Barack Obama came to the White House with a desire to improve relations with Russia, which had fallen to an all-time low at the end of the reign of his predecessor, George Jr. The adviser, the future US ambassador to Russia, developed the idea of ​​a “reset” to improve relations, which was supposed to help get rid of the baggage of the past.

New relations were also facilitated by the fact that he took the post of president in Russia, whose rhetoric in the first years of his reign was very friendly towards the United States.

The two leaders quickly hit it off, but despite some improvements, "reset" quickly turned into "overload," as was mistakenly written on the famous button the Secretary of State gave to his colleague.

Dmitry, Deputy Director of the Center for European and International Studies, believes that such changes in relations between the two countries are connected with the initially impossible task that Obama set himself, because he planned not only to end the unnecessary Bush war in Iraq, but also to strengthen the US world leadership in a multipolar world. which is objectively impossible.

“Obama thought that maybe America just needs to change the style of behavior, and this will help him strengthen his influence on the world stage. However, all his further steps were associated with impossible tasks, and that is why he constantly corrected his course, since other countries denied and did not accept sole leadership, and neither Russia nor China would agree with this, ”the expert comments.

The interlocutor of Gazeta.Ru claims that it is with these failures that the cycles of Russian-American relations are connected. So, in 2010 there was a peak of relations between the two countries since the 1990s.

But under Obama, there was also a major decline in relationships. The expert considers this diplomatic crisis deeper than in 1999 and 2008. And this is due to the deep disappointment of the Obama administration in the actions of Russia.

The sharp deterioration was due to the events in Ukraine, in which both Moscow and Washington intervened. Despite the fact that the United States itself practically wrested Kosovo from Serbia, they could not come to terms with Russia's actions in Crimea.

The president of the Institute for Strategic Assessments believes that such a situation is quite natural and American policy can be called reactive. “The United States did not agree with the annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine, which is believed to have been unleashed not without our participation. No one expected such quick action from Russia. This is what led to the sanctions, which shows the lowest level of relations between the two countries,” the expert comments.

Conflicts in the Middle East

Speaking of foreign policy, the most important moment can be called Obama's desire to end the Iraq war. When Obama first ran for president in 2008, he called the Iraq war "the Bush administration's mistake" and promised to end it as soon as he took office. However, in the future, the process dragged on, and the troops were withdrawn from Iraq only after 18 months.

Alexander Konovalov believes that it was precisely this election promise that Obama managed to fulfill. “Of course, American troops still remain in Iraq, but they are already much smaller, most of them have been withdrawn, and the part that is still in Iraq is not involved in any major operations,” he explained in an interview with "Gazeta.Ru".

According to Dmitry Suslov, Barack Obama has always criticized the Bush administration for the war in Iraq and believed that the forcible establishment of a democratic regime in Iraq and Afghanistan would be impossible. However, the "Arab Spring" played against Obama's political line, disorienting him.

“It was she who, like the Bush administration, began to pursue an ideological foreign policy, but if Bush's policy was responsible, that is, after the overthrow of the dictatorial regime, Bush's task was to create a new state, then Obama's policy was not like that: he simply overthrew the former regime, and that's it.

And ISIS (, banned in Russia), taking advantage of this, occupied these territories. And this factor in Obama's policy, of course, can be called negative, since it provoked chaos after the change of political regime, and Libya, Syria, and Iraq are now facing such a problem, ”the expert comments.

Obama himself, already at the end of his presidency, will call Libya "a grave mistake." In 2011, led by his European allies, the US president launched a military intervention in Libya. The overthrow of the odious dictator, who did not threaten the United States in any way, led to chaos and the almost collapse of this country. Ironically, Obama was already the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, which he received "upfront" at the dawn of his presidency.

As a leading expert at Gulf State Analytics notes, Obama's policy in the Middle East has done some damage to his allies among the Persian Gulf countries and, in particular, Saudi Arabia: in the conflict in Yemen. In addition, the expert noted that the US Congress passed a legislative act that allows US citizens to sue the government of Saudi Arabia for the participation of its citizens in the events of September 11, 2001.

In Egypt, the Obama administration has also abandoned support for its ally in favor of a radical one. According to Karasik, Obama saw it as "an alternative form of power that could change the Middle East," but the result was chaos.

The only positive aspect of Obama's Middle East policy can be considered the successful signing of a nuclear agreement with Iran. However, in addition to the United States, Russia, Germany, France, Great Britain and China participated in it.

