Obama tries to reassure Americans in key speech

Congress gave him the traditional warm welcome. But, as Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address, it was ordinary Americans he was eager to engage.

After a year in office, his message to those frustrated at high unemployment and sceptical of his handling of the US economy was : I hear you.

“People are out of work. They are hurting. They need our help. And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay,” he said.

While jobs will be the priority in 2010, Obama also vowed to deliver on a campaign pledge this year and withdraw US soldiers from Iraq.

“As we take the fight to al Qaeda, we are responsibly leaving Iraq to its people. As a candidate, I promised that I would end this war, and that is what I am doing as President. We will have all of our combat troops out of Iraq by the end of this August,” said Obama.

In a pugnacious performance, Obama’s tone was sometimes humourous, sometimes defiant. Despite recent political defeats, his aim was to show his presidency remains on track.

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