This Article is From Jan 28, 2010

Obama: Won't accept 'second place' to India, China

Obama: Won't accept 'second place' to India, China
Washington: Citing India and China as countries that are going ahead with economic revamp, President Barack Obama on Thursday said the US cannot accept "second place" and should get serious about fixing its problems since the worst of the financial crisis is over.

"Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse. Meanwhile, China's not waiting to revamp its economy. Germany's not waiting. India's not waiting," Obama said in his first State of the Union address to the Congress.

"These nations aren't standing still. These nations aren't playing for second place. They're putting more emphasis on math and science. They're rebuilding their infrastructure.

They are making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs," Obama said in his 69-minute-long prime-time speech.

Obama, who took over as the first black-American President on January 20 last year, said he will not accept second place for America, the only superpower.

"Well, I do not accept second-place for the United States of America. As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may be, it's time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth," he said.

Obama, who delivered his first State of the Union address against a backdrop of an American public worried about the fallout of the meltdown, said the "worst of the storm has passed. But the devastation remains."

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