State of the Union Address 2014 BBC News Special

Welcome. Shortly, Obama will tell the world what he wants to

accomplish in the year ahead. But facing some of the lowest approval

ratings since he took office, just how much can he get done?

Welcome to our special coverage of President Obama's State of the Union

address. ? For more on what to expect tonight, I am joined by Ben

Feller, former White House correspondent for the Associated

Press news agency. He is now a media strategist at the consulting firm

Mercury. We're also joined by Linda Yueh, the BBC's chief business

correspondent. Obama is going to his six year of his presidency. Will

this be a big lofty speech of grand ambitions? Absolutely. The president

says he will go around the American Congress. He has limited time to do

what he wants. He is saying to the lawmakers, this is not working

anymore. I have to work on my own. It is tradition for the first lady

to be joined by guests import to read the course of the year. She'll

be joined by some the big is of the Boston bombing, for example. We will

get Obama in a minute. How many people are watching this bit around

the world? In Asia and Europe, they are watching. And the emerging

economies. It is an unusual thing to say. In terms of economic policies,

the US has a huge impact, especially for developing countries, these

economies are tied to the dollar. On the fiscal front, but will be of

interest. People will also be watching top foreign policy. John

Kerry is better, making his way down the aisle to his seat. All of the

Cabinet members are there. Except for one. Whisked off to a secret

location god forbid anything should happen this evening. We have Chuck

Hagel, the Defence Secretary. All are facing the prospect of another

three years in office. What can we get done in this Administration?

Want your go, the President was sworn in after a resounding

campaign. An agenda of climate change, immigration. A new hope in

the second term. The 2013 happened. Nothing went right. They know that.

They are coming forth with optimism not just for the American but global

audience. He will be more modest. The President is trying to secure a

legacy that says this country is on the rebound where if you work hard

you can make it. That is the essential thing. A domestic scene.

-- theme. The perception of America around the world, particularly

emerging economies, where growth is troubled, America is described as

the most exciting emerging economy out there. It must be to see America

from the outside with one perception but inside America, the President is

getting flack with the state of the US economy. Most of the global

economy is not doing well. You are right. I was in Davos. Emerging

economies are in trouble. Turkey and India are putting money into their

borders. The recovery in the US is slow. GDP is the low precrisis

levels. The fiscal impasse is an issue that could read it had a game.

With unemployment, it is 5%. -- rear its head again. If Obama faces a

divided Congress, it adds to the uncertainty that the world's number

one in economy is facing. We should dwell on these pictures. The State

of the Union address is an odd tradition in American politics. You

have the President's rivals, the Republicans. You also see some of

them lined up there, sitting for hours, grabbing their seats, waiting

to shake his hand. It is the quintessential theatre of this town.

Some people in this room desperately want to be there and blown up hours

just for this moment. They love it. -- line up. Some people did not want

to be there. Some outliers do not where they know where they will

stand when the President speaks. Their agendas might conflict with

what their constituents at home are thinking. The president will walk

down the aisle. He's always treated warmly. People paused to get their

photographs taken. It is like a high school prom outing. This is the

scene behind the scene. When he starts talking about agenda, you can

see what happens. - there is a manoeuvring to get into the aisle

seats. There have been waiting for hours.

They are patriotic. There is no discrimination. It will take a long

time to get down there. He makes sure he shakes hands on both sides

of the aisle. This is not a president he likes the... There is

the chief of staff. Joe Biden is turning up next to John Boehner. Joe

Biden and John Boehner will sit during the whole speech, in

passively, looking at the back of the President's had. But Joe Biden

is incapable of being impassive. And they should not not. The water would

not forgive them. -- nod off. There is the ambassador for the UN.

The lady with the long hair. A host of Washington dignitaries. The aisle

looks blocked. The sergeant of arms will announce loudly the arrival of

the President of the US. We will get fair warning. We will not miss that

moment for you. We might see the partisan divide when the President

speaks. When we look at some State of the Union address of the past,

like from George W Bush, there was a rare moment of unity in the country.

It is a different environment after 2001, not just in the ways the

lawmakers were together but with the focus of the country. They were

focused on the economy and get people back to work. You do not see

the national security issue that pulls both sides together anymore.

It is domestically focused. We are expecting a domestically focused

speech. The world is still interested. We should make it

absolutely clear that even if the speech does not address the classic

issues of foreign policy, the world will be interested for the reasons

we mentioned. I think we have the sergeant of arms. We should hear

that in a second. John Boehner looks like he's getting ready to bang his

double the amount arrival. -- gavel. Mr Speaker! The president of the

United States. There he is. The president of the space being

announced by the sergeant of arms. Behind him, members of Congress and

dignitaries as well. Behind him is Harry Reid, the majority leader. The

last division of him. There is the man of the moment, Obama. Saying

hello to his particularly Democratic members of Congress at the moment.

It is interesting. So much similarity. He looks different. The

case at the Cabinet is different. Every year it feels like this is a

presidency that is moving towards the end. It just feels different. It

is moving towards the final stages. And the President is moving towards

Graham Carey days as well. We should have the Senate majority leader

soon. He should be there as well. -- grey hair days.

For Obama, he has how many State of the Union addresses left? Two? Yes.

The challenge is the context that he faces. His approval rating is under

50%. Two thirds think the country is on the wrong track and think the

economy is not doing well. The real problem is more people do not trust

him. They do not think he is a competent leader. He does not fear

problems the way they view problems. It is a reflection of what happened

in 2013. He needs to use the speech to get his major back. He needs the

people back behind him. This is the first time Obama has come to give a

State of the Union address when he has not had personal popularity,

approval ratings among the American people. That affects his agenda.

Yes. His mantra is, I am not going to get what I want from Congress. So

I will go to the people and city leaders and legislatures. That only

works if you have the people behind you. In the American system, big

things get done by passing laws. It'll things get done by executive

order. -- little. We will hear Obama say you are the things over

executive order. This is a realistic president with a smaller agenda.

Obama saying hello to John Boehner and Joe Biden before he addresses

members of Congress. Smaller numbers of American public are watching

this. He still have a lot of people. Members of Congress, I have the high

privilege and honour of presenting to you the president of the United

States. Thank you so much. Thank you! Thank

you. Thank you so much. Mr Speaker, Mr Vice President, members of

Congress, my fellow Americans, today in America are teachers spend extra

time with the student who needed it and did her part to lift America's

graduation rate to its highest level in more than three decades. -- a

teacher. An entrepreneur did her part to add to be more than 8

million new jobs out businesses have created over the past four years.

(APPLAUSE) And auto worker fine tuned some of

the best, most fuel-efficient cars in the world and did his part to

help America weaned itself off foreign imports. We had some of the

strongest farm exports in history. The doctor gave a young child the

first prescription to treat asthma that his mother could afford.

