US President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address on Tuesday Jan 28,2014

US President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday Jan 28,2014 which focussed on -

• US economy
• Government's policy in dealing with terrorism across the globe and 
• plans to deal with the Iran nuclear programme

The polls say that President Barack Obama is at a low point.

Masking the modesty of his proposals in the energy and confidence of his presence, the president launched the pivotal year of his second term with a shrewdly relentless focus on the use of his own power to change policy and convene, shame and inspire other sectors of society.

With the exception of a few minutes on foreign policy –- the core of which was to declare an end of the era of “permanent war” –- Obama zeroed in on proposals to extend the economic recovery to all Americans, not just to Wall Street investors and CEOs.

Highlights of the address

• US economy poised for 'breakthrough' after recession
• Al-Qaeda threat evolving, taking root in new places
• In Ukraine, we stand for the principle that all people have the right to express themselves freely and peacefully, and have a say in their country's future
• Calls on Congress to raise the minimum wage
• After five years of grit and determined effort, the United States is better-positioned for the 21st century than any other nation on Earth
• I believe this can be a breakthrough year for America
• The sanctions that we put in place helped make this opportunity possible. But let me be clear: if this Congress sends me a new sanctions bill now that threatens to derail these talks, I will veto it.
• For the sake of our national security, we must give diplomacy a chance to succeed
• Say yes. Give America a raise. This will help families. It will give businesses customers with more money to spend
• Support a proposed bill that would hike the base rate nearly 40 per cent
• Opportunity is who we are. And the defining project of our generation is to restore that promise
• There are millions of Americans outside Washington who are tired of stale political arguments
• What I offer is a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth
• Let's do more to help the entrepreneurs & small business owners who create most new jobs in America
• America's deficits cut by more than half
• Business leaders say US is No 1 place to invest, not China
• Will take steps without Legislation whenever possible
• Let's make this a year of action
• Let's do more to help entrepreneurs who create most new jobs in America
• Let's get immigration reform done this year
• America does not stand still - and neither will I
• Inequality has deepened. Upward mobility has stalled and too many still aren't working at all
• The United States is better positioned for the 21st century than any other nation on earth
• It's one that champions free markets - and trusts people to make their own decisions, not a government that decides for you
• We have to prepare tomorrow's workforce by guaranteeing every child access to a world-class education
• The fact is, that danger remains and the United States had to remain vigilant in face of changing global threats
• I strongly believe our leadership and our security cannot depend on our military alone
• As commander-in-chief, I have used force when needed to protect the American people, and I will never hesitate to do so as long as I hold this office
• But I will not send our troops into harm's way unless it's truly necessary
• It is American diplomacy, backed by pressure, that has halted the progress of Iran's nuclear program - and rolled parts of that program back - for the very first time in a decade
• With our allies and partners, we're engaged in negotiations to see if we can peacefully achieve a goal we all share: preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon
• Citizenship means standing up for lives that gun violence steals from us each day
• It should be the power of our vote, not the size of our bank account, that should drive our democracy
• We can pursue our individual dreams, but still come together as one American family
• Because of this law, no American can ever again be denied coverage for a preexisting condition
• When I took office, nearly 180,000 Americans were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, all our troops are out of Iraq
• After 2014, we will support a unified Afghanistan as it takes responsibility for its own future
• We won't be safer if people around the world believe we strike their countries without regard for consequences
• American diplomacy, backed by threat of force, is why Syria's chemical weapons are being eliminated
• By year-end, our longest war will finally be over
• America must move off a permanent war footing

 Note

George Washington (1789-1797) delivered the first regular annual message before a joint session of Congress in January 1790 in New York City. 

The tradition of the opening of Parliament dates back to the 14th century, with a 16th century picture showing Henry VIII (1509-1547) addressing peers in state robes

Delivering a speech to Congress dropped out of favour under the presidency of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) who preferred to send a letter.

 The tradition was resurrected by Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) 


Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)speech in 1944 was the first to be broadcast live on the radio

Harry Truman (1945-1953)speech in 1947 was the first to telecast live on television