Broad Praise For President’s State of The Union Speech

“The President has offered a balanced approach that hopefully can garner bipartisan support," said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). "He is aware of the need to rein in spending but also the need to grow jobs, the economy and middle class paychecks. It makes sense to cut programs that are wasteful and unnecessary, but grow the programs that are needed to preserve the American dream.

[State Of The Union]

The Black Star News started getting reaction to the President’s State of the Union address within minutes of its conclusion tonight.

“The President has offered a balanced approach that hopefully can garner bipartisan support,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). “He is aware of the need to rein in spending but also the need to grow jobs, the economy and middle class paychecks. It makes sense to cut programs that are wasteful and unnecessary, but grow the programs that are needed to preserve the American dream. The President showed the kind of optimism that America relishes, thrives on and believes in.”

New York City’s Republican mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, had the following remarks tonight: “This was a powerful speech that rightly called for a new spirit of civility and cooperation in our public discourse. President Obama called on both parties to come together to address the most important issues facing our nation, including fixing our public schools, our broken immigration system, and our antiquated infrastructure. But in discussing the terrible tragedy in Tucson, he missed an opportunity to bring the country together on an issue that has support among the vast majority of Americans: fixing the nation’s broken background check system that is designed to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

Its absence was disappointing, but it will not slow the momentum we are building around the country, and in both parties, for common sense measures to strengthen law enforcement and improve public safety.”

Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, said, “We agree with the president’s call for long-term investments in our children and schools. These investments are essential to strengthen our nation, maintain a healthy democracy and help future generations succeed.

The goal is to make sure every student has an opportunity to achieve great things, just like the terrific West Philadelphia students who sat with the first lady during the State of the Union address.

While making these critical investments in our future, we also have to protect those who are less fortunate and support those who are struggling mightily to lead a middle-class life, stay healthy, send their children to college and retire with dignity.

As a nation, we do better when we put aside our differences and find common ground, and it doesn’t cost a nickel to work together. We applaud the president’s call for more civility and collaboration, which we believe is the best hope for achieving better lives for students and all Americans.”

Benjamin Jealous, the President of the NAACP said: “As he did in Tucson last week, the President made a noble effort to move our country past petty political posturing tonight. He reminded the nation that that we are one people, and that we must care for each other — our beliefs, our health, our livelihoods — as we would ourselves. He reminded us all of what it means to be American.

Congress and the White House must now take up these challenges, for the betterment of our economy and our prosperity. But they won’t get it done unless we get engaged, raise our voices and defend our children’s future.”

“Speaking Truth To Empower.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *