What did Obama say in his last State of the Union address?

US President Barack Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address at 2 1 pm EST (Beijing time 13), which was the last such speech during his term of office. In his one-hour speech, Obama did not list his policy agenda for the coming year in detail as before, but avoided reality and talked more about his ruling philosophy and how to deal with the important challenges facing the United States in the future, trying to set the tone for this year's presidential election.

Analysts pointed out that due to the reality of the presidential and congressional elections in the United States, there are few areas where Obama can cooperate with the party and the party-controlled Congress, and it is difficult to make great achievements in governance and legislation this year; Obama hopes to describe the achievements in the past few years and how to deal with the challenges in the future, and systematically expound his ruling philosophy, so as to enhance the confidence of the American people in the Democratic Party's governance, encourage Democratic supporters to vote, and help the Democratic Party hold the White House throne, thus better consolidating its political legacy.

However, in his speech, Obama still put forward four major problems that need to be solved urgently in the United States, interspersed with topics that people care about, such as economy, diplomacy, security, climate, science and technology, and immigration.

One of the key words

"To make a long story short."

At the beginning of the speech, Obama first promised to make this State of the Union address "shorter". He said: "This is the eighth year of my State of the Union address. For the last time, I'll try to be brief. I know some of you can't wait to get back to Iowa. "

This year is the presidential election year in the United States. Democrats and Republicans are scheduled to hold primary elections in Iowa and New Hampshire on February 1 Sunday and February 9, and now the candidates are scrambling to get votes.

Speaking of which, Obama also improvised a sentence that was not in the speech. He said: "I have been to (Iowa). If you want to know any secrets, I can shake hands with you after the speech. "

Obama then listed the policy plan for the coming year, including medical care, education, immigration, economy and other topics. Then, he changed the topic and focused on the "future".

He said: "I don't want to talk only about this year's policy planning, but the next five years, 10 or even longer. I want to focus on the future. We live in an era of profound changes, and these changes are reshaping our lives, work and the planet we live in. "

According to him, these changes have both positive and negative effects. Obama said: "Our thoughts and actions should keep up with the changes. We should let these changes serve us. "

Keyword 2

"Four major problems"

In his speech, Obama also listed "four major problems", which he believes are the problems facing the whole country in the United States.

First, under the new economic situation, how can we give everyone opportunities and a sense of security?

Second, how can we make technology serve us instead of having the opposite effect? Especially when dealing with major challenges such as climate change.

Third, how can we protect American security and lead the world without being a "world policeman"?

Fourth, how can politics better reflect the country's progress rather than its shortcomings?

Keyword three

"boasting about the economy"

In his speech, Obama praised the achievements of the American economy in the past few years and refuted the "American economic recession theory."

He said: "I want to talk about the economy first. One of the most basic facts is that the United States now has the strongest and most sustainable economy in the world ... If someone claims that the American economy is in recession, it is purely a story. So why are many Americans worried? This is because the economy is undergoing profound changes. "

Economic issues have always been the focus of Obama's State of the Union address. The public has mixed opinions on the economic measures taken during Obama's term of office. Relevant economic statistics show that the American economy has rebounded for seven years, the unemployment rate has been halved, and the wage level has been continuously improved.

However, Obama was accused of making no achievements on the sensitive issue of tax reform. In his previous State of the Union address, Obama repeatedly proposed raising taxes on the rich and big companies to subsidize the poor, but this proposal has been opposed by * * * and the party.

Keyword four

"New Moon Landing Plan"

In his speech, Obama talked about a "new moon landing plan" and vowed to cure cancer permanently through this national plan. He also appointed Vice President Joe Biden as the project leader.

Obama said: "Last year, Vice President Biden said that if the new moon landing program was implemented, the United States could cure cancer ... Tonight, I announced the launch of this project, and he was in charge. For the lost relatives, for the family we can still save, let me turn the United States into a country that can permanently cure cancer. "

Last May, Biden's son bo Biden died of brain cancer at the age of 46. Biden admits that curing cancer faces great challenges, just as American President John F. Kennedy encountered many difficulties when he put forward the idea of landing on the moon in the early 1960s.

Keyword five

The fight against terrorism

In the "second half" of his speech, Obama talked about fighting terrorism and said that protecting Americans and chasing terrorists are "the first priority".

He said: "Al Qaeda and Islamic countries pose a direct threat to our people. In today's world, even a handful of terrorists who are worthless to mankind may cause us great losses. They use the Internet to poison the minds of some people in our country, and they hurt our allies. "

The British "Guardian" commented that "Islamic State" has been a hot topic for US presidential candidates recently, but Obama chose to talk about this topic in the "second half" of his speech, which is different. In doing so, Obama intends to prove that terrorist organizations have little impact on the lives of ordinary Americans.

Keyword six

A regrettable thing

At the end of the speech, Obama talked about the regrets during his presidency. He said that one of them was the failure to bridge the differences between the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party.

Obama said: "Now many Americans feel that this is one of the few regrets during my presidency. During my presidency, the differences and suspicions between the two parties have not improved, but have become more serious. There is no doubt that a gifted president like Lincoln or Roosevelt can better bridge these differences, but I promise that I will work harder as long as I am still in office. "