before a congress controlled by republicans president obama spoke of a resurgent america following years of economic turmoil and threats to our security he said we have turned the page. >> the shadow of crisis has passed. and the state of the union is strong. (applause). >> describing his vision for the years ahead the president touched on familiar themes like expanded childcare paid

sick leave and more affordable college tuitions. he pledged his remaining time in office will focus on the lives of the struggling middle class. >> we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort.

lives of the struggling middle class. >> we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort. >> but his idea for fostering that economy is a political. big tax hikes over 10 years on

determined outside of washington. most notably the state of race relations and the growing tension between law enforcement and citizens. >> we may have different takes on the events of ferguson and new york but surely we can understand a father who fears his son can't walk home without being harassed and

understand a father who fears his son can't walk home without being harassed and surely we can understand the wife who won't rest until the police officer she married walks through the front door at the end of his shift. that's how we start rebuilding trust. >> quite a speech tonight and local leaders are responding. the governor of delaware jack markell said that our country's future prosperity