Obama Regrets Not Unifying America

In his final State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Barack Obama implored Americans to take part in the democratic process. “Whatever you may believe, whether you prefer one party or no party, our collective future depends on your willingness to uphold your obligations as a citizen,” he said. Obama also acknowledged that the country was more divided than it was when he took office. “It’s one of the few regrets of my presidency — that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better,” he said. Obama also appealed to Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership, emphasized his proposal to lift the Cuban embargo, and again vowed to close the prison at Guantanamo—a failed promise he has made in previous State of the Union addresses. The president also described the country as “strong,” “clear-eyed,” and “big-hearted.”