Central Coast residents watch President Obama’s final State of the Union

Uniting America and creating a better future; that was the message President Obama delivered at his final State of the Union Address Tuesday night. Many people said it gave them hope for 2016.

“I felt like we had gone to church. I loved it,” said Marina resident Paula Pelot.

Pelot joined a handful of people at the Monterey County Democratic Headquarters in Seaside to watch the Commander In Chief address the nation. She said it was refreshing to hear the president be so optimistic.

“He reminded everyone of the American history, what drives us, what is best about us, what brings out the best in us, the challenges, the commonalities we have and the diversity,” said Pelot.

The president addressed the division in Congress and urged members to work together. This is something Vinz Koller, the Chair of the Democratic National Party of Monterey County, was pleased to hear.

“We got work to do and we have to do it in a bipartisan way. And hehas always been willing to do that,” said Koller.

With recent terror attacks on the minds of many Americans, the president also discussed how he plans to handle the growing threat of ISIS. He said we need to remember our values as a nation. That stood out for Carmel Valley resident Carson Eoyang.

“One thing that really resonated with me was the importance of identifying ourselves as an American and being clear about the values that we have in common and the hope and aspirations we have for our nation,” said Eoyang.

The path ahead for the president will not be easy – election years can be difficult ones to get things done. The presidentsaid hehopes hisspeech will serve as a call to action.