As noted by Dmitry Suslov, despite the fact that this moment is positive in relations between the two countries, the Trump administration may reverse this agreement. It is known that the elected President of the United States has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with this document.

Restoring relations with Cuba

The restoration of diplomatic relations with Cuba can be called the main positive foreign policy outcome of the Obama presidency. Alexander Konovalov of the Institute for Strategic Assessments calls this moment historic.

True, despite the fact that both sides reopened embassies decades later, and Obama made his historic visit to the island, the US trade embargo has not yet been lifted. To do this, you need to get the consent of Congress, which will be difficult.

And while the actions of the Obama administration have led to a significant improvement in relations, this has led to polarization between Democrats and Republicans within the United States, which is a strong minus, says Americanist Suslov.

Social politics

Obama's health care reform, Obamacare, can be called the main achievement in Obama's domestic policy. It became a kind of milestone in the development of American society.

For the first time in the United States, insurance and medical care became available to all citizens. More than 20 million Americans have received mandatory health insurance policies.

The reform, which Obama's opponents on the Republican right called "socialist", really helped many people in the country who do not have significant means.

Trump opposes this reform and has threatened to replace it with a new "insurance for all." According to Alexander Konovalov, this reform caused a strong resonance in the Senate, as the Republicans consider it too expensive. “Most likely, the new president will rebuild it, but it will no longer be possible to completely cancel it,” the expert told Gazeta.Ru.

Suslov, in turn, also believes that Obamacare has led to greater polarization between Republicans and Democrats, as well as between people with conservative and progressive views.

“The reform certainly set the bomb for Obama's next moves.

The Republicans began to torpedo further moves by Obama. It was a very important step and very necessary for the American society, but it led to negative consequences,” explains Suslov.

Another major aspect of domestic politics that has changed dramatically during Obama's presidency has been his handling of racial and gender discrimination. For example, the Obama administration decided to repeal the Clinton-era “Don’t Tell, Don’t Ask” law, according to which people with a non-traditional orientation could not serve in the US military if they did not hide their orientation, and also forbade command and colleagues to ask about her.

However, notes Dmitry Suslov, such progress has resulted in the strengthening of conservative ideas, and to some extent even racist sentiments.

The very fact that a black president came to power for the first time in the United States became historic, since before that, for a long time, African Americans could not even ride public transport with the white population of America.

Recovery after the crisis

The main success of domestic policy can be considered the overcoming of the economic crisis by the Obama administration, Dmitry Suslov believes: "He came in 2009 at the apogee of the financial crisis, and in a very short time he managed to reduce unemployment and reduce the state budget deficit."

During the Obama presidency, 14 million jobs were created in the United States, and the unemployment rate fell.

It is for this reason, according to an expert from the Russian International Affairs Council, that Obama leaves public service with such a high rating. “Overall, of the 12 presidents who have ruled America since World War II, Obama ranks eighth in terms of America's economic influence,” the expert comments.

In the dry matter

Summing up the results of Obama's presidency, Suslov notes that his rule was very controversial. “The main problem is high expectations.

In 2008, everyone was in euphoria during the election campaign and after the election. However, as it turned out later, Obama's promises to fundamentally change domestic political, economic and foreign policy are almost impossible to implement objectively.

To be sure, Obama made important moves, but increased the division of the American political system. And he increased resistance from conservatives and, to some extent, racist sentiments, which was one of the factors in Trump's victory, ”the expert comments.

This opinion is also shared by RIAC expert Maxim Suchkov: “Trump’s election is the most striking evidence of the disappointment of ordinary Americans with Obama’s initiatives and the psychological effect they had on the citizens’ perception of “their America”, which they think they are losing. In foreign policy, the miscalculations of the administration will shake international relations for a long time to come: the “Arab spring”, the collapse of statehood in Libya and Syria; strengthening of IG; Ukraine and the crisis in relations with Russia; breakdown of ties with traditional US allies such as Israel and Turkey.”

The American prison of Guantanamo is once again in the spotlight - recently 15 prisoners were transferred from there to the UAE. Barack Obama promised to close this prison during his first election campaign in 2008. However, the 44th owner of the White House has still not been able to fulfill this promise, although he leaves no hope of having time to realize his plan before the expiration of presidential powers. Meanwhile, presidential candidate Donald Trump has spoken out in favor of keeping the prison. Thus, Guantanamo threatens to become a living monument to Obama's broken promises. What else did the first black president promise to the Americans and what did he fulfill from this - Lenta.ru studied.

open wound

"Having become president, Barack Obama will close the prison center in Guantanamo Bay," the candidate's election program for the highest state post in the country clearly stated. Almost immediately after his election, Obama set about fulfilling his promise. "I have ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison center and I will seek a speedy and fair trial for the captured terrorists," he told Congress in 2009.

