Last Tuesday evening, President Obama delivered the 2015 State of the Union address. Like all modern State of the Union addresses, the speech was promoting policy on the surface but, in reality, was more or less a public relations stunt, giving the president a nice big podium to sing his own praises. One has to analyze the State of the Union through the lens of public relations. When treated as such, Obama succeeded brilliantly, showing off his witty character and presidential style. Despite some egregious comments and incredible promises made, he was bold, confident and optimistic throughout the speech, traits which are the talismans of exceptional leadership or, at the very least, exceptional public speaking. Regardless of policy, the legacy of the Obama administration will be notable in part because of speeches like this.

This speech came at a critical junction for Obama; the remainder of his term will now constitute a "lame duck presidency," which, along with a Republican-majority Congress, threatens to undermine his productivity. Recent implications do look favorable, however. Obama’s approval rating rose to 50 percent in January, and recent economic recovery will hopefully aid the passing of his 2015 budget proposal.

This specific address—his second to last—was notable before the cameras even started rolling. First, in an unprecedented act of openness by the White House, the text of the SOTU speech was posted online prior to the live address. Although restrictions surrounded its publication, the speech’s early release shows that the Obama administration is reaching out to all Americans, not just those who watch televised news. Since 2002, there has been a 50 percent drop in television viewership, according to Morgan Stanley, while the U.S. Census shows 87 percent of Americans now use broadband Internet. Clearly, the Internet is the distributor of the future, and Obama’s willingness to use this medium shows his dedication to reaching as many people as possible with this speech.

Obama spoke with gusto despite his mixed success this term: "I have no more campaigns to run" was a comment Republicans seized hold of, lambasting him by applauding. Obama fired back, "I know because I won both of them." Thunderous cheering and laughter erupted from Democrats who admired the impromptu slight. Other significant developments were also described. The end of the Afghanistan war was announced, the phrase "middle-class economics" was coined, foreign relations were assessed and America was celebrated as a world leader. Obama explained that, "tonight, we turn the page."

Great emphasis was placed on the economy. America’s rise out of an economic abyss—from recession to 58 months of sustained job growth—has been a challenge since the beginning of Obama’s first term. According to a recent government poll, 11 million new jobs created over the past five years have dropped unemployment to 5.6 percent, a six-and-a-half-year low. Obama made sure to capitalize on this. In an effort to prove just how secure the economy is, a bombardment of bar graphs, charts, statistics and quotes flashed alongside the president while he spoke. Without a proper understanding of economics, one may think that the Obama administration singlehandedly reformed Wall Street. Personally, I think the government employee who created the powerpoint should get a raise. It did make a fun audiovisual; however, it also obscured Obama’s economic mishaps, such as failed social programs, including ineffective stimulus packages and a questionable health insurance bill.

Other serious economic issues were also explained with stereotypical political slogans. Raising the minimum wage, support for middle class families and lowering the cost of higher education are all central tenets of Obama’s 2015 agenda. Avoiding problems like the tanking value of the American dollar, Obama cheered us on for our domestic progress. With candor, he praised, "This is good news, people," to an audience of Congress members who laughed quietly in agreement.

However charming Obama may sound, his economic glee likely fell on deaf ears to the 32 million Americans watching, many of whom still face economic struggles. And they are validated in their disbelief. With time running short, an effective economic strategy aimed toward the middle and lower classes is improbable for the Obama administration. America now faces its largest wealth disparity since the Great Depression, an issue that will take years to address. Yet Obama’s strong speech-giving can hide most any problem, especially those clouded by heavy statistics and political jargon. Only when one sits down to seriously consider his propositions do they realize the impracticality of a quick two-year fix.

Cognizant of these underlying problems, Obama presented a rags-to-riches story: "How Rebekah and Ben Profited After the Recession." He mentioned their story throughout his speech and even used their perseverance as a metaphor for American perseverance in general—a perseverance that allows individuals to fulfill the American Dream. Rebekah, of course, was seated front and center next to First Lady Michelle Obama. This familial aspect of his speech felt genuine and showed off Obama’s humane, gentle nature. What economic turmoil was overlooked in former analysis could not, however, be amended, even by the heartwarming story of an American family succeeding despite all odds. The exaggeration of this anecdote showed that there was much being overlooked and left unsaid in Obama’s earlier analysis.

Transitioning to foreign prospects, Obama spoke with the same, if not greater enthusiasm. The most important development mentioned was that of America’s renewal  of diplomatic relations with Cuba. Obama’s high appraisal of the potential reconnection was cursory, however; why and how this move is being made after a 50-year trade embargo with the devastated Communist country is a mystery. For one thing, an American embassy in Cuba is highly controversial, a detail he failed to mention in the address. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called it a "bad idea at a bad time," and vowed to do everything in his power to stop its formation. This speaks to the greater problem: lifting a formal trade embargo requires Congressional approval. This prospect is highly improbable considering Congress’s current political hegemony. Renewing relations with Cuba involves overcoming many obstacles. Obama’s SOTU announcement does not mean improved Latin American relations or a new vacation destination, like many have hoped for, lie on the horizon.

Continuing the thread of improving international relations, Obama also declared the end to the combat mission in Afghanistan. Cheering ensued afterward, causing Obama to flash a bright, wide smile. This part of his address was still controversial, though. Currently there are tens of thousands of troops still stationed in Afghanistan. Their role there is advertised as a training of Afghan security forces. However, this mission does involve mobilization of forces and general militarization. Every hour, Americans are spending $10.17 million tax dollars on Afghanistan, a war we’ve been trying to leave for a decade. Meanwhile, the more realistic threat of a cyber attack mounts. There may be a lack of dangerous combat but spending money on soldiers working in another country still counts as war. Despite the claim made by Obama, the unpopular war in Afghanistan drags on another year. Yet the smiles continue.

The 2015 State of the Union Address was a powerful promotion tool—no more no less. Obama offered a hopeful outlook for the future and placed America on the pedestal of world superpower without showing how his agenda will come to fruition. In one poignant remark, he asked the nation to appreciate American values in a global context. "I want our actions to tell every child in every neighborhood: your life matters." How a lame duck president plans to deliver this message remains unknown. Still, borrowing from the great Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, "You may not like him, Minister, but you can’t deny: Dumbledore’s [Obama’s] got style."