|
 Obama left Washington for a two-day trip to Idaho and Kansas to
push his message that everyone should stand to gain from an economy
that has all but recovered from years in the doldrums.
No longer restrained by having to face an election again, Obama
struck a confident tone in his State of the Union address on Tuesday
night, saying, "the shadow of crisis has passed."
Despite losing control of the Senate to Republicans in November's
midterm elections, Obama has taken an active role setting the agenda
on policy from immigration reform to improving relations with Cuba,
as he seeks to shape his legacy.
Polls show Obama has reason to be upbeat. Reuters/Ipsos polling data
on Wednesday put his approval at 41 percent this week, up four
points from a month ago. But 52 percent of Americans still
disapprove of his performance.
To a crowd of more than 6,000 in a stadium at Boise State
University, Obama continued to chide Republicans and noted that
their body language during his speech on Tuesday made clear that
they disagreed with him.
 "They were kind of quiet," Obama joked, noting Republicans had not
applauded for his policy proposals. "I want to get to 'yes.'"
Republicans have not warmed to Obama's proposals to finance free
community college or raise taxes on wealthy individuals, and they
are not pleased by his veto threats.
Obama threatened to veto Republican efforts to overturn his
signature healthcare law, executive action loosening rules for
undocumented immigrants, and efforts to force the White House to
approve the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline.
Republicans called for Obama to be more humble, given that they took
control of both chambers of Congress this month after winning the
midterms handsomely.
"We've only been here 2-1/2 weeks, and he's put seven veto threats.
I think that's probably not the best start. Let us work the
legislation before you decide something's going to be vetoed," House
of Representatives Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on the CBS
"This Morning" program.
One area where Obama might win support from Republicans is on trade.
He called in his speech for Congress to give him so-called
fast-track authority to help complete major trade pacts such as the
Trans-Pacific Partnership deal being negotiated with Asia.
He warned that China would be the winner if that deal falters.
"The president made very clear last night that TPA (Trade Promotion
Authority) and TPP is now a top presidential priority and now is the
time to get it done," said Evan Medeiros, the top White House aide
on Asia.
While some conservative Republicans oppose giving Obama fast-track
authority, the heaviest resistance might be from fellow Democrats
who worry that trade deals could hurt American workers.
[to top of second column] |
McCarthy said Republicans are also willing to work with Obama on tax
reform.
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on Wednesday that after recent
talks with Republicans he was confident a business tax reform plan
can make it through Congress. Lew put the chances of passage at
"better than 50-50."
The tax plan includes a lower top corporate rate, ensuring more
taxes are paid on foreign earnings, and closing a host of loopholes.
IN THE HEARTLAND
On his trip, Obama visited a lab at Boise State University’s Micron
Engineering Center in Idaho. Both Idaho and Kansas are “red” or
Republican-leaning states, which White House officials took into
account in an effort to show his policies can appeal to a bipartisan
audience.
Obama told lawmakers and millions watching on television that it was
time to "turn the page" from recession and war, and work together to
boost middle-class Americans.
His vision of a stronger and more expensive safety net stands little
chance of becoming law this year, but it could shape the debate for
the 2016 presidential election.
Hillary Clinton, the likely frontrunner for the Democratic
nomination, is already facing heat from Massachusetts Senator
Elizabeth Warren and others on the left, who worry Clinton may bow
to pressure from Wall Street and not push enough of a populist
agenda on the economy.
In a post on Twitter after the speech, Clinton wrote: "@BarackObama
#SOTU pointed way to an economy that works for all. Now we need to
step up & deliver for the middle class. #FairShot #FairShare".
(Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Jason Lange, Howard
Schneider, Susan Heavey, Krista Hughes and Richard Cowan; Writing by
Alistair Bell; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe, Tom Brown and Ken Wills)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
