As is typical during an election year, President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech offered more campaign fodder than it did a plan for the nation.

The president’s address was short on specifics as to how we can move our nation forward and offered virtually no solutions to the political impasse that is stifling our government.

Republicans were quick to point this out even as Democrats were singing Obama’s praises for his rhetoric.

It may be unrealistic at this point to expect Congress and the administration to find any compromise or middle ground before the primary election in March or even the general election this November.

And, all the while, our nation continues to struggle with high unemployment rates, minimal job growth and a rising cost of living that continues to hinder the American people.

We do not need fancy speeches and more words. We do not need partisan bickering and finger-pointing. We need true leaders willing to put aside ideological differences to find ways to find some common ground for the welfare of our great nation.