President Obama is known around the world for his impressive speeches that keeps his audiences engrossed in his arguments. His use of anecdotes and rhetorical strategies and rhetorical devices often adds interest to the particular details. But, many critics argue that his final momentous address to the nation lacks the vigor and quality that generally comes with a speech from the president. Some critics have argued that the speech was exactly as it should be for an outgoing president as the speaker highlighted his achievement as the president and the discussed the future of the United States. As expected there was no plan on how the country should move forward because his tenure is at an end and such proposals must be undertaken by the future president. President Obama’s 2016 State of the Union address touched on a number of important issues that affect the United States citizens, but lacked details of the prospect of moving the state forward in the ensuing years.
Interestingly, the speech was a mixture of the lofty rhetoric and the colloquial humor that the President commonly uses in his speech and drew a number of applauses from the audience. Of course, a number of persons would argue that such technique placed a damper on the seriousness of the address. But, the President was set to make the speech one that would help Americans to look at the past and use it as a guide to the future. His humor of the situation could have been a result of his knowledge that even as he makes this address to the Union, the country is taking steps to elect his replacement. He notes: “I know some of you are antsy to get back to Iowa I've been there I'll be shaking hands afterwards if you want some tips” (Obama 1). These statements draw laughter from the group and undoubtedly appeal to the mixed emotions of his audience. But there is no doubt that it was the ideal opening that would help the audience to relax and looked forward to an interesting and lengthy speech.
Despite the concerns of having failed in some respects, the President accomplished his goals of reminding the American citizens of the contribution that he has made to the political sector including his achievements and his failures. Some critics may agree that it takes a strong man to own up to his strengths, but it takes a stronger man to admit his failures. The President also makes light of the policy on health care which had caused much controversy in the country almost a year ago. But, takes a more serious tone as he speaks on the policies of and the “constructive approach” (Obama 2) that the leader took at the end of 2014 “to pass a budget and make tax cuts permanent for working families” (Obama 3).
During that opening speech President Obama gets to the point quickly on the topic of fixing the broken immigration system that forms much of the controversial debate from the presidential candidate, Donald Trump. In addition, Obama delves quickly into the problems associated with the protection of children from gun violence, paid leave, increasing the wages for those are minimum wage workers, and providing equal pay for equal work. He appeals to the hardworking people who continue to struggle for equal pay and to those who have suffered directly and indirectly from the hands of gun violence.
The President chose to use symbolism to offset the number of achievements in his tenure as the president of the most powerful country in the world. The empty seat beside the First Lady represented the victims of gun violence. The filled seats were symbolic of causes that the country would not support under the Obama – led administration and include the clerk of the Kentucky court who refused to sign on the marriage certificates of same-gender couples. Another set held a Syrian refugee which symbolizes America’s openness to protect persons from different country, cultures and political persuasions.
The speech was successful in addressing the high number of successes in jobs and the economy, healthcare, the financial sector, trade, the environment, education and international relations. A number of critics argue that despite the Presidents references to these areas as being successful, there was room for many improvements in these fields. Not many persons appreciated the technique used in the speech to get a feedback from the citizens the President focused largely on the improvements to the lives of the people and indirectly takes the opportunity to help the Democratic presidential candidate to inform the public. The strategy in this speech presents the Republicans as barriers to the progress of the country as by removing the Democrats from the White House would be a move to end the progress of the past eight years.
The speech as the 2016 Address to the Unions should be less formal as the President is on his way out of the White House and the policies for the year ahead should be done by the future president of the country. The speech achieved its goals despite the different views that persons may have of the speech. Obama met the expectations of many of the citizens when he addressed the issue of polarization and its division in the country. Additionally, he shows that even the President is not above mistakes and failures when he points to his failure of not having done enough to heal the bitter political divide in the country. But, despite his many efforts, one could argue that this was not a true failure as persons have free will and the freedom of liberty and speech and will always contradict policies and laws.
Some persons might disagree and say that they were not interested in the President’s achievement, but the there is no doubt that the Obama – led administration is largely responsible for providing affordable health care and for rebuilding the country’s economy. There is growth in the country’s economy and despite any flagrant references to his achievement; one cannot doubt the significant contribution that he has made to politics. Many persons would have expected the President to add more details on how violence can help to remove the threat that ISIS presents and his passive approach to dealing with the threat in his speech will lead to a number of future debates. But, for political analysts who are objective, the speech meets the protocol for the outgoing President of the as the primary goal was to remind the people of the successes of the Democrats and hope that the country will return them to the White House.
In concluding, the President successfully paved the way for the citizens to become even more successful under the next president as he speaks to the voting disenfranchisement, apathy among citizens and the wider society, tribalism, gerrymandered districts and the wealth of presidential candidates that influences the political choices and decisions of the people. But, the underlined suggestion in the speech ahs left a number of persons critical of the hint that each citizen must find a way to emerge from the polarization that comes with politics. Arguably, the public cannot truly agree on the achievements of the President as success is a relative term that denotes different meanings to different persons. The truth is that despite the positive achievements and the failures of the President, his speech is a stark reminder of the significant changes that have impacted the country under the leadership of Barack Obama and his Democratic team.
Reference
Obama, Barack (President) Remarks of President Barack Obama – State of the Union Address as
Delivered, (2016) The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, For Immediate Release, Web 20 Feb 2016 < https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/01/12/remarks-president-barack-obama-–-prepared-delivery-state-union-address
