Shields and New York Times columnist david brooks. Mark, what is different about a state of the union when its the first one of a second term . You dont have that many more to look forward to . The sand is running out of the glass. This is probably the best shot that most president s have in their second term is that first yearandahalf before you get into Congressional Elections and the lame duckness really sets in. The race to succeed him begins while hes just sitting there. So this is important. This is the teasing of the moment but the moment is left under most circumstances. Obviously a crisis can extend that. But generally speaking in the natural order of things, judy, a president has a yearandahalf to accomplish his greatest achievements in his second term. Woodruff as we watch the video live from the House Chamber, members of the president s cabinet making their way in greeting senators and house members. Were waiting for the president himself to come in that door. David, if any
Has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. A decade of war is now ending. [applause] an economic recovery has begun. [applause] americas possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this World Without boundaries demands youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it so long as we seize it together. [applause] for we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. [applause] we believe that americas prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that america thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the s
We believe every citizen deserves a measure of dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care. We reject the belief that america must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and invested in the generation that will build its future. We remember the lessons of our past. Twilight years were spent in poverty. A tablet disability had nowhere to turn. We do not believe that freedom is reserved for the lucky or happiness for the few. We recognize that men matter how responsibly we live our lives any one of us at any of our times may face a job loss or a home slipped away in a terrible storm. The commitments we make to each other do not zap our nation, they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers, and a free as to take the risk that make this country great. Redo the free us to take the risks that make this country great. We the people still believe our obligations of americans are not just to ourselves but to all posterity f. We
As a nation, this is the kind of the best of america in action. This is something we do well and this is a living History Lesson today. Yes, all of us who are here to cover it love this sort of thing and wouldnt miss it for the world, but this is how an interest in history and politics can get kindled at a young age. And its one of the great spectacles available for free from home. Savannah guthrie, i heard someone say this past week that this time around, four years later, the highs are not so high and the lows are not so low, meaning yes, the crowd wont number 2 million. The history of this administration has already been made. But also the economy isnt in a fr fr freefall. It doesnt feel as dire as it did. As you mentioned, this is one of these moments. This is one of the symbols that we who love this democracy cherish so much. The president using this opportunity. We talk about the big moments in a presidency. This is one of them. Im told this is an inaugural address that will be f