Charlie Rose 2011 Season 1 Episode 16 Charlie Rose - A Preview of President Obama's State of the Union Address / Lynn Sweet / George Shultz (January 24, 2011)

In this episode of Charlie Rose, the host sits down with a panel of guests to discuss the upcoming State of the Union address by President Obama. The episode is timely, as it was filmed on January 24, 2011, just a week before the address was scheduled to be given.

The first guest to join Rose is Lynn Sweet, a Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times. She brings her expertise on politics and journalism to the discussion, providing insights into the expected topics of the President's speech. The conversation touches on the economy, the war in Afghanistan, and political polarization, as well as the challenges that Obama faced in the first two years of his presidency.

Next up is George Shultz, former Secretary of State under President Reagan. He speaks about the current state of American foreign policy, offering his opinions on the recent developments in Egypt and the Middle East. Along with Rose, he also discusses the United States' relationship with China, and the implications of their growing military and economic power.

Throughout the episode, Rose poses thoughtful questions to his guests, encouraging them to delve deeper into their areas of expertise. The conversation is nuanced and informative, providing viewers with a well-rounded perspective on the issues that were most pressing during this time period.

The discussion of Obama's State of the Union address is a high point of the episode, as each guest offers their predictions and analysis of the speech. Sweet believes that the President will focus on job creation and economic recovery, while Shultz argues that national security will be a primary topic. Rose himself expresses curiosity about the intersection of foreign policy and economic recovery, and wonders aloud about the ways in which the two are interconnected.

Overall, this episode of Charlie Rose is an engaging and thought-provoking discussion of the issues facing the United States during the early part of Obama's presidency. The guests are knowledgeable and engaging, offering unique perspectives on politics, journalism, and foreign policy. While the episode may be most interesting to those with a strong interest in American politics, it is accessible enough for any viewer who enjoys engaging with complex ideas and conversations.