Obama: Americans need to ‘fix our politics’

President Obama is slated to call for a “fix” in American politics during his last State of the Union on Tuesday night, according to excerpts of his speech released by the White House.

Obama will say that “opportunity and security for our families, a rising standard of living and a sustainable, peaceful planet for our kids” is within reach.

{mosads}“But it will only happen if we work together,” Obama will say, according to the excerpts.

“It will only happen if we fix our politics,” Obama will say in making a call for “rational, constructive debates” on the issues facing the country.

Obama isn’t expected to address Donald Trump by name, but many have viewed the speech as a way for the president to rebut the Republican presidential front-runner.

Trump dominated much of the political discussion in the latter half of last year and is atop polls for the Republican nomination weeks before the first ballots are cast.

“A better politics doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything,” Obama will say in his speech, according to the excerpts.

“This is a big country, with different regions and attitudes and interests. That’s one of our strengths, too,” Obama will continue, saying, “democracy does require basic bonds of trust between its citizens.”

White House communications director Jen Psaki said on CNN’s “Situation Room” that Obama will address his belief that “we still have time to change our politics.”

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is slated to deliver the Republican response to Obama’s address, will discuss the number of threats facing the country, including terrorism, in her speech.

“During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation,” Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, will say, according to prepared remarks.