President Obama will lay out a blueprint for an American economy “that’s built to last” in his State of the Union address on Tuesday, echoing the sentiments he made in a speech in Kansas last month where he sought to portray himself as a warrior for the middle class.
Appearing on a video sent to supporters on Saturday morning, Obama said the address Tuesday night will be “a bookend” to what he said in his Kansas speech, where talked about a “make or break moment” for the middle class.
“Because we can go in two directions,” the president said, “One is towards less opportunity and fairness. Or we can fight for where I think we need to go: building an economy that works for everyone, not just a wealthy few.”
To date, the White House has kept a tight lid the specifics of the speech. But on a call with state and local leaders on Friday afternoon, Obama referred to the Kansas speech and also implied that fighting for the middle class would be a big part of the address on Tuesday night. Before the call was made, the White House sent copies of the Kansas speech to the leaders on the call.
In the video on Saturday, Obama said his blueprint would include several elements: American manufacturing, “with more good jobs and more products stamped with Made in America,” as well as American energy, “fueled by homegrown and alternative energy sources” along with skills for American workers, “getting people the education and training they need so they’re ready to take on the jobs of today and tomorrow.
“And most importantly, a return to American values, of fairness for all and responsibility from all,” he continued. “They’re big ideas, because we’ve got to meet this moment. And this speech is going to be about how we do it.”