In 2011, however, he signed a decree that included additional restrictions on the transfer of prisoners from the camp, postponing its liquidation - as then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said, opposition from lawmakers did not allow the prison to close.

US President Barack Obama is making his last tour of Europe in this capacity. January 20, 2017 will be the inauguration of the 45th President of America, Donald Trump. Summing up his presidency, Obama, and the invasion of Libya - his biggest mistake. In eight years, Obama managed to receive the Nobel Prize, legalize same-sex marriages, start and end several military campaigns, destroy the "terrorist number one" Osama bin Laden and launch an operation against ISIS in Iraq and Syria (the organization is banned and recognized as a terrorist organization). The results of his activities in photographs are in the RBC selection.

Introduction of the obligatory medical insurance program Obamacare

One of the first reforms carried out by Barack Obama as president was the compulsory health insurance program for all US citizens, known as Obamacare. Its cost in 2016-2025 is estimated at $1.207 trillion. The health care reform has led to the fact that now 60% of the country's citizens can purchase a minimum health insurance plan for less than $100, and the proportion of people without insurance has decreased to 8.6% (data from the first quarter of 2016). Before the reform, 15.7% of Americans did not have health insurance (first quarter 2010).

Opponents of the reform point to the fact that it caused a general increase in health care costs and negative changes in the insurance market, including the exit of some companies from it. According to official data, spending by Americans on medical care has indeed increased - in 2014 by 5.3%.

Changing the procedure for issuing loans for education

Obama changed the way government loans for education are issued and repaid. If earlier payments were fixed, now they have become 10% of the part of personal income remaining after paying taxes and meeting basic needs. In addition, the part of the loan that remains unpaid after 20 years from the beginning of its repayment is forgiven (previously this period was 25 years).

For the third quarter of 2016, the total amount of debt on educational loans in the United States is $ 1.26 trillion, 11.6% of loans are overdue payments (in 2012, the share of overdue payments was at least 14%).

Obama's wife Michelle (on the picture) supports educational programs for girls in developing countries.

Closing the Guantanamo Bay Prison

Since taking office, Barack Obama has called on Congress to close the Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba. Prisoners held in this center are accused of particularly serious crimes - in particular, terrorism and waging war on the side of the enemy. In early 2016, the Pentagon submitted a plan to Congress to close the prison. Under the plan, 35 of the 91 inmates in prison are scheduled to be transferred out of prison in 2016, with the rest either extradited or transferred to other prisons across the United States.

The one-time costs of transferring prisoners and closing the prison are estimated at $290 million to $475 million. At the same time, the annual costs of the US authorities would be reduced by $65-85 million. However, Congress did not support the proposed plan.

The fight against unemployment

In January 2009, the unemployment rate in the United States was 7.8%, and at the end of September 2016, according to the US Department of Labor, it was 5%.

On the picture: Barack Obama and his dog Bo at the White House. March 2012

Fight against global warming

Since the start of President Obama's first term, targeted loans from the US Department of Energy have increased the nation's solar power generation 30-fold. In addition to direct investment, the government simultaneously introduced the Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. In addition, Obama tightened the requirements for car manufacturers, forcing them to make more energy efficient engines.

According to the US Department of Energy, total US carbon dioxide emissions in 2015 amounted to almost 5.3 billion metric tons - about 2% less than in 2009, and since 2005 emissions have fallen by 11.7%.

On the picture: Barack Obama and the Mackintosh family (Iowa farmers) in August 2012

Reducing the share of military spending

The share of military spending in GDP decreased by 1.32 percentage points and in 2015 amounted to 3.32%. Military spending fell by 10.9%.

On the picture: Barack Obama during a meeting with voters in Chicago. November 2012

Growing public debt

The total amount of US government debt obligations since the beginning of Obama's first term has grown by 83% and as of October 1, 2016, exceeded $19.57 trillion.

Rising healthcare costs

Growth in public spending on health per capita was 19% (data as of the beginning of 2015), and neonatal mortality fell by 14.3%. The US population increased by 4.8%.

