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Xiaowan Zheng

Analysis of President Barack Obamas State of the Union

Address

President Barack Obama delivered his seventh and final State of the

Union address to the Congress on January 12th, 2016. His remarks was

framed around four big questions that I believe we as a country have

to answer,[1] including the economy, technology, security, and

political divide. Examining the political rhetoric in his address is critical

because rhetoric makes certain values more prominent and impacts

citizens understanding of various issues facing the country. This State

of the Union address was equipped with political theories including

egalitarianism, internationalism, republicanism, and national identity.

First, President Obama referred to one of the shared ideals,

egalitarianism, multiple times when his talked about the economy. He

pointed out the importance of economic fairness by asking the first

question how do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and

security in this new economy?[1] He also expressed his concern that

more and more wealth and income is concentrated at the very top[1]

due to trends and future changes. He then said, although none of

these trends are unique to America, they do offend our uniquely

American belief that everybody who works hard should get a fair
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shot.[1] To meet the challenge that could break the core value of

America, he argued and appealed to the audience Our goal has been

a growing economy that works also better for everybody,[1] real

opportunity requires every American to get the education,[1] and we

have to make college affordable for every American.[1] The bipartisan

reform of No Child Left Behind was also mentioned as an important

start of such approaches.

Second, President Obama embraced the idea of internationalism when

he talked about the national security and the foreign policy.

Internationalism first came out in the introduction of the third question,

how to keep America safe and strong without either isolating

ourselves or trying to nation-build everywhere theres a problem.[1]

He aimed to set the tone for his foreign policy. He then argued that it

was USs strategic interest to go into other parts of the world both

militarily and economically. Both al Qaeda and now ISIL pose a direct

threat to our peopleWe have to take them out.[1] With TPP, China

does not set the rules in the region; we do.[1] When it comes to

every important international issue, people of the world do not look to

Beijing or Moscow to lead they call us.[1] Such Pre-emptive Actions

[2] were interpreted as a defensive of liberty and lives. He also

reemphasized internationalism by saying that American leadership in

the 21st century is not a choice between ignoring the rest of the world-
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except when we kill terrorists-or occupying and rebuilding whatever

society is unraveling,[1] towards the ending of this section.

Third, President Obama also equipped his address with republicanism

as he talked about political divide. He referred to the founding

principles laid out by Americas founding fathers several times. He

quoted We the People[1] directly from the Constitution, and pointed

out the advantages of American diversity by saying Our Founders

distributed power between states and braches of government, and

expected us to argue, just as they did, fiercely, over the size and shape

of government, over commerce and foreign relations, over the

meaning of liberty and the imperatives of security.[1] After expressing

the regret of not unifying America, he called on a change in political

process and pointed out that it should be a government of, by, and for

the people.[1]

Last, the idea of Americans coming together and sharing in national

identity appeared several times in President Obamas address. In fact,

several aspects of national identity were mentioned. Democracy, as a

shared belief of Americans, was directly embedded in his words. But

democracy does require basic bonds of trust between its citizens,[1]

Democracy grinds to a halt without a willingness to compromise,[1]

democracy breaks down when the average person feels their voice
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doesnt matter,[1] and Our brand of democracy is hard.[1] He used

such rhetoric to foster connection and increase impact. President

Obama also interpreted assistance to Ukraine under the name of

democracy. We help Ukraine defend its democracy.[1] He also raised

a broader definition of American national identity by mentioning the

historically effort to expand civil rights[1] and Americans unique

strengths as a nation.[1] Last but not least, President Obama finished

his address with God bless you. God bless the United States of

America.[1] He did this through the rhetoric tradition of referring to

America as Gods chosen people, which was another shared national

belief.

Political theories including egalitarianism, internationalism,

republicanism, and national identity came out in President Obamas

final State of the Union address. Such political rhetoric is influential and

plays a big role in helping us remember what has been said.

Reference

[1] The White House, Office of the Press Secretary (2016). Remarks of

President Barack Obama State of the Union Address As Delivered.

Retrieved March 13, 2016, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-

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office/2016/01/12/remarks-president-barack-obama--prepared-

delivery-state-union-address

[2] The White House, Office of the Press Secretary (2002). President

Bush Delivers Graduation Speech at West. Retrieved March 13, 2016,

from http://georgewbush-

whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020601-3.html