State of the Union 2016 Recap: Obama Polishes Legacy, Tasks for Next President in Final SOTU Speech

By Michael Oleaga Jan 13 2016, 04:07 AM EST

President Barack Obama delivered his final State of the Union address on Tuesday night, and spoke on several topics ranging from immigration, the economy and foreign policy.

SOTU's Focus: Future & Four Questions

Now in his final year in office, Obama said that is understandable that expectations to achieve goals will be low due to the election season, but regardless, he wants to continue work on fixing a broken immigration system, protecting children from gun violence, pay equity and other issues for the next 5 to 10 years and beyond.

"I want to focus on our future," said Obama. "We live in a time of extraordinary change - change that's reshaping the way we live, the way we work, our planet and our place in the world. It's change that promises amazing medical breakthroughs, but also economic disruptions that strain working families."

Obama's addressed focused on four questions that the U.S. needs to answer, regardless of who wins the presidency and controls Congress next year.

The president asked, "First, how do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security in this new economy? Second, how do we make technology work for us, and not against us - especially when it comes to solving urgent challenges like climate change? Third, how do we keep America safe and lead the world without becoming its policeman? And finally, how can we make our politics reflect what's best in us, and not what's worst?"

Obama also announced Vice President Joe Biden will campaign to find the cure against cancer.

Economy & Immigration's Role

In regards to the economy, Obama said the U.S. currently has the strongest and most durable economy in the world as a result of the ongoing longest streak of private-sector job creation, more than 14 million new jobs, unemployment cut in half since entering office and cutting the deficit by nearly three-quarters. He added that anyone who thinks the U.S. economy is on decline "is peddling fiction."

"I believe a thriving private sector is the lifeblood of our economy. I think there are outdated regulations that need to be changed, and there's red tape that needs to be cut," said Obama, adding that corporations have seen record profits.

Obama also recognized immigration is not the reason wages have not increased, since wage increase are usually decisions made in the boardrooms. He also said workers, start-ups and small businesses need a bigger voice in the new economy.

Education

On Education, Obama polished his legacy by acknowledging the increase of early childhood education and improved high school graduation rates but the next president needs to build on that aforementioned progress by providing free pre-k education for all, offer students hands-on computer science and math classes and both recruit and support great teachers.

Climate Change

Climate change was next on Obama's agenda, and it's a topic he said people should not dispute or deny.

"Look, if anybody still wants to dispute the science around climate change, have at it. You'll be pretty lonely, because you'll be debating our military, most of America's business leaders, the majority of the American people, almost the entire scientific community, and 200 nations around the world who agree it's a problem and intend to solve it," said Obama, noting 2014 and 2015 were recorded as the warmest years on record and called for investments in cleaner energy.

Security & Foreign Policy

Obama linked climate change as one of the major security issues that affects the world, which enabled him to transition the topic to America's security.

"I told you earlier all the talk of America's economic decline is political hot air. Well, so is all the rhetoric you hear about our enemies getting stronger and America getting weaker. The United States of America is the most powerful nation on Earth. Period. It's not even close," said Obama, adding the U.S. spends more on military than the next eight countries combined and no nation would attack the U.S. or its allies "because they know that's the path to ruin." "Surveys show our standing around the world is higher than when I was elected to this office, and when it comes to every important international issue, people of the world do not look to Beijing or Moscow to lead -- they call us."

Obama reiterated his call for Congress to authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State militant group. He did acknowledge that it's not the role for the U.S. to take over and rebuild every country that enters crisis as Iraq and Vietnam have served as examples that it's a recipe for "quagmire" for America.

Staying on foreign policy, Obama spoke about the renewed diplomatic relationship with Cuba. Describing the previous isolation policy as a failed approach to promote democracy, Obama said the new relationship opens the door to commerce, travel and improved lives with people in Cuba. He also called on Congress to lift the embargo against the communist island.

2016 Campaign Rhetoric and Engaging Americans

Making a reference to the ongoing rhetoric on the 2016 presidential campaign, Obama said people have to reject politics that targets race or religion since it's not a matter of political correctness and the world respect the U.S. for its diversity and openness respecting every faith.

"So, my fellow Americans, whatever you may believe, whether you prefer one party or no party, our collective future depends on your willingness to uphold your obligations as a citizen," said Obama. "To vote. To speak out. To stand up for others, especially the weak, especially the vulnerable, knowing that each of us is only here because somebody, somewhere, stood up for us. To stay active in our public life so it reflects the goodness and decency and optimism that I see in the American people every single day."

Following the State of the Union address, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart delivered separate Republican responses, in English and Spanish, respectively.