(APPLAUSE) Unmanned took the bus home from the

graveyard shift, bone tired, but dreaming big dreams for his son. In

the tightknit communities all across America, fathers and mothers will

cut in their kids, put an arm around their spouse, remember fallen

comrades and give thanks for being home from a war that, after 12

years, is finally coming to an end. (APPLAUSE)

Tonight, this chamber speaks with one voice to the people we

represent. It is you. Our citizens. Who make the state of our union

strong. (APPLAUSE)

And here are the results of your efforts. The lowest unemployment

rate in over five years, housing market, -- eight rebounding

manufacturing sector, more oil produced, more oil produced at home

than we buy from the rest of the world, the first time that happened

in nearly 20 years. (APPLAUSE)

Our deficits cut by more than half. And, for the first time, for the

first time in over a decade, business leaders around the world

have declared that China is no longer the world's number one place

to invest, America is. (APPLAUSE)

That's why I believe this can be a breakthrough year for America. That

after five years of grid and determination, the United States is

better positioned for the 21st century than any other nation on

earth. -- grit. The question for everyone in this chamber, running

through every decision we make this year, is whether we are going to

help or hinder this progress. For several years now, this town has

been consumed by an argument over the proper size of the federal

government. It's an important debate. One that dates back to our

very founding. But when that debate prevents us from carrying out even

the most basic functions of our democracy, when our differences shut

down government, or threaten the full faith and credit of the United

States, then we are not doing right by the American people.

(APPLAUSE) Now, as President, I am committed to

making Washington work better and rebuilding the trust for the people

who sent us here. I believe most of them, I believe you are as well.

Thanks to the work of Democrats and Republicans, last month Congress

finally produced a budget that undid some of the severe cuts to things

like education. Nobody got everything they wanted. We can still

do more to invest in this country's future while bringing down alt

deficit in a balanced way, but the budget compromise should leave us

free to focus on creating new jobs, not new crises. -- our deficit. And

in the coming months, let's see where else we can make progress

together. Let's make this a year of action. That's what most Americans

want. For all of us. To focus on their lives, their hopes, their

aspirations. And what I believe unites the people of this nation,

regardless of race or region or party, young or old, rich or poor,

is the simple, profound belief in opportunity for all. The notion

that, if you work hard and take responsibility, you can get ahead in

America. (APPLAUSE)

Let's face it, that belief has suffered some serious blows. Over

more than three decades, even before the great recession hit, massive

shift in technology and global competition had eliminated a lot of

good middle-class jobs. And it weakened the economic foundations

that families depend on. Today, after four years of economic growth,

corporate offence and stop rises have really been higher and those at

the top of never done better. -- stock prices. But average wages have

barely budged and equality has deepened. Other mobility has

stalled. Even in the middle of recovery, to many Americans are

working more than ever just to get right, it alone to get ahead. To

many, they still aren't working at all. Our job is to reverse these

trends. It won't happen right away and we won't agree on everything.

But what I offer tonight is a set of concrete, tactical proposals, to

speed up growth, strength in the middle class and build new

opportunities into the middle class. Some require Congressional action

and I'm eager to work with all of you. But America does not stand

still and neither will I. So, wherever and whenever I can take

steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American

families that's what I'm going to do.

(APPLAUSE) As usual, our first lady sets a good

example. (APPLAUSE)

She has partnerships with schools, this is, local leaders and has

helped bring down childhood obesity rates for the first time in 30

years. That's an achievement that will improve lives and reduce

health-care costs for decades. The joining forces aligned that she and

Joe Biden launched has encouraged employers to hire or train nearly

400,000 veterans and military spouses. -- Joining Forces Alliance.

Taking a page from there, the White House just organised a college

opportunity summit at where 150 universities, businesses and

nonprofits have made concrete commitments to reduce inequality and

access to higher education and to help every hard-working kid go to

college and succeed when they get to campus. And across the country, we

are partnering with mayors, governors and state legislatures on

issues from homelessness to marriage equality. The point is, there are

millions of Americans outside of Washington who are tired of stale

political arguments and are moving this country forward. They believe

and I believe that, here in America, our success should depend not on

accident of birth but the strength of our work ethic and the scope of

our dreams. That's what drew out for berries here. That's how the

daughter of the factory worker is the CEO of America's largest

automaker. -- drew our forebearers here. How the son of the Speaker of

the house -- how the son of a barkeeper is Speaker of the house.

(APPLAUSE) How the son of a single mum can be

president of the greatest nation on Earth.

(APPLAUSE) Opportunity is who we are.

The defining project of our generation must be to restore that

promise. We know where to start. The best measure of opportunity is

access to a good job. With the economy picking up speed, companies

say they intend to hire more people this year and over half of big

manufacturers say they are thinking of in sourcing jobs from abroad.

Let's make that decision easier for more companies. Both Democrats and

Republicans have argued that our tax code is riddled with wasteful,

compensated loopholes that punish businesses investing here and reward

companies that keep profits abroad. Let's flip that equation. Let's work

together to close the loopholes and those incentives to ship jobs

overseas and lower tax rates for businesses that create jobs here at

home. (APPLAUSE)

Moreover, we can take the money we save from this transition to create

jobs, rebuilding our roads, upgrading our ports, un-clogging

Alchemy it's. Because in today's economy, first-class jobs gravitate

to first-class infrastructure. We need Congress to protect more than 3

million jobs by finishing transportation and waterways this

summer. That can happen. But I will act on my own to slash bureaucracy

and streamline the process for key projects, so we can get more

construction workers on the job as fast as possible.

We also have the chance, right now, to beat other countries in the race

for the next wave of high-tech and factory jobs. My administration has

launched two hubs for high-tech manufacturing in North Carolina and

Ohio, where we have conducted this is to research university that --

that can help America lead the world in advanced technologies. Tonight,

I'm announcing we will launch six more this year. Bipartisan bills in

both houses could double the number of these hubs and the jobs they

create, so get those bills to my desk! Put more Americans back to

work! (APPLAUSE)

Let's do more to help entrepreneurs and small business owners create

more jobs. Over the past five years, my administration has made more

loans to small business owners than any other. When 98% of our exporters

are small businesses, new trade partnerships with Europe,

Asia-Pacific, will help them create even more jobs. -- the Asia-Pacific.

We need to work together on things like the bipartisan trade authority

to protect our workers, the environment and open new markets to

new goods, stamped made in the USA. China and Europe aren't standing on

the sidelines. Neither should we. We know that the nation that goes all

in on innovation today will own the global economy tomorrow. This is an

edge America cannot surrender. Federally funded research helped

lead to the ideas and inventions behind Google and smartphones.

That's why Congress should I do the damage done by last year's cuts to

basic research, so we can unleash the next great American discovery.

