President Obama Delivers Final State of the Union Speech

In his final State of the Union address, President Obama outlined his vision for the future of the country, saying Americans needs to "fix our politics" to ensure the prosperity of the country.

“For my final address to this chamber, I don’t want to talk just about the next year. I want to focus on the next five years, ten years, and beyond. I want to focus on our future,” he said.

The president’s seventh and final State of the Union comes as much of the political world focuses on this year’s presidential election. Though the prepared remarks do not contain any direct reference to a presidential candidate, the president alludes to the rhetoric used by Republicans on the campaign trail.

“America has been through big changes before – wars and depression, the influx of new immigrants, workers fighting for a fair deal, movements to expand civil rights. Each time, there have been those who told us to fear the future; who claimed we could slam the brakes on change, who promised to restore past glory if we just got some group or idea that was threatening America under control. And each time, we overcame those fears,” he said.

“We did not, in the words of Lincoln, adhere to the ‘dogmas of the quiet past.’ Instead we thought anew, and acted anew. We made change work for us, always extending America’s promise outward, to the next frontier, to more and more people. And because we did – because we saw opportunity where others saw only peril – we emerged stronger and better than before,” he added. “What was true then can be true now. Our unique strengths as a nation – our optimism and work ethic, our spirit of discovery and innovation, our diversity and commitment to the rule of law – these things give us everything we need to ensure prosperity and security for generations to come.”

Instead of providing a legislative to-do list, the president touted the success of his seven years in office, including progress made in the economy, on healthcare, and with same-sex marriage. Speaking to a Republican-controlled Congress, President Obama cited areas where Democrats and Republicans may be able to work together, including criminal justice reform and prescription drug abuse.

“So who knows, we might surprise the cynics again,” he said.

As he started his final State of the Union speech, President Obama said he would be brief, joking that the 2016 candidates in the audience needed to get back on the campaign trail.

"Tonight marks the eighth year I’ve come here to report on the State of the Union. And for this final one, I’m going to try to make it shorter. I know some of you are antsy to get back to Iowa," the president said to laughter.

Two presidential candidates – Senators Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Bernie Sanders – attended the president’s State of the Union address. Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, who are both able to attend the State of the Union, were not in the audience.

A White House official said this is slated to be President Obama's shortest State of the Union speech. His shortest State of the Union address to this point clocked in at 52 minutes in 2009.

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