Obama asks Congress to help 'ignite middle class'
Obama gives his 4th State of the Union address
In his State of the Union address, President Obama challenged Congress to help ignite growth of a "rising, thriving middle class."
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<b>--SUPERS</b>--</p><br /><p>:10-:13</p><p>President Barack Obama</p><br /><p>:22-:31</p><p>President Barack Obama</p><br /><p>:40-:47</p><p>President Barack Obama</p><br /><p>1:09-1:17</p><p>President Barack Obama</p><br /><p>1:25-1:32</p><p>Sen. Marco Rubio</p><p>(R) Florida</p><br /><p>1:34-end</p><p>Emily Schmidt</p><p>Washington</p><br /><p>
<b>--SUGGESTED ANCHOR LEAD IN</b>--</p><p>President Obama just delivered his State of the Union address to both houses of Congress and millions of Americans watching at home. </p><p>The stakes were high in this much-anticipated speech. </p><p>Emily Schmidt has the story. </p><br /><p>
<b>--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS</b>--</p><p>"The President of the United States"</p><p>IN HIS 4TH STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, PRESIDENT OBAMA LAID OUT THE AGENDA FOR HIS SECOND TERM IN OFFICE. </p><p>"the state of our union is stronger."</p><p>THE FOCUS OF TONIGHT'S SPEECH: HOW *HE* PLANS TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND FIND WORK FOR 12 POINT 3 MILLION UNEMPLOYED AMERICANS. </p><p>"broad-based economic growth requires a balanced approach to deficit reduction, with spending cuts and revenue, and with everybody doing their fair share." </p><p>WARMLY RECEIVED BY DEMOCRATS AND MOSTLY DISMISSED BY REPUBLICANS, THE PRESIDENT WILL NEED HELP FROM BOTH PARTIES TO ACHIEVE HIS GOALS. </p><p>"let's set party interests aside, and work to pass a budget that replaces reckless cuts with smart savings and wise investments in our future." </p><p>ON FOREIGN POLICY, THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED A MAJOR TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANSITAN -- 34,000 BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR. </p><p>ON IMMIGRATION REFORM, HE PUSHED FOR A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THE 11 MILLION ILLIGAL IMMIGRANTS CURRENTLY IN THE U.S. </p><p>"Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress." </p><p>AND ON GUN CONTROL -- HE MADE IT CLEAR HE WANTS ACTION. </p><p>"The families of Oak Creek, and Tucson, and Blacksburg, and the countless other communities ripped open by gun violence - they deserve a simple vote."</p><p>FOLLOWING THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH, IT WAS THE REPUBLICANS' TURN. </p><p>FLORIDA SENATOR MARCO RUBIO DELIVERED HIS PARTY'S MESSAGE. </p><p>"as you heard tonight, his solution to virtually every problem we face is for Washington to tax more, borrow more and spend more."</p><p>
<b>----EMILY ON CAMERA TAG---</b>
</p><p>PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID THAT NONE OF THE IDEAS PROPOSED IN HIS SPEECH WOULD INCREASE THE DEFICIT BY WHAT HE CALLED A SINGLE DIME.</p><p>REPUBLICANS WERE QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT NONE OF THE IDEAS CARRIED A PRICE TAG, JUST YET.</p><p>ON CAPITOL HILL, I'M EMILY SCHMIDT REPORTING</p><br /><p>
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