President Obama's State of the Union Address: Dealing with the 'Deficit of Doubt'

'Right now, I know there are many Americans who aren't sure if they still believe we can change - or at least, that I can deliver it.'

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - President Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address Wednesday evening after one year in office. The speech lasted close to 75 minutes and was interrupted with numerous bursts of applause, most of which came from Democratic members. The text of the Speech was released to news organizations before the delivery. It was fourteen pages long and the President followed the text to the letter.

It was delivered with little of the rhetorical flourish which once characterized candidate Barack Obama. He was measured but comfortable and confident in the moment. Toward the end of his speech he acknowledged the presence of cynicism and disappointment in the American people. He reminded all who were watching and listening:

"I campaigned on the promise of change - change we can believe in, the slogan went. And right now, I know there are many Americans who aren't sure if they still believe we can change - or at least, that I can deliver it."

He spent the major part of a long address on the troubles facing the American economy. It was here where he offered most of his proposals, including a new jobs bill, a small business tax credit and the elimination of capital gains taxes on small business investment. However, it was also in this section of his address where he made claims which will be questioned as the speech is analyzed over the next few days.

He claimed to have cut taxes for 95% of working families. He took credit for creating two million American jobs, attributing them to what he preferred to call the "Recovery Act", usually called the Stimulus Bill. He pledged a series of Middle Class tax relief measures including the doubling of child care tax credits. He also pledges to open up access to a retirement account for all Americans.

He called for an increased American role in the global marketplace noting "I do not accept second place for the United States of America." He called for increased exports and strengthened Trade Relations with key international partners. He called for expanding educational opportunity, proposing a $10,000 tax credit for College tuition and a phase out of the obligation on repaying student loans after twenty years.

In addressing the housing market he made claims which will also become the subject of substantial debate in the "Monday morning quarterbacking" which will follow this address. He claimed that it is his administrations' policies which have shored up the housing market and "allowed millions of Americans to take out more loans."

On health care reform, he urged the members to let "temperatures cool" and then continue with the effort. In a tacit admission that his planned "reform" was stalled, he acknowledged that he took his "share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people."

Finally he invited what will most certainly be a Republican response with this invitation "...if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and stop insurance company abuses, let me know."

After addressing health care he turned to his proposal for the freezing of government spending. This had been the "talking points" topic in the news cycle leading up to the speech. However, the actual presentation was no where near as dramatic as the lead up to it. He indicated that such a freeze "will not take effect until next year, when the economy is stronger."

In an interesting turn of phrase he addressed what he called a "deficit of trust" in America. He acknowledged the serious doubts which exist among the American people concerning how Washington works. He then pledged to open up the process to public scrutiny and end the abuses in lobbying and earmark culture in Washington. This will also provide fodder for much of the punditry over the next week.

During this part of his address he did something I have never seen in a State of the Union Address. He literally lambasted the US Supreme Court for their recent decision concerning Campaign Finance Reform. He did so with the Justices sitting right in front of him. It was somewhat shocking to watch. It was obvious that they were uncomfortable.

In his comments on foreign policy he affirmed America's military and praised the troops. He also pledged to have them all out of Iraq by August. He stated emphatically "...make no mistake: this war is ending and all of our troops are coming home." He called for an end to what is called the "don't ask, don't tell" policy precluding openly active homosexuals and lesbians from serving in the military.

However, it was the end of his speech, when he addressed American values, where some of his characteristic rhetorical flourish began to "kick in." He moved from what had been a methodical presentation of policy proposals to extolling the American character. He affirmed the spirit of a nation with a heart to care for others, so evident in the groundswell of response to the suffering people of Haiti. He ended the speech with these words:

"The spirit that has sustained this nation for more than two centuries lives on in you, its people. We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But a new year has come. A new decade stretches before us. We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment - to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more. Thank you. God Bless You. And God Bless the United States of America"

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