-- Congress should undo. There are entire industries to be

built, based vaccines that stay ahead of the resistant bacteria.

Paperthin material stronger than steel. Let us make businesses focus

on innovation as not on costly litigation. One of the biggest

factors in bringing more jobs back is our commitment to the American

energy. The energy strategy are announced is working. We are closer

to American independence then we have been in decades. One of the

reasons why is natural gas. It extracted safely, it can power the

economy with less carbon pollution. This is planned to invest almost

$100 billion in new factories that is natural gas. We are helping to

have the factories built. This Congress can put people to work by

building filling stations to ship more cars and trucks. My

Administration will keep working with the industry to sustain

production while strengthening the protection of our air, water and

communities. I will use the authority to protect our federal

leader for future generations. -- federal lands. It is not just idle

or natural gas production that is booming, we will come a global

leader in solar energy. American homes and businesses are becoming

solar. These jobs cannot be outsourced. Let's continue that

progress with a better tax policy. We can invest more in heels of the

future. -- fuels. Even as we increase energy

production, we have partners with local communities to reduce the

energy we can seem. When we rescued car makers, we worked with them to

set higher fuel efficiency standards for cars. We build on the success by

setting new standards for trucks so we can keep driving down oil

imports. Take that together, our energy policies are creating jobs

and leading to a favour planet. The US has reduced the total carbon

pollution more than any other nation on earth.

We have to act with more urgency. A changing climate is harming western

communities struggling with drought and coastal cities dealing with

floods. My Administration will work with states and utilities to set the

standards on the amount of pollution the power plants can go into the ad.

The shift into a cleaner energy economy will not happen overnight

and will need tougher toys along the way. The debate is settled. Climate

change is a fact. When our children's children ask if we did

all we could have delivered a world with new sources of energy, I want

them to say, yes, we did. If WoW serious about economic growth, it is

time to cause business leaders, faith leaders, law enforcement and

fix the broken immigration system. Republicans and Democrats in the

Senate and both members of the house want to do the same. Immigration

will shrink deficit by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades and

for good reason. When people come here to fulfil dreams and study,

they contribute to the culture. They make our country more attractive for

businesses and create jobs for everybody. Let's get immigration

reform done. Let's get it done. It is time. The ideas outlined so far

can speed up growth and create jobs. In this rapidly changing economy, we

have to make sure everyone has the skills to fill those jobs. The good

news is, we are going to do it. Two years ago, the car industry came

back. A person opened up a company in Detroit. She needed the best part

is in America. She knew how to make those parts. She just needed the

workforce. She dialled up an American job centre. Places where

folks could walk in to get the training to find a new or better

job. She was flooded with new workers. Today, the company has more

than 700 employees. What she and her employees experienced was how it

should be for every employer and every jobseeker. Tonight, I have

asked Joe Biden to bleed across the board to make sure they have a

mission, train Americans with the skills employers need and mention

them to good jobs admitted the field right now. -- that need to be

filled. That means more training and

apprenticeships to set a worker in an upward trajectory for life. It

means connecting companies to community colleges. If Congress

wants to help, connect will reach work Americans with ready to be

fuelled jobs. I am convinced Americans can return to the

workforce faster by reforming and implement insurance is more

effective in today's economy. We have to restore the insurance that

you let expire for millions of people.

Let me tell you why. This woman is a mother of two young boys. She was

steadily employed since she was a teenager. She put herself through

college. She never collected unemployment benefit but she has

been paying taxes. In May, she and her husband is their life savings to

buy their first home. One week later, budget cuts claimed the job

she loved. Unemployment insurance was cut off. She sent me a letter.

We are the face of the unemployment crisis, she wrote. I am not depended

on the government. Our country depends on people like us to build

careers and contribute to society, caring for our neighbours. I am

confident that I will find a job and pay my taxes and we will raise

children in the communities we love in their own homes. Please give us

this chance. Congress, give these hard-working responsible Americans

that chance. Give them the chance. They need our help right now. This

country need them in the game. I have been asking CEOs to give more

long-term unemployed workers a fair shot at new jobs, and a new chance

to support families. Tonight, I ask every business leader in America to

join us and do the same as we are stronger when America has a full

team. Of course, it is not enough to train today's workforce. We have to

prepare tomorrow's workforce by guaranteeing every child access to

world-class education. One person could not speak a word of English

when he moved to New York City at nine years old. Last month, thanks

to the support of great teachers and an innovative tutoring programme, he

led a march of classmates. From classical to the post office, they

meld of their college applications. -- high school. Now he found out he

is going to college this fall. Five years a go, we wanted to change

the odds for all of our children. We work with lenders to change student

loans. Now more people are earning college degrees than ever before.

With the help of governors in both parties, we have raised expectations

and performance. Teachers and principals from schools are making

big strides in preparing students with the skills of Robyn Sullivan,

critical thinking, science and technology. -- problem-solving. Some

of this change is hard. It requires more challenging curricular, better

support for teachers, new ways to measure how well kids think, not how

well they can fill in a bubble on a test. It is worth it. It is working.

The problem is, we are still not reaching enough kids. We are not

reaching them in time. They have to change. Research shows that one of

the best investments we can make in a child's life is high-quality early

education. Last year, I asked Congress to make

high-quality preschool available to every format year-old. I repeat that

request the night. In the meantime, many states have raised funding

under own. They we cannot wait. This year, we will invest new

partnerships with state and communities are crossed the country

in a race to the top for our youngest children. As Congress

decides what it will do, I will pull together a coalition willing to help

ball kids access high-quality preschool programmes.

Last year, I pledged to connect 99% of students to high-speed

broadband. Tonight, with the support of the FCC and with Apple and

Microsoft and Verizon, we got a down payment to connect more than 15,000

schools and 20 million students over the next two years without adding a

dime to the deficit. We are working to redesign high schools and partner

them with colleges and in employers. We are taking up our system of

higher education to give colleges or incentive to offer better value. No

milk -- middle class kid is left out. I want to work with Congress to

see how can help more who feel trapped by student loans.

I'm reaching out to some of America's leading foundations and

corporations on a new initiative to help more young men, of colour, to

reach their full potential. The bottom line is, Michelle and I want

every child to have the same chance this country gave us. We know our

opportunity agenda won't be complete and too many young people entering

the workforce today will see the American dream as an empty promise,

unless we do more to make sure the economy on is the dignity of work.

