Some residents: Obama's speech will focus on economy

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January 23, 2012

By Jake Palmateer Staff Writer The Daily Star Mon Jan 23, 2012, 02:30 AM EST

ONEONTA _ The economy will be the leading message of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, according to several area residents who gave their predictions Sunday.

But the president will also likely use the occasion as a way to boost his re-election bid, they said.

Obama is set to deliver the speech Tuesday. He previewed it Saturday in a video on his campaign website.

"We can go in two directions. One is towards less opportunity and less fairness. Or we can fight for where I think we need to go: building an economy that works for everyone, not just a wealthy few," he said in the video.

While standing outside Southside Mall on Sunday, Gale and Dennis Longtin of Walton said they support the president and will probably watch the primetime speech.

"Give the man a chance," Gale Longtin, 61, said.

Dennis Longtin said the president is leading the country in the right direction.

"What bothers me more than anything else is Congress. It's a do-nothing Congress," he said.

Gale Longtin said she and her husband are Democrats.

"I don't like what the Republicans are spreading," she said. "The rich get all the breaks and we get none."

Dennis Longtin said the State of the Union address will likely align with the presidents re-election campaign

"It's the name of the game," he said.

Ronald Spaulding, 69, and his wife, Christina Spaulding, 65, of Bainbridge, said they are planning on watching the speech. The couple had just finished watching the movie "We Bought a Zoo" and were headed to Applebee's for dinner.

They also said the president deserves a chance and have been thwarted by Congress.

"He's had good ideas. The Senate and House haven't been working together," Ronald Spaulding said.

His wife said she expects Obama to focus on jobs and the economy, and she said Congress needs to help.

"They've got to be able to allow our president to do things," Christina Spaulding said.

But at the Stewart's on Main Street, Laurie MacCracken, 57, her husband, Jack MacCracken, 58, of Worcester, had a different perspective as they ate ice cream and sipped milkshakes with other family members.

They said they would probably not be watching the president speak Tuesday.

"We are more interested in the Republican primaries," Laurie MaCracken said, noting that in an election year, the State of the Union address would be more like a campaign speech.

But she said she expects the president to key in on the economy.

As for the field of four GOP candidates, MacCracken said she remains undecided.

But her husband, who said he is "not a fan" of Obama, sided with the voters in North Carolina, where Newt Gingrich cruised to a primary victory Saturday.

"I like Newt myself," Jack MacCracken said. "I think he's got a lot of good ideas. His character sometimes offends people."