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Republicans, Democrats View Trump's Speech Differently

VOA News

   Not surprisingly, Republicans praised U.S. President Donald Trump's
   State of the Union speech as a celebration of his administration's
   economic achievements and foreign policy initiatives, while Democrats
   criticized the president as delivering a divisive address focused on
   appealing to his base and pandering to groups he claimed to be helping.

   "I think what we were missing were more unifying notes," Democratic
   Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois told VOA. "I think that the
   high points were when he talks about the heroism of everyday Americans
   and people in uniform. I think the low points are when he basically
   divides people, picks on people, talks down on immigrants, and I just
   don't think that's the way to go."

   Congressman Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat, called Trump's address
   Tuesday night "the most divisive speech" a president had ever given in
   the House chamber.

   "He not only didn't build any bridges to find common ground, he
   actually was taking out the hatchet and destroying what bridges exist.
   He doubled down on the divisive issues like immigration, like
   healthcare, like tax policy. He exploited people tonight for political
   purpose."

   Republicans who spoke to VOA saw the speech differently and said it was
   Democrats who were not willing to reach out to the other side of the
   aisle.

   "He talked about inclusive successes and he gave example after example
   of them," Congressman Dan Bishop of North Carolina said. "I think
   Democrats have to be willing to join him on a crusade of success."

   Congressman Jody Hice of Georgia said if any speech were to bring unity
   to the United States, the one Trump gave would be it.

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