Obama speech promises reforms

FACING a divided Congress and a dissatisfied nation, US President Barack Obama aimed at getting the US economy and his own presidency back on track in his first State of the Union policy speech last night.

Mr Obama’s address to Congress was underpinned by two themes — reassuring millions of Americans that he understands their struggles and convincing people that he is working to change Washington even as he finds himself working within its old political ways.

The address had enormous stakes for Obama. He rode a tide of voter frustration into office and now is getting its backlash.