Obama looks to the future

US President Barack Obama will tonight try to convince the American people that he has a vision for creating jobs while reining in the nation’s growing debt.

Speaking to a nationwide television audience in his annual State of the Union address, Mr Obama will focus on jobs, the issue of most importance to the public and to his hopes for a second term.

Specifically, he will discuss improving education, innovation and infrastructure in the United States to provide a more solid economic base. He will pair that with calls to reduce the government’s debt – now topping $14 trillion (€10 trillion) – and reform government.

The mid-term elections gave Republicans control of the House of Representatives, the lower house of the American Congress, and a stronger minority vote in the Senate, so Mr Obama will not be able to push changes through over Republican objections. The contrast between the two parties’ visions remains stark, and where to slash spending, and by how much, will drive much of the debate for 2011.

The president will also discuss the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, terrorism threats and diplomacy.

The speech comes less than three weeks after an assassination attempt on Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Arizona. Among those who will sit with first lady Michelle Mr Obama at the speech will be the family of a nine-year-old girl who was killed in the shooting, an aide who rushed to help Mrs Giffords, and surgeons who have treated her.

Mr Obama will be giving his main speech of the year in the shadow of his highly regarded eulogy for the Tucson victims, which called for national unity and civility.

Mr Obama will try to emphasise economic priorities that can draw both public support and enough Republican consideration for serious debate.

He will wrap them all under the heading of helping the United States compete in the world – a “win the future” rallying cry that his aides hopes will resonate with workers, business executives and both political parties.