On the picture: Barack Obama and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. June 2015

GDP growth

US GDP growth from 2009 to 2015 was 24.5%

End of military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan

After taking office in 2009, Barack Obama began withdrawing US troops from Iraq. At that time, a contingent of about 150 thousand people remained there. By the beginning of 2010, about 50,000 US troops remained in Iraq - the so-called transitional forces. In 2011, Obama announced that the US had fully completed the withdrawal of troops.

There were 36,000 US troops in Afghanistan when Obama became president in 2008, and in 2009 he deployed 17,000 more to boost security. In 2011, the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan began. Currently, there are still 9.8 thousand US military in the country. In July 2016, Obama said that by the end of his presidential term in December 2016, their number would be reduced to 8.4 thousand.

Conclusion of the Iran deal

In July 2015, six international negotiators (Russia, the US, China, the UK, France and Germany) agreed with Iran that Tehran would not produce nuclear weapons. Iran has pledged to use nuclear facilities exclusively for the production of peaceful atom. In exchange for this, the UN Security Council, the United States and the European Union are going to lift economic and financial sanctions from Iran.

Negotiations on Iran's nuclear program lasted for more than 10 years, but the parties were able to achieve progress, and then an agreement, only with the participation of the Obama administration.

On thea photo: Obama leaves Saudi Arabia after meeting with the king to discuss the terms of the Iran nuclear deal, 2009

Renewal of relations with Cuba

In 2015, the US resumed diplomatic relations with Cuba, and in 2016, Obama became the first US president in 88 years to visit the island. The two countries have partially lifted restrictions imposed on each other, but the most serious sanctions - for example, the US trade embargo - remain in place.

Last speech at the UN General Assembly

In September 2016, Obama made his last speech at the UN General Assembly as President of the United States. He summed up the work of his administration and noted the foreign policy successes of recent years.

“Many times in the past, people believed that the world had finally reached the age of enlightenment, but then returned to the path of conflict and suffering. Perhaps this is the fate of our generation as well,” Obama said at the end of his speech. - We must not forget the choice of individuals, which led to world wars. But we must also remember the decisions of those who created the UN to put an end to such wars.”

Support for Clinton during the US election campaign

During the campaign, Obama supported Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. He called her the most suitable head of state than anyone else in history. After the defeat of Clinton, Obama received Trump in the White House and promised to give him every support in the transfer of power.

A month and a half before the election of a new US president, the current head of the American state delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly. This is the final speech of B. Obama from such a high rostrum - the G7 and G20 summits, NATO and TTIP meetings, WTO and OAS gatherings will not take place until November 2016.
The final view of the Nobel laureate on international problems is distinguished by the freshness of thought and the flexibility of images as a means of disguising the disappointing results of his own activities.

"Some large countries violate the principles of international law, reject legislative and moral restrictions"- said B. Obama. “This serves as a lamentable illustration of the imperfection and fragility of the established world order.”

Horror. But it is the US authorities who painted the picture of the modern world order! Following the results of its victory in the Cold War, the only superpower sculpted this canvas with a roller of military superiority and a brush of political dictate, retouched by its own exclusivity and impunity. International law was systematically violated by Washington, morality with truth was bent under violations after the fact - isn't this the reason for the fragility of peace on the planet?

"Individual powers use force in foreign policy to strengthen influence, greatness and glory",- complained. B. Obama. Not afraid to name such powers, and for some reason the United States was not among those named.

Famous. In the reality of the outgoing president, there is no place for the dismemberment of Yugoslavia and the salvation of Somalia from statehood, the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Libyan and Syrian campaigns, the organization of velvet and spiked coups. There is no place for torture in the Abu Ghraib prison and force-feeding of prisoners in the Guantanamo prison, air strikes on Afghan hospitals and Yemeni weddings, and other US military actions in all parts of the world.
Literally the day after the UN speech, the "peace-loving" Pentagon asked the speaker to increase the US Army contingent in Iraq. From where Mr. Obama victoriously withdrew American troops back in 2011. To consolidate the greatness and influence of the US Democratic Party, the terrorists should be gloriously defeated - in October 2016, a couple of weeks before the presidential election. Paris is worth the Mass, the internal vote is worth the extra blood of the outside aborigines...

"Our world is facing serious challenges"- continued B. Obama. The most dangerous is the instability of the financial system, the lack of security in the Middle East and the flow of refugees from the hot spots of the planet to the points of well-being.