And hard work pays off for every single American. Today, women make

up about half our workforce. But they still make 77 cents for every

dollar a man earns. That's wrong. In 2014, it an embarrassment. Women

deserve equal pay for equal work! (APPLAUSE)

She deserves to have a baby without sacrificing her job. Other deserves

day off to care for a sick child or a sick parent, without running into

hardship. And a father does as well. It's time to do away with workplace

policies that belong in a Madmen episode. Less all come together,

Congress, White House, this is, to give every woman the opportunity she

deserves because I believe when women succeed America succeeds. --

let's all come together. Women hold a majority of low-wage

jobs. But they are not the only ones stifled by stagnant wages. Americans

understand that some people will earn more money than others and we

don't resent those, who by virtue of their efforts, achieved incredible

success. That's what America is about. But Americans overwhelmingly

agree that no one who works full time should ever have to raise a

family in poverty. In the years since I ask the

Congress to raise the minimum wage, five states have passed laws to

raise fares. Many businesses have done it on their own. Nick is here

today with his boss. John is an owner of a pizza shop in

Minneapolis. Nick helps to make the dough. Only now he makes more of it.

John just gave his employees are raised to $10 an hour and that's a

decision that has eased their financial stress and their morale.

Tonight, I ask more of America's business leaders to follow John's

lead. Do what you can to raise your employee's wagers. -- emploees'

wages. It's good for the economy, it's good for America. To every

mayor, governor, state legislator in America, I say, you don't have to

wait for Congress to act. Americans will support you if you take this

on. And, as the chief executive, I intend to lead by example.

Profitable corporations see higher wages as the smart way to boost

productivity and reduced turnover. We should too. In the coming weeks,

I will issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay

their federally funded employees a fair wage of at least $10.10 an

hour. If you cook food or wash dishes, you should not have too big

in poverty! -- have to live. Of course, to reach millions more,

Congress does need to get onboard. Today, the federal minimum wage is

worth about 20% less and it was when Ronald Reagan first stood here.

There's a bill to fix that, to lift the minimum wage to $10.10. It easy

to remember. This will help families, it will give businesses

customers with more money to spend, it does not involve any new

bureaucratic programme. So, join the rest of the country. Say yes. Give

America a raise. Give them a raise! There are other steps we can take to

help families make ends meet and few are more effective in reducing

inequality and helping families pull themselves up to hard work than the

earned income tax credit. Right now, it helps about half of all parents

at some point. Think about that. It helps about half of all parents in

America at some point in their lives. That I agree with some

Republicans, it doesn't do enough for single workers who don't have

kids. -- but I agree. Let's work together to strengthen the credit,

help more Americans get ahead. Let's do more to help Americans save for

retirement. Today, most workers don't have a pension. The Social

Security cheque often isn't enough on its own. While the stock market

has doubled over the past five years, that doesn't help all folks.

Tomorrow, I will direct the Treasury to create a new way for working

Americans to start their own retirement savings. It's a new

saving that encourages folks to build a nest in. It guarantees a

decent return, with no risk of losing what you put in. If this

Congress wants to help, work with me to help upside down tax code that

gives the tax breaks to help the wealthy save but does little or

nothing for middle-class Americans. Offer every American access to an

automatic IRA on the job, so they can say that works just like

everybody else. Since the most important investment many families

make it their home, send me a legislation that protects taxpayers

from footing the bill for a housing crisis ever again and keep the dream

of homeownership alive for future generations.

One last point on financial security. For decades, few things

exposed hard-working families to economic hardship more than a broken

healthcare system. In case you haven't heard, we are in the process

of fixing that. A pre-existing condition used to mean that someone

like Amanda, a physician's assistant and single mum from Arizona,

couldn't get help insurance. But on the 1st of January, she got cover.

(APPLAUSE) On January the 3rd, she fell to

sharp pain. On January the 6th, she had

emergency surgery. Just one week early, that surgery would have meant

bankruptcy. That's what health insurance reform is all about. The

peace of mind that if misfortune strikes, you don't have to lose

everything. Already, because of the affordable care act, more than 3

million Americans under age 26 have gained coverage. More than 9 million

Americans have signed up for private health insurance or Medicaid

coverage. 9 million! And here is another number. Zero. Because of

this law, no American, none, zero, can ever be dropped or denied

coverage for a pre-existing condition like asthma or cancer.

No woman can ever be charged more just because she is a woman. And we

did all this while adding years to Medicaid's finances, keeping

Medicare premiums flat and lowering prescription costs for millions. --

Medicare's finances. I don't expect to convince my Republican friends on

the merits of this law. But, I note that the American people are not

interested in refighting all battles. Again, if you have specific

plans to cut costs, cover more people, increased choice, tell

America what you would do differently. Let's see if the

numbers add up. But let's not have another fortysomething votes to

repeal the law that is already helping millions of people are

America. -- 40 something. The first 40 were plenty. We all owe

it to the American people to say what we are for. Not what we are

against. If you want to know the real impact, just talk to the

governor of Kentucky, who is here tonight. Kentucky is not the most

liberal part of the country. That's not where I got my vote totals. But

he is like a man possessed when it comes to covering his

Commonwealth's families. Our neighbours and our friends, he

said. The people we shop and go to church with. Farmers out of the

tractor. Grocery quirks. The people who go to work every morning,

claiming they do get sick. -- grocery clerks. Nobody deserves to

live that way. He is right. That's why, tonight, I ask every American

who knows someone without health insurance to help them get covered

by March 31. Help them get covered. Mothers, get on your kids to sign

up. Kids, walk your mums through the application. That will give them

peace of mind. After all, that's the spirit that

has always moved this nation forward. The spirit of citizenship.

The recognition that, through hard work and responsibility, we can

pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American

family, to make sure the next generation can pursue it streams as

well. Citizenship means standing up for everyone's right to vote.

(APPLAUSE) Last year, part of the voting rights

act was weakened but conservative Republicans and Liberal Democrats

are working together to strengthen it. The bipartisan commission I

appointed, chaired by my campaign lawyer and Mitt Romney's campaign

lawyer, came together and offered reforms so that no one has to wait

more than half an hour to vote. Let's support these efforts. It

should be the power of our vote, not the size of our bank accounts, that

drives our democracy. Citizenship means standing up for

the lives that can violence steals from us each day. I have seen the

courage of parents, students, pastors, police officers all over

this country, who say, we are not afraid. And I intend to keep trying,

with or without Congress, to help stop more tragedies from visiting

innocent Americans in our movie theatres, and shopping mauls, or our

schools like Sandy Hook Elementary. -- shopping malls.

Citizenship commands a sense of common purpose. Participation in the

hard work of self-government, an obligation to serve our communities.

I know this chamber agrees that few Americans give more to their country

than our diplomats and the men and women of the US armed forces.

Tonight, because the extraordinary troops and civilians lay down their

lives to keep us free, the US is more secure. When I took office,

180,000 Americans were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, all our

troops are out of Iraq, more than 60,000 of our troops have come home

from Afghanistan, with Afghan forces now in the league for their own

security, our troops have moved to a support role. We will complete our

mission there by the end of this year, and America's longest war will

finally be over. After 2014, we will support a

unified Afghanistan, as it takes responsibility for its own future.

