WASHINGTON -- In his first joint address to Congress in 2009, President Barack Obama pledged to responsibly end the Iraq War. Seven years later, the president finds himself on the verge of passing another war in Iraq to his successor as his critics accuse him of overseeing a decline in American leadership in the Middle East that could lead to global instability.
In his final State of the Union address on Tuesday, Obama sought to appropriately convey the threat posed by the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
“In today’s world, even a handful of terrorists who place no value on human life, including their own, can do a lot of damage,” Obama acknowledged. “But as we focus on destroying ISIL, over-the-top claims that this is World War III just play into their hands,” he continued, using the administration’s preferred term for the Islamic State group.
Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie claimed last month that the U.S. is already experiencing World War III, with “radical Islamic jihadists” pitted against Americans. Without mentioning the New Jersey governor by name, Obama rejected the notion that the Islamic State group threatens U.S. survival.
“We don’t need to build them up to show that we’re serious, nor do we need to push away vital allies in this fight by echoing the lie that ISIL is representative of one of the world’s largest religions,” Obama continued, referring to several Republican candidates who insist on describing the current U.S. conflict as a war against “radical Islam.”
“We just need to call them what they are -- killers and fanatics who have to be rooted out, hunted down and destroyed,” Obama said.
Obama’s persistent warnings against exaggerating the threat posed by the Islamic State are indirect justifications for limited and measured military actions in Iraq and Syria. On Tuesday, the president reiterated his belief that daily airstrikes, combined with support for local ground troops, while working in coordination with global allies is preferable to the nation-building approach embraced by his predecessor.
“American leadership in the 21st century is not a choice between ignoring the rest of the world -- except when we kill terrorists -- or occupying and rebuilding whatever society is unraveling,” Obama said. “Leadership means a wise application of military power, and rallying the world behind causes that are right.”
Not to be confused with a pacifist, Obama boasted of the success of his past efforts to take out terrorists without deploying large-scale ground troops.
“If you doubt America’s commitment -- or mine -- to see that justice is done, ask Osama bin Laden. Ask the leader of al Qaeda in Yemen, who was taken out last year, or the perpetrator of the Benghazi attacks, who sits in a prison cell,” he said Tuesday. “When you come after Americans, we go after you. It may take time, but we have long memories, and our reach has no limit.”
Indeed, Obama’s current strategy is unlikely to achieve objective success by the end of his presidency. Despite 20,000 airstrikes against Islamic State targets, and recent territorial setbacks in Iraq, the group still controls swaths of land in Syria, where the anarchy created by the civil war there allows the Islamic State to survive.
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Obama's Final State Of The Union
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US President Barack Obama (C) greets supporters after the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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U.S. President Barack Obama talks with members of congress and signs an autograph as he departs after delivering his State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
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U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (Top L) as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) looks on after delivering the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. Also pictured are Vice President Joe Biden (L) and U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). (credit:Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama gestures after the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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U.S. President Barack Obama gestures as he delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (credit:Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
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National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell take a selfie together after US President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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U.S. President Barack Obama autographs the cast of Senate GOP floor manager Laura Dove as he departs after delivering his State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama speaks during the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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US First Lady Michelle Obama sits beside an empty chair (L) as her husband US President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2016. The White House said that one seat in the First Lady's box 'will be left empty for the victims of gun violence who no longer have a voice.' (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama is applauded as he gives his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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US President Barack Obama speaks during the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill January 12, 2016 in Washington, D.C. In his final State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (Photo by Evan Vucci - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
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US Vice President Joe Biden claps as House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-WI, looks on as US President Barack Obama speaks during the State of the Union Address in a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama speaks during the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill January 12, 2016 in Washington, D.C. In his final State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill January 12, 2016 in Washington, D.C. In his final State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
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(L-R) Gov. Dannel P. Malloy of Connecticut, first lady Michelle Obama, Naveed Shah of Springfield, VA., and wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden give applause as US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., listen as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Gabby Giffords (2nd-R) and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) (R) listen to US President Barack Obama deliver the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2016. Obama gives his final State of the Union address, perhaps the last opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election. AFP PHOTO/NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
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Supreme Court Justices listen as US President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2016. AFP PHOTO / NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama is shown on a television monitor inside the US Capitol Building as he gives his the State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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US President Barack Obama (C) speaks as House Speaker Paul Ryan ( back R), R-WI, and US Vice President Joe Biden speak during the State of the Union Address in a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB / AFP / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2016. This is Obama's final State of the Union address, perhaps the last opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election. AFP PHOTO/NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledges applause before delivering the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Little Sisters of the Poor (C) arrive before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama speaks during the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB / AFP / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: U.S. President Barack Obama (C) delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. Also pictured are Vice President Joe Biden (L) and U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
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UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12 - President Barack Obama speaks during his final State of the Union to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (Photo By Al Drago/CQ Roll Call) (credit:Congressional Quarterly via Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama smiles during the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB / AFP / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama gestures as he arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, before giving his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy of Connecticut (Center-L) and first lady Michelle Obama, talk before US President Barack Obama arrives before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama greets former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, before giving his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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US President Barack Obama (R) is greeted by US Vice President Joe Biden (L) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (2nd-L) prior to Obama's State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2016. This is Obama's final State of the Union address, perhaps the last opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election. AFP PHOTO/NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama shakes hands with House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as Vice President Joe Biden watches before the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12 - President Barack Obama greets elected officials as he enters his final State of the Union to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (Photo By Al Drago/CQ Roll Call) (credit:Congressional Quarterly via Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama hugs Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, before giving his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress . (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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President Barack Obama arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, to give his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks with members of congress before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
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First lady Michelle Obama, standing next to Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, waves on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, prior to the start of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, from left, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Stephen Breyer, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor arrive before President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (L) of Vermont arrives prior to US President Barack Obama's State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2016. This is Obama's final State of the Union address, perhaps the last opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election. (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
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Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada looks up into the balcony before President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), shakes hands with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) looks on before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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US Vice President Joe Biden gestures before the arrival of US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (credit:Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) embrace before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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House Speaker Paul Ryan (R), R-WI, shakes hands with US Vice President Joe Biden before the arrival of US President Barack Obama before the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) arrives before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., sits in the House chamber before President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) (Center-R) takes a selfie with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK) before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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US Presidential hopeful and Senator, Bernie Sanders (L), speaks with other guests before the arrival of US President Barack Obama before the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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Ahmad Alkhalaf, 9, arrives before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
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House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-WI, lifts his gavel as he waits for the arrival of US President Barack Obama before the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-WI, looks on as he waits for the arrival of US President Barack Obama before the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address Tuesday, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., left, talks with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Kim Davis (C), the Rowan County clerk in Kentucky, arrives before US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. Kim Davis, a born-again Christian, was jailed briefly in September 2015 for contempt of court after refusing to issue marriage licenses due to her opposition to gay marriage, which the Supreme Court legalized across the United States in June. Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address, perhaps the last big opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election race. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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The dome of the Capitol building is seen illuminated at dusk prior to U.S. President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. Obama said he regrets that political divisiveness in the U.S. grew during his seven years in the White House and he plans to use his final State of the Union address Tuesday night to call for the nation to unite. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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