“Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward and build a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last,” said U.S. President Barack Obama during Tuesday’s State of the Union Address to members of Congress.

It’s the latest from a president who has too-often favoured lofty rhetoric over substantive policy goals.

The economy was one of many topics addressed by Obama, who’s seen his approval ratings plummet from 82 per cent in Jan. 2009 to a record low of 38 per cent, according to an Oct. 17 Gallup poll.

After winning a landmark presidential election in 2008, Obama has learned the hard way that actions speak louder than words, with many claiming his approach was too soft during the congressional deadlock in August amidst rising U.S. debt.

He’s also been slammed by Republicans for his policy on Iran.

“If we re-elect Barack Obama, Iran will have a nuclear weapon,” said Mitt Romney, candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. He was speaking at a foreign policy debate in South Carolina on Nov. 12.

The reality is that the current administration must put results over rhetoric in order to win this year’s presidential election. In recent months, there have been several positive signs.

In May, U.S. Navy SEALs shot and killed Osama Bin Laden. The operation marked a huge win for the Obama administration and left a gaping hole in the leadership of al-Qaeda.

On Oct. 21, Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq by the end of 2011, bringing the eight-year U.S. mission in Iraq to an end.

Americans need a president who can make bold economic and foreign policy decisions in the face of a shrinking middle class and a perception by other countries that the U.S. too-often meddles in world affairs.

Obama’s hopes of re-election are also bolstered by a Republican nomination race that has failed to produce a sure-thing opponent, with next Tuesday’s Florida primary turning into a two-man race between Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

But if Obama does win this November, it shouldn’t be because of a weak field of Republican contenders.

Obama has a chance to build on the momentum of his most recent policy successes. The upcoming year marks a critical time not only in his presidency, but in American history — it’s Obama’s race to lose.