Sound-Off: State of the Union

Students gathered Tuesday in the Old Trinity Room to watch President Barak Obama’s State of the Union address. The viewing party was organized jointly by Duke Political Union, Duke College Republicans and Duke Democrats. In an astounding act of bipartisanship, students of all political affiliations answered the questions of The Chronicle’s Matt Barnett.

“I thought [Obama] did a good job trying to reconcile two very different opinions, but I think there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed. I would have liked to hear more about the health care plan and more about the deficit, but I think it’s going to take a while for the American people to decide what they really think about it, and we have a long way to go.”

—freshman Alissa Wall, a member of DCR

“I thought it was very optimistic. I think that he glossed over some details, but I do hope he follows the trajectory of the speech.”

—junior Taylor Callobre, who sometimes attends Duke Dems events

“I think it was wonderful. I think it was innovative and sharp. I took a lot away from it. I think it gave us a sense of what we can do as individuals to improve the country to move us all forward, together.”

—freshman Marcus Benning

“I thought that it was a good speech. I thought that he highlighted education, innovation and infrastructure as the three main things that we need to work on. He gave a firm blueprint.... The whole thing was centered on [America] having a stronger economy. I thought that his speech last year was much better.”

—sophomore Charles West, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

“I thought he kind of got back in the hang of the speaking that I remember him for from when he campaigned. It was very moving. I was actually talking to some of my friends around me that were Republican, and they were saying that they were actually impressed with him. Hopefully he’ll get back to his goal of bipartisan cooperation—the tone he struck after the Tucson tragedies. It was unifying in some sense, and it was inspirational, as well.”

—sophomore Colin Baker, a registered independent

“I thought Obama’s speech was very good. He definitely had a ‘bend-dont-break’ attitude towards domestic legislation for the upcoming year. I think that’s definitely a risky move trying to work with the Republicans because it hasn’t worked for the past few years, but it definitely is optimistic and promising and uplifting, so I enjoyed that. I want to see how his words actually play out in actions.”

—freshman Eli Kozin, a member of Duke Dems

“I think it’s good that someone organized [the watch party], and I think it’s cool that all the political groups are together to do this.”

—sophomore Sarah Van Name, who considers herself liberal

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