Delaware’s senior Senator says he thinks President Obama’s annual State of the Union speech will focus on a few key issues.
Senator Tom Carper (D-Delaware) says he and other Democratic lawmakers got a preview of the speech during a recent caucus retreat. Tax reform, trade, cyber security and measures to accelerate an already improving economy are likely to be on the President’s agenda for the coming year.
Carper adds he thinks Obama will strike a constructive tone on issues where Democrats can collaborate with their Republican counterparts.
"The message as he saw it, and as I saw it, coming out of the election was that one, people want us to work together, two, they want us to get things done. They want us to continue strengthening the economic recovery," Carper told Delaware Public Media.
Carper adds that Obama will also likely highlight his plan to make community college free to all Americans.
Carper likes the plan, adding it’s similar to programs in Delaware that expands access to high education.
"We need to make greater use of our junior college, technical college and community college systems," said Carper. "And he has a very good idea, sort of like the ASPIRE or SEED program here in Delaware."
The president is set to address the nation live at 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Tune in to Delaware Public Media (91.1 WDDE and 91.7 WMPH) to hear live coverage and analysis from NPR.