In the first of a series of speeches set to focus on the economy, President Obama laid out a lofty agenda for boosting the middle class–like raising the minimum wage, and instituting career training–but left out any policy specifics for how to actually implement those ideas.
“I don’t know what legislation follows from this speech,” said columnist Zachary Karabell on NewsNation Wednesday. “These speeches have a useful function of reminding Americans that there are challenges in the middle class–he talked about inequality, he talked about education reform, retirement, immigration reform–major issues that need addressing. ““The actual policy implications of this are incredibly opaque,” he continued. “So you’re kind of left with these exhortatory speeches–maybe uplifting, maybe important–but with very little consequence.”
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