If the Afghan government signs a security agreement that we have

negotiated, a small force of Americans could remain in

Afghanistan with NATO allies to carry out two missions. Training

Afghan forces, and counter-terrorism forces to pursue remnants of Al

Qaeda. While our relationship with Afghanistan will change, one thing

will not. Our resolve that terrorists do not launch attacks

against our country. The fact is, that danger remains. While we have

put Al Qaeda's leadership on a path to defeat, the threat has

dissolved, as other terrorist groups take root in other parts of the

world. We have to keep working with partners to disrupt and disable

those networks. Syria will support the opposition that reject the

agenda of terrorist networks. Here at home, we will keep strengthening

our defences and combat new threats like cyber attacks. As we reform our

defence budget, we will have to keep faith with our men and women in

uniform and invest in the capabilities they need to succeed in

future missions. We have to remain vigilant. I

strongly believe our leadership and our security cannot depend on our

outstanding 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 harms way unless it is truly necessary, nor will I allow

our sons and daughters to be mired in open-ended conflict. We must

fight the battles that need to be fought, not those that terrorists

prefer from us. Large-scale deployments that drain our

strength, and may ultimately feed extremism. So, even as we actively

and aggressively pursue terrorist networks through more targeted

efforts and through building the capacity of our foreign partners,

America must move off a permanent war footing. That is why I have

imposed limits on the use of drones, because we will not be safer if

people abroad believe we strike within their countries without

regard from their consequence. -- regard for the consequence. I will

reform our surveillance programmes, because the vital work of the

intelligence community depends on public confidence, here and abroad.

The privacy of ordinary people is not being violated. With the Afghan

war ending, this needs to be the yield Congress lifts... And closes

Guantanamo Bay. We must set an example for the rest of the world.

In a world of complex threats, our security, our leadership, depends on

all elements of our power. Including strong and principled diplomacy.

American diplomacy has rallied more than 50 countries to prevent nuclear

materials from falling into the wrong hands, and allowed us to

reduce our own reliance on Cold War stockpiles. American diplomacy,

backed by the threat of force, is why Syria's chemical weapons are

being eliminated. And we will continue to work with the

international community to usher in the future that the Syrian people

deserve, one free of dictatorship, terror and fear. As we speak,

American diplomacy is supporting Israelis and Palestinians as they

engage in the difficult but necessary talks to end the conflict

there. To achieve dignity, and an independent state for Palestinians,

and lasting peace and security for the state of Israel, a Jewish state

that knows America will always be at their side.

It is American diplomacy, backed by pressure, that has halted the

progress of Iran's nuclear programme, and rolled back parts of

that programme, for the very first time in a decade. As we gather here

tonight, Iran has begun to eliminate its stockpile of higher levels of

enriched uranium. It is not installing advanced centrifuges.

Unprecedented inspections help the world verify every day that Iran is

not a linear bomb -- -- building a bomb. We are trying to peacefully

achieve their goal with all share, preventing Iran from obtaining a

nuclear weapon. These negotiations will be

difficult. They may not succeed. We are clear eyed about Iran's support

for organisations like Hezbollah, which threatens our allies, and we

are clear about the mistrust between our nations. Mistrust that cannot be

wished away. These negotiations don't rely on trust. Any long-term

deal we agree to must be based on verifiable action that convinces us,

and the international community, that Iran is not building a nuclear

bomb. If John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan could negotiate with the

Soviet Union, then surely a strong and confident America can negotiate

with less powerful adverse -- adversaries today. The sanctions

that we put in place help make this opportunity possible. Let me be

clear. In -- if this Congress since the 80 bill today that threatens

these conclusions, I will veto it. We must give diplomacy a chance to

succeed. If Iran's leaders do not seize this opportunity, then I will

be the first to call for more sanctions, and stand ready to

exercise all options to make sure Iran does not build a nuclear

weapon. But, if Iran's leaders to seize the chance, then we will know

soon enough, Iran could take an important step to join the community

of nations, and we will have resolved one of the leading security

challenges of our time without the risk of war. Finally, let's remember

that our leadership is defined not just by our defence against threats,

but by the enormous opportunities to do good and promote understanding

around the globe. To forge greater co-operation, to expand new

markets, to free people from fear and want. And no one is in a better

position to take advantage of those opportunities than America. Our

alliance with Europe remains the strongest world has ever known. From

Tunisia to Burma, we are supporting those who were willing to do the

hard work of supporting democracy. In Ukraine, we stand for the

principle that all people have the right to express themselves freely

and peacefully, and to have a say in the country's future. Across

Africa, we are bringing together businesses and governments to double

access to electricity and help and extreme poverty. In the Americas we

are building new ties of commerce, but we are also expanding cultural

and educational exchanges between young people. We will continue to

focus on the Asia-Pacific, where we support our allies, shape the future

of greater security and prosperity, and extend a hand to those

devastated by disaster. As we did in the Philippines, when our Marines

and civilians rushed to aid those battered by the typhoon, and who

were greeted with words like, we will never forget your kindness, and

God bless America. We do these things because they help promote our

long-term security. And we do them because we believe in the inherent

dignity and equality of every human being, regardless of race or

religion, creed or sexual orientation. Next week, the world

will see one expression of that permit and, when teen USA March as

the red white and blue into the Olympic Stadium and brings home the

goal. -- team USA. -- gold. My fellow Americans, no other

country in the world does what we do. On every issue, the world turns

to us. Not simply because the size of our economy Ora military might,

but because the ideals we stand for and the burdens we bear to advance

them -- or our. No one knows this better than those who served in

uniform. As this time of war draws to a close, a new generation of

heroes returns to civilian life. We will keep slashing that backlog so

our veterans receive the benefits they have earned, and our wounded

warriors receive their healthcare, including the mental healthcare,

that they need. We will keep working to help all our

veterans translate their skills and leadership into jobs here at home,

and we will continue to join forces to honour and respect our remarkable

military families. Let me tell you about one of those families have

come to know. I first met Corey at Omaha Beach on the 56th anniversary

of D-Day, along with some of fellow ranges. He walked me through the

programme and the ceremony. He was a strong, impressive young man, with

an easy manner sharp as a tack. I told them to stay in touch. A few

months later, on his 10th deployment, he was nearly killed by

a massive roadside bomb in Afghanistan. His comrades found him

in a canal, face down, underwater, shrapnel in his brain. For months,

he lay in a coma. The next time I met him, in the hospital, he

couldn't speak. He could barely move. Over the years, he has endured

dozens of surgeries and procedures. Hours of gruelling rehab everyday.

