Barack Obama delivers his first State of the Union address

President Barack Obama vowed not to give up on his ambitious legislative agenda, using his first State of the Union address to chastise Republicans for working in lock-step against him and to warn Democrats to stiffen their political spines.(NYT Photo)

The speech, Obama's third to a joint session of Congress, comes at a particularly rocky point in his presidency, with many Americans – including some fellow Democrats – complaining that the president has lost sight of the priorities of ordinary people. And Obama acknowledged their doubts, conceding that some of his political setbacks “were deserved,” a striking admission for any president.(NYT Photo)

For all the questions circulating in Democratic quarters as President Obama tries to weather the worst storm of his administration, perhaps none is as succinct as this: Are the missteps at the White House rooted in message or substance?

The Republican victory in Massachusetts last week touched off a domino effect of political setbacks for Democrats -- most notably the fate of the health care agenda -- that has prompted deep introspection in the Oval Office.(NYT Photo)

Seen here is President Barack Obama shaking hands with Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) as he arrived at the Capitol in Washington to deliver his first State of the Union address. (NYT Photo)

During the speech, Obama explained how his top priorities – the health measure, tough new regulations on banks, energy legislation – fit into his broader initiative to put the economy on sounder footing for the long run.(NYT Photo)

Still, after a year of working to get health care passed, Obama said his No. 1 issue is now the economy and jobs.

“Jobs must be our No. 1 focus in 2010.People are out of work. They are hurting. They need our help.” Obama said.

Seen in this picture is the US President flanked by the Congress members on his way to the podium to deliver his first State of the Union Address.(NYT Photo)

In a move that could shake the foundations of India's IT services industry, US President Barack Obama said in his first State of Union address that he will end tax breaks to American firms that ship out jobs abroad.

"To encourage businesses to stay within our borders, it is time to finally slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas, and give those tax breaks to companies that create jobs right here in the United States of America," he said.(AFP Photo)

US First Lady Michelle Obama hails US President Barack Obama as he delivers his first State of the Union address. Obama declared that the worst of the economic storm had passed, but that a trail of devastation was left behind.(AFP Photo)

House Democrats responded with a chant of "We're number one" after the US President vowed to make the U.S. education system the best in the world during his State of the Union address at the Capitol on Wednesday night.(NYT Photo)

Seen here--Obama receiving a standing ovation from the audience after he delivered his first State of the Union address that focussed on creating new jobs for the US citizens and over hauling the US Health care system, amongst other objectives on his agenda.(NYT Photo)

US President Barack Obama prepares to sign an autograph as he walks the US Capitol halls after his first State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. (AFP Photo)