Obama calls for US to 'fix' its politics in final State of the Union speech
President Barack Obama on January 12 urged US leaders to "fix our politics" and lift Americans' standard of living in a final State of the Union speech designed to contrast his vision for the country with Republican presidential campaign rhetoric.
Obama, who is delivering his last annual speech to Congress before leaving office next January, said political discourse was meant to be messy, but - in an apparent nod to proposals by Republican candidates such as Donald Trump - required "bonds of trust" between citizens.
“The future we want: opportunity and security for our families; a rising standard of living and a sustainable, peaceful planet for our kids; all that is within our reach," Obama will say, according to excerpts of his speech released in advance by the White House.
"But it will only happen if we work together. It will only happen if we can have rational, constructive debates. It will only happen if we fix our politics."
Obama's speech, scheduled for 9 p.m. EST, is one of his few remaining chances to capture the attention of millions of Americans before the November 8 election of a new president who will take office next January.
Businessman Trump is leading the Republican field. He has called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States and a wall on the US border with Mexico to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, ideas Obama strongly opposes.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who is delivering the Republican Party’s response to Obama’s address, will knock his record on fiscal and foreign policy while delivering a not-so-subtle jab at Republican presidential candidates such as Trump.