On Wednesday, Obama returns to the IL capital at the twilight of his political career, pleading once again for the type of national unity that has eluded him as president.
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“In America, politicians should not pick their voters; voters should pick their politicians”, Obama said.
Next year I’ll still hold the most important title of all, and that’s the title of citizen.
For one, Obama used to be a member of the Illinois Senate.
President Barack Obama has arrived at the IL state Capitol in Springfield where he is addressing lawmakers about how elected officials can work better together. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the Legislature can’t agree on a state budget and the stalemate is entering its eighth month. Dunkin will face a Madigan-backed opponent, Julianna Stratton, in the March 15 primary.
Obama said reaching political compromise across the aisle “doesn’t make me a sell out to my own party”. That’s how we end up with the well-connected who publicly demand that government stay out of their business but then whisper in its ear for special treatment.
“It’s hard to believe that nine years have gone by since that freezing but bright and sunny day on the steps of the Old State Capitol Building”.
“I remember the last conversation I had with a Republican whose name I won’t mention – we had been talking for months, and we had taken every idea that he had suggested and we had said if this doesn’t work, is there another way you want to do it – and he just finally turned to me – I was sitting in the Oval Office – and he said, you know what, Mr. President, I got to admit there’s no change that allows me to vote for this thing”, Obama said.
“Rather than reward the most extreme voices, or the most divisive language, or who is best at launching schoolyard taunts, we should insist on a higher form of political discourse in our common life, one based on empathy and respect.”
Obama has previously said Bentoh’s was his favorite during legislative sessions, but like many local businesses, they were forced to leave downtown as attacks on the state workforce damage Springfield’s economy.
Less than 24 hours after voters in New Hampshire picked Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, two insurgent candidates who are challenging the orthodoxies of their respective parties, America is a darker place for Obama.
At various points in his speech, Obama noted that while Democrats would stand and applaud, Republican stayed largely in their seats – a symbol of the political divide in Washington. Which is why, in my final State of the Union address, and in the one before that, I had to acknowledge that one of my few regrets is my inability to reduce the polarization and meanness in our politics. “I was able to be part of that here, and yet couldn’t translate it the way I wanted into our politics in Washington”.
“This shouldn’t be controversial”, Obama said, noticing the difference in response. This is what will be a focus of mine over the course of this year and beyond: What can we do, all of us, together, to try to make our politics better?
That progress aside, Obama’s determination to change “the ways of Washington” has shown few signs of being realized – a fact Obama acknowledged Wednesday.
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Obama says the moment was his first lesson in humility.
