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What the Public Wants Obama to Address in the State of the Union Speech

How will President Barack Obama’s priorities compare to, well, everyone else’s?
Image:
(FILES) This February 22, 2011 file photo shows a banner reading "Jobs" hanging on thre facade of the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington,DC. The US economy generated a net 117,000 jobs in July, a sharp climb from the month earlier, sending the unemployment rate down to 9.1 percent, the Labor Department said on August 5, 2011. The better-than-expected numbers came after markets worldwide plunged on worries that the data would show a stalled economy last month. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP - Getty Images

Forget the pomp and circumstance and the chatter over ratings: The State of the Union traditionally functions as an outline of the president’s top priorities for the country for the coming year.

But how will President Barack Obama’s priorities compare to, well, everyone else’s?

We combed through our latest NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll to determine what the American public says should be an absolute priority for the coming year.

Overall, Americans said their three top priorities for the country in the coming year are creating jobs (85 percent agreed), defeating and dismantling ISIS (74 percent agreed) and reducing the deficit (71 percent agreed.)

Not registering much urgency overall were trade agreements with Asia (20 percent say it’s a must-do this year), closing the Guantanamo Bay prison (24 percent) and addressing climate change (34 percent.)

Here’s the lists of the top five priorities – for all Americans and for subgroups by political party – and the percentage of those surveyed who said each item is a must-do.

For all Americans

Creating jobs (85%)

Defeating and dismantling ISIS (74%)

Reducing the deficit (71%)

Legislation to secure the border (58%)

Addressing Iran’s nuclear program (56%)

For Democrats

Creating jobs (87%)

Defeating and dismantling ISIS (71%)

Reducing inequality (67%)

Increasing the minimum wage (65%)

Fixing and keeping the Affordable Care Act (63%)

For independents

Creating jobs (83%)

Reducing the deficit (82%)

Defeating and dismantling ISIS (64%)

Legislation to secure the border (63%)

Addressing Iran’s nuclear program (58%)

For Republicans

Defeating and dismantling ISIS (87%)

Creating jobs (84%)

Reducing the deficit (84%)

Legislation to secure the border (79%)

Addressing Iran’s nuclear program (72%)