Even now, he still blind in eye. He still struggles on his left side,

but slowly, steadily, with the support of caregivers like his

father and the community around him, he has grown stronger. Day by day he

has learned to speak again, and stand again, and walk again, and

he's walking towards the day where he can serve his country again. My

recovery has not been easy, he says. Nothing in life that is worth

anything is easy. Glory is here tonight. Like the army

he loves, like the American he serves, he never gives up and he

does not quit. -- Corey. My fellow Americans, men and women

like Corey remind us that America has never come easy. Our freedom,

our democracy, it has never been easy. Sometimes we stumble. We make

mistakes. We get frustrated, we get discouraged. But for more than 200

years we have put those things aside and placed our collective shoulder

to the wheel of progress, to create and build and expand the

possibilities of individual achievement, to free other nations

from tyranny and fear, to promote justice and fairness and equality

under the law, so that the words set to paper by our founders are real.

The American we want for our kids, and America where honest work is

plentiful, where prosperity is widely shared, and opportunity for

all that's as far as our dreams and toil will take us, none of it is

easy. But if we work together, if we summon what is best in us, in the

way that Corey summoned what was best in him, without feet planted

firmly in today but with our eyes cast towards tomorrow, I know it is

within our reach. Leave it. God bless you. And God bless of the

United States of America. President Obama at the end of his

fifth state of the union address. He spoke about an hour. A largely

domestic economy focused state of the union address in which he

promised to do what he can, with or without Congress, to improve the

welfare of middle-class Americans through executive orders. In

addressing foreign policy, a shorter section at the end of the state of

the union address, he defied Congress to send him any new

sanctions bills on Iran while diplomacy is ongoing and said he

would veto them if he got them. It was a largely economy focused

speech. I have the BBC's chief business correspondent and the White

House correspondent who were listening to the speech with me. It

is always interesting to ask for instant reactions. You get your

clearest impressions before we have gone through the press's reaction to

it. What you make of it? I am struck by how much he talked past Congress

and address the people. He did it diplomatically. He tried to stay

optimistic. It was an attempt to go to the American people and say that

his relationship to Congress is not working, so he will work with the

people and try to get things that they care about working. The

real-life concerns of America. He is not going to have much help on that

from Congress. He will have to do it on his own. That leads up to his

overarching legacy thing, it is a country on the rebound, you can make

it if you try. You had to look for the big idea. It was lacking that

big moment. It came at the end with the army ranger who was injured.

That was the moving moment that the speech is a country on the rebound,

you can make it if you try. You had to look for the big idea. It was

lacking that big moment. It came at the end with the army ranger who was

injured. That was the moving moment that the speeches sometimes

sometimes hard. What did he suggest in terms of policy that might affect

the growth trajectory of the US economy? One was the minimum wage,

we had expected that. He is unilaterally going to raise the

minimum wage for federal workers new contracts and it renegotiated

contracts. It is a hefty rise. It echoes the theme that he is saying

to the Congress, the economy is picking up and becoming robust, if

you will not help, I will distance myself from you and I am going to

act. I will make sure that the janitors are not in poverty. The

second thing that is interesting is a new savings bond that will be

federally that for those who do not have access to pensions. There is

not a lot of detail behind this. It could make a difference. Obviously

pensions and savings is a huge part of the security that all the

Americans need. Thirdly, the only concrete number I saw was on

immigration, where he said that immigration reform could help cut

the deficit over the next 20 years. That is a very long time. He has

been adding to the deficit by about $1 trillion each year for the last

four years. He wants to raise wages, improve standards of living, and

reform immigration, which could be one of the legacy centrepieces of

his tenure. Those are some of the pragmatic things. One thing I

noticed watching, to your member Hillary Clinton ran against him in

the primary 's and she quoted a format New York Governor who said

that when you campaign utility and poetry, but in government you pros.

I thought this was very much in prose. He leaves Congress saying

that he will work with or without them. He will pick up the phone to

perhaps, work with companies. To help get kids access to broadband on

the Internet. He will use his pen to sign the executive orders. The

reality is, as he leaves Capitol Hill now to go back to the White

House, what he can do without Congress, without passing

legislation, is pretty small. Even the minimum wage, the estimates are

that the hike he has proposed is going to affect less than half a

million American workers. We are tinkering around the edges. Isn't it

interesting, the sloganeering here. He will use his pen and his phone.

We are long way from the audacity of Hope. Presumably the president of

the United States had a pen and a phone in the first five years. He

has used executive action before. It is not just an attempt to be in the

face of Congress when he says he is time to send a message to the

American people, he is saying he is relevant and has three years left.

The opposition in the house is not going away and may get strengthened

in mid-term elections. He is still president and he will do the

things. The issue about connecting schools to the Internet. If Bill

Clinton gave a speech, that is the quintessential small bolving. He

mentioned long-term savings. An equal days work for women. All of

these things matter to the American people. Car efficiency and

transportation projects... The president leaving Congress to go

back to the White House. These matter to the American people. He

needs to be selective. When I speak to business people around America

what they say is they want tax reform and reform. They may get some

immigration reform, the Republicans have a vested interest. He raised

tax reform tonight. Those presumably would be the big things that the

American economy could do to boost growth not just here but globally as

well. It is hard to see how you can do that without Congress. Those are

some of the reasons why he is putting those issues out there. It

is almost a challenge to Congress. That if they do not help with

reforms and restoring unemployment insurance, that has just expired

fall 1 million people, he cannot do that without Congress, cap student

loans... Those are the kinds of things he needs Congress to work

with him on. It is almost like a checklist. If Congress does not do

this he can point to it and say that he put out practical proposals and

they did not come on board. And during the midterms, please American

public, remember that. The interesting subtext is that there is

a small glimmer of hope within the White House that there is an element

of change within the Republican Party. The government shutdown was a

debacle. The rankings of Congress are shabby clothes. They have to go

to constituents and show some action. There might be a window for

immigration reform. That is their big lift for this year. They do not

want to talk about it yet. That is the background glimmer. It will be

interesting to see when we get the Republican response. There will be

three responses, from a rather divided party. It will be

interesting to see what she says about working with the president of

some of these issues. Foreign policy was not a large part of the speech.

It is a interesting things on a run. That was the part that stood out to

me. A vocal veto threat. He is trying to keep together this peace

process with Iran. If you slow down enrichment of uranium, we are trying

to keep you from building a nuclear bomb, we, the international

community, will ease sanctions. There is a deep sentiment that they

are going to far and Congress wants to add sanctions. He is said that he

will veto it if it is put on his desk. It led to an uneven murmur of

a response during the speech. There were elements of the speech that

stood out because they got slight mention. Syria was one of those. It

was only a few months ago we were on the brink of strikes there. That got

very little mention. He said he wanted to" on a pay. -- to close

Guantanamo Bay. He said let this be the year that it is done. There is

no sign that Congress is relenting. The overarching message to the world

is that we are building up our economy We had the words, American

diplomacy, and the message of the speech is that if you are expecting

American intervention anywhere in the world, don't hold your breath.

