After a difficult year and the end of a turbulent decade, President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address evoked opinions from both sides of the political spectrum.
The president’s speech Wednesday night addressed all of the major issues being debated in Congress: health care, energy independence, education and the economy.
Political science professor Richard Conley said Obama was acknowledging what people have been telling him for the past year: It’s time to focus on the job market.
UF College Republicans Chairman Johnathan Lott agreed.
“It’s time for the president to talk about jobs, but I’m not sure he’s going to do the right thing.”
Conley said the president is beginning to react to polls that show the public is concerned about the nation’s budget deficits and foreign debt.
And while the president urged bipartisanship, Conley was skeptical.
“There’s not a whole lot of basis to think bipartisanship will return with a flare,” he said.
But Ben Cavataro, president of the UF College Democrats, was optimistic about Obama’s agenda for 2010.
He watched the State of the Union with more than 30 other college Democrats at Gator’s Dockside restaurant. Like the Democrats in Congress watching the speech in the House Chamber, he said they were applauding, laughing and cheering as the president spoke.
“It’s one of the most exciting political events of the year,” he said.
Cavataro said Americans like the new focus on jobs and that he was excited about what the president offered for college students.
Obama said he wanted to increase Pell Grants, implement student loan forgiveness for those working in public service and end federal tax subsidies for banks giving student loans.
Cavataro said the tax subsidies are a waste of taxpayer money, and the government should loan directly to students instead.
And while Republicans and Democrats remain divided on the future of the country, Obama urged Congress to embrace unity.
“Let’s seize this moment,” Obama said, “ to start anew, to carry the dream forward and to strengthen our union once more.”
