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Obama Gives First State of the Union Address
Obama Gives First State of the Union Address - Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 08:05AM EST
Thursday, Jan 28, 2010 @ 08:05am EST
LACKAWANNA COUNTY - President Barack Obama hopes last night's State of the Union Address recaptures some of the momentum he first brought to office.
The President promised more focus on jobs, pointed a finger at republicans and admitted he's inspired doubt among those who trusted him to change Washington D. C.
President Obama said a "deficit of trust" exists between the American people and Washington.
He said he will not change his agenda and going forward, year 2 of his administration needs to put a new focus on jobs.
"People are out of work. They are hurting. They need our help. And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay," declared Obama.
President Obama also defended bailing out banks.
Saying without it 10% unemployment would be worse.
He claims he saved 2-million jobs with his stimulus plan and despite the long recession, the state of the union is sound.
President Obama touched on partisanship, condemning what he called the constant campaign; referring to the beltway that every day is election day.
In Scranton, one man who spoke to us says cooperation in Washington is key to moving the country forward.
"I moved here recently from New Jersey. I was at the border of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. And I saw it from city levels all the way up to the federal government where the two parties absolutely refuse to work together. And the country is at a spot now where we need that unity, where if we don't work together, we're not going to accomplish anything," said Ed Nessman.
The president called the past year one of the most difficult in the nation's history.
He praised the strength and character of the American people.
The president stuck to his guns that big change is needed on health care reform even though there have been some stumbles and setbacks trying to achieve it.
"I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people...Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close."
We spoke to one man who has health insurance through his job, but would like to see the type of government funded insurance currently in existence.
"Yeah, I would love to have the insurance they have. My son's in the Army or Air Force. I have one going in the Army. They have fantastic coverage. That's something I'd like to see everybody have," said Dennis Hoffman of Taylor.
President Obama would like to see movement on health care reform along with jobs.
His goal is to strengthen his political side.
The president's trying to rally democrats, telling them: we still have the largest majority in
decades. Don't run for the hills. | | |
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