Imagine the partnership with Europe, and at one with Asia, of a

multi- lateral nature. He was saying, let's not derail something

which has taken a very long time to get to, which is the first murmurs

of an agreement with Iran. There have been times, and I'm thinking of

the moment during his pledge of the union speech a couple of years ago,

when he mentioned China, it was known as the Sputnik moment. China

hardly mentioned in this speech. We are going to go to Capitol Hill,

where we are joined by congressman Luke Messer from Indiana. What is

your reaction to the address tonight? The president always gives

a great speech, that is one of his biggest talents. I am terribly

sorry, I'm going to be rude, and I will happily corruptive, because

your colleague has just started with the Republican response.

A girl who worked at the McDonald's drive-through to pay for college can

be with you in the US capital. The most important moments right now and

happening here. They are not in the Oval Office, or in the house

chamber. They are in your homes, kissing your kids good night,

figuring out how to pay the bills, getting ready for tomorrow's doctors

visit. Waiting to hear from those you love serving in Afghanistan or

searching for that the job interview. After all, we the people

have been the foundation of America since her release days, people from

all walks of life, and from all corners of the world. People who

come to America because here, no challenges to great, and no dream

too big. That is the genius of America. Tonight, the president made

more promises that sound good, but they won't actually solve the

problems facing Americans. We want you to have a better life, the

President wants that as well. But we part ways when it comes to how to

make that happen. So, tonight, I would like to share a more hopeful

republican vision, one that empowers you, not the government. One that

champions free markets and trust people to make their own decisions,

not a government that decides for you. It helps working families rise

above the limits of poverty, and protects our most vulnerable. It is

one where Washington plays by the same rules that you do. It is a

vision that is fair and offers the promise of a better future for every

American. If you have told me it's a little girl but I would one day put

my hand on the Bible and be sworn in as the 200th woman to serve in the

House of Representatives, I wouldn't have thought it possible. I grew up

working on my family's orchard and fruit stand in a small town in

eastern Washington, getting up before dawn with my brother to pick

apples. My father drove 80 school bus, and my mother worked as a

bookkeeper. They taught me to work hard, help others and will we stream

for more. When I showed my animals at the County fair, my parents would

say to me, you need to save this money so you can go to college one

day. And so I did. I saved, I worked hard, and I became the first in my

family to graduate from college. The chance to go from my Washington to

this one was unexpected. I came to Congress to help empower people, not

politicians. The working middle class, not the government. And, to

ensure that everyone in this country can find a job. Because, a job is so

much more than a pay cheque. It gives us purpose and dignity, and

the foundation to build the future. I was single when I was elected, but

it wasn't long before I met Ryan, a retired navy commander, and now we

have three beautiful children. One, who was born just eight weeks ago.

Like all parents, we have high hopes and dreams are children, but we know

what it is like to face challenges for our children. Three days after

our son was born, we got news no parent expects. He was diagnosed

with down syndrome. The doctors told us he could have endless

convocations, heart defects, even early Alzheimer's. They told us all

the problems. But we looked at our son, and we saw only possibilities.

We saw a gift from God. And today, we see a six-year-old boy who dances

to Bruce Springsteen, who the region above grade level, and who is the

best league brother in the world. We see all the things he can do, not

the things he can't. And he and his sisters have made me more determined

to see the potential in every human life, but whether we are born with

an extra 21st chromosome, or without a dollar to our name, we are not

defined by our limits, but by our potential. Because our mission, not

only as Republicans, but as Americans, is to once again ensure

that we are not bound by where we come from, but empowered by what we

can become. That is the gap Republicans are working to close. It

is a gap we all face, between where you are and where you want to be.

The President talks a lot about income inequality. The real gap we

face today is 1-off opportunity inequality, and with this

administration's policies that gap has become far too wide. We see it

growing every single day. We see it in our neighbours who are struggling

to find jobs, a husband who is now working just part-time. The child

who drops out of college because she can't afford tuition, or a parent

who is outliving their life savings. Last month, more Americans stopped

looking for a job then found one. Too many people are falling further

and further behind, because right now the President's policies are

making people's lives harder. Republicans have plans to close the

gap. Plans that will focus on jobs first, without more spending,

government bailouts, and red tape. Everyday we are working expand our

economy. We have plans to improve our education and training systems

so you have the choice to determine where your kids go to school. So

college is affordable and skills training is modernised. Yes, it is

time to honour our history of legal immigration. We are working in a

step-by-step solution to immigration reform, by first securing our

borders and making sure America will always attract the best, brightest

and hardest working from around the world. And with too many Americans

living pay cheque to pay cheque, we have solutions to help you take home

more shall pay through lower taxes, cheaper energy costs, and affordable

healthcare. Not long ago I got a letter from Bedi in Spokane -- 80.

She hoped the healthcare law would save her money, but she found that

her premiums were going up nearly $700 a month. We have all talked to

too many people who have received cancellation notices they didn't

expect. They can no longer see the doctors they always have. No. We

shouldn't go back to the way things were, but this law is not working.

Republicans believe healthcare choices should be yours, not the

government's. Whether you are a boy with down syndrome or a woman with

breast cancer you can find coverage and a doctor who will treat you. We

have the President will join us in a year off real action, by empowering

people, not by making their lives harder with unprecedented spending,

higher taxes and fewer jobs, as Republicans weird sense these plans

every day. We believe in a government that trust people and

doesn't limit where you finish because of where you started. That

is what we stand for. For an America that is every bit as compassionate

as it is exceptional. If we are successful, years from now our

children will say that we rebuilt the American dream, we built are

working America that could take on the world. Our children should be

able to say that we closed the gap. Our plan is one that dream speak for

everyone, and turns its back on the one. The President said many things

tonight, but now I ask him to listen to you. For the true state of the

union lies in your heart and in your home. Tomorrow, I will watch my son

get on the school bus. Others will wait in the doctors office or

interview for that first job. Some of us will celebrate new beginnings,

and others will face great challenges. All of us will wake up

and do what is uniquely American. We will look forward to the potential

that lies ahead. We will give thanks to the brave men and women who have

answered America's called freedom, like a sergeant from Spokane who

recently gave his life to protect all of ours. Tonight, simply offer a

prayer. A prayer for his family, for your family, and free larger

American family, that with the guidance of God we may prove

ourselves worthy of his blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of

happiness. We are each doing our part to form a more perfect union.

May god guide you and our president, and may he continue to bless the

US. That was the Republican party's response to the President's address.

