State of Union address 2010

Tonight, Barack Obama will address both chambers of Congress and more important, the American people. He hopes to revive the fortunes of his presidency and his party, and to assure Americans of the government's commitment to their livelihood. I will be listening to him with a critical ear. For Obama, the following elements will be important for his address, and the ones that I will focus on:

1) The economy: Obama needs to stay focused on this one issue. Most Americans are worried about their jobs, homes and finances. Even the employed and moderately wealthy are worried. They want assurance from the president about their economic security and futures, above all else. The economy is a complicated subject, but it is still the most vital.

2) Fewer issues: Obama should avoid the many issues that face his administration, including health care reform, Afghanistan, climate change, immigration. Touching them will only highlight the deficiencies. Liberals will wonder why he hasn't been moving on them; conservatives will wonder why they are being addressed.

3) Moving centre: The nation is shifting right. Obama will likely need to move centre in his politics, and re-engage with the Republicans. Tonight, we can see how much ground he is willing to give. Members of his own party and liberals will also be watching closely.

4) Keeping it simple: More important than ever, keeping the address short and simple benefits Obama and the audience. I understand the topics are complicated, and message several, but the address needs to stay succinct and intelligible for the non-political junkie.

5) Rapport with the citizens: A major criticism of Obama is that he has lost touch with ordinary Americans. Tonight, on national television, he will have the opportunity. He needs to commiserate with our worries and hopes, and show himself as a "common man". Rebuilding trust with the people is the first step, regardless of how ambitious he wants his next three years.

I'll be back after 10 with brief thoughts on the speech...

*Updated: overall, the address was forceful and engaging. Obama focused on jobs and the economy, and he reached across the aisle and to ordinary people. I liked his use of humour and sarcasm, and his pointed remarks toward large corporations and recalcitrant lobbyists. Nonetheless, some of his language was too confrontational. His criticism of the Supreme Court was unwarranted (the Judiciary interprets the law, however unfairly, not the Executive). Finally, his efforts to tie to ordinary Americans seemed scattered and insufficient. Most of the issues and criticisms he discussed focused within the government - which it should - but difficult to relate to those without a political science or economics degree.