at 2100 (0200 GMT). | |
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". | |
He will urge "Democrats and Republicans to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics". | |
But he will also say that "by the time I'm finished speaking tonight, more Americans will have lost their health insurance". | |
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 power | Republican 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 here | 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 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. |