We are going to go back to Capitol Hill, and to Luke Messer.

Your colleague was saying that she hopes the President will work with

Republicans to improve the state of the economy. Are you prepared to

work with President Obama to get any of the things done that he said

tonight? I think there are opportunities for common ground.

Before Cathy came on, you asked for my reaction, and I was telling you

the President gives a great speech, and I welcome his celebration of the

American dream. It is something we take as a given in America. I was

raised by a single parent, and my mother still works in a factory in

my small town where I grew up. I think the President highlighted a

very real issue. No one in America should work full-time job and live

in poverty, and we need to work on the policies will help make that

true in our country. The problem when you take the President's

speech, is it is a lot of the same old ideas from the President. More

government, more taxes, more spending, more debt. Those are the

keys for an American future. We need a growing economy that helps create

jobs and grow opportunity. What about this issue of income

inequality, and the plea to Congress to help him work to raise the

minimum wage in America. It is something for which there is

bipartisan support in this country. Is it something that you would

support? Raising the minimum wage? I think the details matter, but I

think there are plans where we could raise the minimum wage. And,

allowing people to earn income tax credits to help those in poverty. We

need to be careful we don't end up hurting immigrants, and graduates,

Pike unnecessarily inflating the wait. I think the problem in America

is not so much inequality, but as Margaret Thatcher once said, someone

on the left would rather that the poor before as long as the rich were

less rich as well. The real problem is America is that we have wage

stagnation. The purchasing power of the average American has declined by

thousands of dollars. We need to work on making sure Americans have

more purchasing power with their dollar. Thank you for joining me,

and thank you for bearing with me as we so rudely had to break away from

you. We are going to break away from Washington for a moment. I would

like to thank my guests. Linda who has been joining asks, over here

from Asia. It has been a pleasure having it in the studio. Thank you

very much. For the moment, we will take a break from Washington, after

the President has given his state of the union address. I will be back

with you shortly. Thank you very much indeed.

Letters gets more reaction. Let us get another perspective. -- let us

get some more. The director of the San Francisco

foodbank. You're watching the speech. The President was trying to

talk past Congress to the American people. Did he speak to you? He did.

Especially when he talked about prosperity widely shared. That

embodies the idea of income equality. He talked about a country

which is on the rebound, we can make it if we try, was the sensible out.

There was a lot that is rebounding. -- the sense of that. Unfortunately,

people at the bottom of the income earning scale do not prosper. They

do not have savings that go up when the stock market goes up. They do

not have a home that appreciates in value. Social mobility is worse in

the US than in many comparable economies. The gap between rich and

poor is still widening. It is way out of line with economies that we

would probably like to compare ourselves with. In San Francisco, I

run an organisation that provides food for food pantries. We routinely

see families who have working individuals come to get food

assistance. The President does tend to conflate income inequality with

mobility. There was nothing in that speech about reining in tax breaks

or entitlements that benefit wealthy people most. Probably too little

about how to help people at the bottom of the income scale have

enough money to save, have enough to put food on the table that we call

that month. The people coming into your food bank, will they feel any

better? Everybody feels better when you talk about raising the minimum

wage and making people prosper. Talk needs to translate into action.

Increasing the minimum wage is terrific. We need to remember that

minimum weight is not equal everywhere. We have significantly

different costs of living around the States. We need some sort of index,

so that somebody earning a minimum weight in one place has the same

buying power as someone earning minimum wage in another place. There

was much talk of eight President trying to gain momentum with this

speech. -- a president. Signs are that the whole country is fed up

with everybody in Washington. IPhone the President's speech is uplifting

and empowering. -- I find. He wants people to succeed. It needs to

translate into policies. It needs more people than the President in

Washington to make those policies work and put them into place. Paul,

thank you very much indeed for talking to us.

In case you just joined us, even if you have just watched the whole

speech. Letters remind you of the important parts. -- let us. Our job

is to reverse the strands. It will not happen right away and we will

not agree on everything. What I offer is a set of concrete,

practical proposals to speed up growth, strength in the middle

class, and build ladders of opportunity into the middle class.

Some require Congressional action. I am eager to work with all of you.

America does not stand still, neither will live. Wherever and

whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunities

for American families, that is what I will do. As analysts have been

pointing out, there is only a certain amount the President can do

without Congress. He cannot pass laws without Congress. He cannot do

the things he is hoping to do on immigration reform. He had this to

say on Obamacare. I do not expect to convince my Republican friends on

the merits of this law. But I know that the American people are not

interested in refighting old battles. Again, if you have specific

plans to cut costs, cover more people, increased choice, tell a

America what you would do differently. Let us see if the

numbers add up. Let us not have another fortysomething votes to

repeal a law that is already helping millions of Americans. The first 40

were plenty. We all owe it to the American people to say what we are

for, not just what we are against. We have heard something in that

already with the Republican response to that particular passage. It looks

like that fight on Obamacare will go on. The President was also keen to

stress opportunity for all and social mobility. He used himself and

John Boehner as examples of the American dream. They believe, and I

believe, that here in America our success should depend not on an

accident of birth, but the strength of our work ethic and the scope of

our dreams. That is what drew our fore bearers here. That is why the

daughter of a factory worker is CEO of America's largest automaker. How

the son of a barkeep is the Speaker of the House. How the son of a

single mother can be president of the greatest nation on earth.

President Obama had this to say on Iran. It is interesting because

negotiations have had some success. He is making it plain that if

Congress are to put forward a bill for further sanctions against Iran,

he made it clear that he will veto that Bill unless Iran does not do

what it has promised to do. With our allies and partners we are engaged

in negotiations to see if we can peacefully achieve a goal we all

share, preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. These

negotiations will be difficult, they may not succeed. We are clear ride

about runs a support for terrorist organisations like his beloved. --

we are clear ride. We know there is mistrust between our nations. These

negotiations do not rely on trust. Any long-term deal we agreed to must

be based on verifiable action that convinces us and the international

community that Iran is not building a nuclear bomb. He had this to say

on gun violence. Citizenship means standing up for the lies that gun

violence is still from us each day. I have seen the courage parents,

students, pastors, officers, people all over this country who say we are

not afraid. I intend to keep trying, with or without Congress, to help

stop more tragedies for visiting innocent Americans in our moving

theatres and a shopping mall is all schools like Sandy Hook. -- shopping

malls. In state of the union last year, the president promised action

on guns, immigration, and climate. He asked Congress to do 41 different

things with him. Just two of those have been accomplished. We will see

what happens this time. What is crucial about executive orders is

that they are generally just tinkering around the edges. This is

BBC News. We continued with very uncertain

look to the weather with heavy showers still continuing through

today. It will feel increasingly cold as we start to pick up more of

an easterly breeze. Those showers will keep going through the