Your entire back is white. The leader of the state with an official external debt of over 20 trillion is broadcasting about the instability of the global financial system. $, which is much more than the inflated bubble of US GDP! All management, all headquarters and all leading personnel of international financial organizations are located in the United States and act in the interests of the United States. An independent step by individual leaders ends with a maid in a hotel room and a shameful resignation. Attempts to defend their own interests entail huge fines (Volkswagen, Deutsche Bank, etc.), they are forced to humbly beg for business permits. largest European aircraft manufacturer Airbus S.A.S. for the supply of aircraft to Iran beats foreheads ... in front of the Ministry of Finance USA. Otherwise, he risks a permanent defeat in financial rights.

The lack of security in the Middle East, millions of refugees from devastated regions - who is to blame for the bomb "democratization" of states and peoples?
Why are people fleeing "free" Iraq and not fleeing "authoritarian" Algeria?
Why did the liquidation of the color revolution in Egypt lead to the stabilization of the country, and the "revolutionary triumph" of Libya gave rise to the nightmare of jihadism and slavery, smuggling of people and drugs?
Who plowed Iraq under the weeds of radical bigotry?
Who has been eradicating the Afghan Taliban for 15 years and is now seeking their support in order to pacify the mountainous country?
Who delivered a disarming strike on the weak Libyan air defense in March 2011, who allowed NATO aircraft to swagger in the Libyan sky and Western special forces on Libyan soil?
Nobel speaker at the UN, deploring the surplus of refugees and the lack of security. The global bomb leader did not allow even 0.5% of the last wave of migrants to enter their own country.

B. Obama criticized a large number of foreign governments for suppressing protests, for censoring the flow of information and interfering with the media.

Iron! Massive African-American protests in the US itself seem to have dispersed under the influence of scattered candies and banknotes, and constant police killings began to enjoy the full approval of all sections of society. Censoring information complicates the work of total espionage systems such as PRISM and is extremely dangerous. The ability of senior officials (applicants for the position of US President!) to violate the elementary norms of network security and party ethics apparently also received universal recognition. Informational upstarts like D. Assange and E. Snowden maliciously interfered in the work of the CIA and will certainly face an “honest and impartial” court. Like S. Hussein in 2006 and M. Gaddafi in 2011.

“Terrorists influence youth through modern media, generate violence and lawlessness, paradoxically threatening our (Western) world with our own technologies”, - B. Obama complained to the space in front of the UN podium.

Wow! The paradoxes of the Western world are in the direct and repeated contacts of the leader of the black caliphate with the delegations of American senators. In the supply and training of the “right” terrorists who, in the active phase, incorrectly execute American citizens. The paradox is in the air strikes on the Syrian army, which has been opposing black thugs for a year. The menacing calls for peace against the backdrop of military, political, financial and diplomatic support for terrorists are paradoxical - moreover, the calls-threats are addressed to other participants in the conflict.

"The international community needs to work with those who seek to build and reject the supporters of destruction"- summarized B. Obama.

That is why the international community retires US President No. 44 without much regret. He managed to reduce the costs of his predecessor's foreign policy adventures for the United States itself. Thousands of US Army contingents (170,000 in Iraq, 75,000 in Afghanistan) have 90% returned to their places of permanent deployment. The trillion-dollar US budget spending on building Iraqi and Afghan democracies has been stopped. The destruction of Libya and participation in the destruction of Syria, fueling and organizing protests in the interests of the global leader are much more effective than direct intervention, occupation and diktat.

The creation of chaos thousands of kilometers from the borders of the United States - and in close proximity to all strategic opponents of the United States - is the main result of B. Obama's foreign policy activities. This can be explained by the complexity of American politics, and the decline in the potential of American leadership, and the laziness of some officials and the professionalism a la Jen Psaki of others, and hundreds of other reasons.
But such is the objective reality of our fragile world by the end of 2016.
In a place of honor in the office of the soon-to-be-retired, a certificate from the CIA and a trophy from the NSA is more appropriate than a diploma from the Nobel Committee, issued in advance in early 2009.

US President Barack Obama will not appear on the list of candidates this November, but his latest address to the nation was filled with typical campaign gimmicks designed to keep his own party in power.

As usual, Obama called for hope over fear. The president spoke out against the grim sentiment that underpins the Republican Party's rhetoric and called on the nation to rally against Republican frontman Donald Trump's attacks on Muslims and immigrants. He launched a call for economic justice, clearly wanting to steer the election in a Democratic-friendly direction.

If that sounds familiar, it should be: the handling of his optimistic tone and calls for unity clearly echoes the 2004 Democratic National Convention speech that brought Obama national prominence.

