This article outlines the policy statements and plans, sans the rhetoric and feel-good stories, that President Obama included in his first State of the Union address, which he delivered on January 27, 2010.
- Lobbyist and Earmark Reform
- "Require lobbyists to disclose each contact they make on behalf of a client with my administration or with Congress."
- "Put strict limits on the contributions that lobbyists give to candidates for federal office."
- "Continue down the path of earmark reform."
- "I'm calling on Congress to publish all earmark requests on a single Web site before there's a vote."
- "... last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests –- including foreign corporations –- to spend without limit in our elections... I'd urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems."
- Homeland Security
- "Renewed our focus on the terrorists who threaten our nation."
- "Made substantial investments in our homeland security and disrupted plots that threatened to take American lives."
- "Filling unacceptable gaps revealed by the failed Christmas attack."
- "Prohibited torture."
- "Strengthened partnerships from the Pacific to South Asia to the Arabian Peninsula."
- "Hundreds of al Qaeda's fighters and affiliates, including many senior leaders, have been captured or killed -- far more than in 2008."
- Afghanistan War
- "Increasing our troops and training Afghan security forces so they can begin to take the lead in July of 2011, and our troops can begin to come home."
- "Will reward good governance, work to reduce corruption, and support the rights of all Afghans -- men and women alike."
- "We're joined by allies and partners who have increased their own commitments."
- Iraq War
- "This war is ending, and all of our troops are coming home."
- "We are responsibly leaving Iraq to its people."
- "Will have all of our combat troops out of Iraq by the end of this August."
- "Will support the Iraqi government as they hold elections."
- "We will continue to partner with the Iraqi people to promote regional peace and prosperity."
- The Threat of Nuclear Weapons
- "I've embraced the vision of John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan through a strategy that reverses the spread of these weapons and seeks a world without them."
- "The United States and Russia are completing negotiations on the farthest-reaching arms control treaty in nearly two decades."
- "At April's Nuclear Security Summit, we will bring 44 nations together here in Washington, D.C. behind a clear goal: securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years, so that they never fall into the hands of terrorists."
- Other Diplomatic Leadership
- "Engagement that advances the common security and prosperity of all people."
- "Working through the G20 to sustain a lasting global recovery."
- "Working with Muslim communities around the world to promote science and education and innovation."
- "Gone from a bystander to a leader in the fight against climate change."
- "Helping developing countries to feed themselves, and continuing the fight against HIV/AIDS."
- "Launching a new initiative that will give us the capacity to respond faster and more effectively to bioterrorism or an infectious disease."
- Pursuit of Civil Rights
- "A Civil Rights Division that is once again prosecuting civil rights violations and employment discrimination."
- "Strengthened our laws to protect against crimes driven by hate."
- "Finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love."
- "Crack down on violations of equal pay laws."
- Immigration Reform
- "Continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system."
- "Secure our borders."
- "Enforce our laws."
- "Ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation."
"I campaigned on the promise of change –- change we can believe in, the slogan went. And right now, I know there are many Americans who aren't sure if they still believe we can change –- or that I can deliver it.
"But remember this –- I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I could do it alone. Democracy in a nation of 300 million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That's just how it is."