Here are a few brief thoughts on President Obama’s final State of the Union, delivered Tuesday.
What’s new?
In past State of the Union addresses, Obama proposed new programs or reforms. For example, the myRA retirement accounts were featured in 2014, as was “free” community college in 2015. This year, Obama didn’t really have anything new to say. Even though he just announced new executive action on gun control, Obama only once mentioned anything on that subject. “I’ll keep pushing for progress on the work that still needs doing [like] protecting our kids from gun violence,” he said.
Unlike some addresses, Obama seemed to go big on themes and small on specifics. There was a greater focus on bridging partisan gaps and ending racial and religious discrimination. In some ways, these topics are more important than specific policy reforms, but the president has less power to create the necessary influence to change culture.
American Heroes
A shoutout to Presidents Lincoln and Roosevelt (which one?) aside, the American heroes that Obama mentioned were not politicians. They were scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs. This was probably my favorite part of the speech:
“That spirit of discovery is in our DNA. We’re Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers and George Washington Carver. We’re Grace Hopper and Katherine Johnson and Sally Ride. We’re every immigrant and entrepreneur from Boston to Austin to Silicon Valley racing to shape a better world.”
Too often, the people responsible for monumental improvements in our everyday life are forgotten. Edison’s numerous inventions have done more to improve our lives than most presidents have. It was great to see Obama recognize that progress in the world doesn’t always come from politicians, bureaucrats or diplomats.
GOP Response
When Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., was revealed as the Republican choice to respond to Obama’s address, many thought it could make her a favorite for the 2016 GOP vice presidential nomination. Her performance Tuesday did not help or hurt her cause.
In terms of performance, Haley was not electrifying, and she often appeared somewhat robotic. But delivering the State of the Union response is difficult, with no audience to feed off of or show approval. Where Haley shined was in the content of her speech, which toed a difficult line between rebuking the Obama administration and condemning the viciousness of Donald Trump. When people make lists of potential 2016 GOP vice presidential choices, Haley should be on them.
Jason Russell is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