Now, however, as he prepares to leave the scene, his message is no less reminiscent of the broken promises Obama made in 2008. Then he promised unity. Instead, the US got seven years of bitter partisan confrontation between the president and Congress.

The President of the United States admitted that for him this was "one of the few reasons for regret" - "that the anger and suspicion between the parties only became stronger."

Among other things, Obama mentioned that Syria and Ukraine are moving out of Russia's orbit of influence:

“Today, we are threatened not so much by the “Evil Empire” as by countries that are falling apart before our eyes. The Middle East is going through a period of transformation that will last generations, but is rooted in conflicts with thousands of years of history. From the transition period in the Chinese economy, waves diverge around the world. Russia, at a time when its economy is falling, is spending significant resources on supporting Ukraine and Syria, countries that are falling out of its orbit of influence.”

Detained sailors

A few hours before the speech, Iran detained 10 American sailors, giving the event a disturbing note and recalling public concerns about terrorism and the threat from abroad that all presidential candidates, including Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, have to deal with.

Obama did not mention the sailors, prompting attacks from Republicans who say the president has weakened the US position. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who along with Trump leads the Republicans:

“Today's speech was not so much an appeal to the nation as a flight. We need a president who can defeat radical Islamic terrorism.”

Republicans are not without reason so constant in their arguments. Despite claims that the US is "the world's strongest and most resilient economy," Obama was addressing a public concerned about stagnant middle-class incomes and the threat of terrorism. According to a CBS-New York poll Times, held from January 7 to 10, 65% of Americans believe that the country is moving in the wrong direction.

40 rubles per liter

Nevertheless, Obama had something to brag about in his last address. He reminded Americans that the auto industry "has just wrapped up the best year in its history." The President did not forget to rejoice at the prices of gasoline.

When he took office - shortly after the financial collapse - the US was losing 800,000 jobs a month. In 2014 and 2015 job growth compared to the previous year was the highest since the boom of the 1990s. Index S&P 500 has more than doubled, and the 5% unemployment rate is close to what many economists consider full employment.

Among many explicit, though indirect, references to Republican presidential campaign rhetoric, Obama stated:

"Anyone who claims that the American economy is in decline is passing off his fantasies as reality."

Economic results

Determining the economic performance of the Obama administration is critical to the prospects of a Democratic candidate who, if elected, will inevitably bear political responsibility for the decisions of the incumbent. Although Clinton insists her rule will not turn into "Obama's third term," she tweeted Tuesday night:

“America is a better place thanks to Obama's leadership. I proudly call him my friend. Let's continue his endeavors."

The address gave Obama a chance to return public attention to the Democratic theses, which were largely squeezed out of the news by a more lively race within the Republican Party and the provocative rhetoric of its favorites, primarily Trump and Cruz.

Trump also responded to the Twitter speech - with his usual attack, calling Obama's address "very boring, slow and sluggish."

Republican response

Trump himself was also besieged by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who issued the Republican Party's official response to Obama's speech. By choosing to do so, Haley, a U.S. Indigenous representative, the Republicans attempted to portray the party as ethnically diverse and open to women's empowerment. Despite being critical of Obama, Haley warned that “in troubled times, we can be called like a siren song by the most furious voices. We must resist this temptation."

The White House has gone to great lengths to make the most of its speech time by inviting NBC to broadcast from the White House and promoting the message through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Medium.

Obama called our time "an era of extraordinary change," adding, "These changes can either empower us or increase inequality. And whether we like it or not, the pace of this change will only increase.”

"Equal Opportunities"

His focus on maintaining "equal opportunity" for all Americans in a rapidly changing economy as a central issue in the coming years echoes the theme of his 2012 campaign against Mitt Romney. Obama said:

“Working families will not get more opportunities or more money by letting the big banks, oil companies or hedge funds set their own rules at someone else's expense. In this new economy, workers, startups and small businesses need to be heard.”

This approach relies on the natural advantage of the Democratic Party. As polls regularly show, voters by a large margin believe that Democrats are able to take care of ordinary people more than Republicans.

But despite all the lofty rhetoric, Obama has not gone far from simply trying to undermine the position of the Republicans, although he did not name any names.

Clearly referring to Republican candidates' denial of climate change science, Obama said:

"When the Russians beat us up in space, we didn't deny that a satellite exists."

Then, with a barely concealed reference to Trump and Cruz, Obama said that the response to the threats “should not come down to insults or calls for carpet bombing of civilians. It might work as TV propaganda, but it won't work on the world stage."