Barack Obama promised to make job creation his top priority as he made his first State of the Union address.

The US president forecast the creation of 1.5 million jobs through the ’stimulus bill’.

“People are out of work. They are hurting. They need our help. And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay,” he said.

As he looked to reignite his stalling presidency, Mr Obama urged Congress to come together around new stimulus spending and short-term economic relief.

“Change has not come fast enough,” he said. “I do not accept second-place for the United States of America.”

The president devoted about two-thirds of his speech to the economy, emphasising his ideas for restoring job growth, taming budget deficits and changing a polarised Washington.

A year after the height of the world financial crisis he said “the worst of the storm has passed but the devastation remains”.

“Despite our hardships, our union is strong… I will not walk away from these Americans.

“I have never been more hopeful about America’s future than I am tonight,” he said.

He said he would still pursue ambitious longer-term changes to healthcare, energy, education and beyond.

The healthcare plan was on the verge of being passed but was derailed after opposition Republicans captured a crucial Senate seat last week.

“Do not walk away from reform,” he implored. “Not now. Not when we are so close.”

In a surprise shift from past addresses, and notable for a president whose candidacy caught fire over his opposition to the Iraq war, foreign policy was taking a relative back seat.

On national security, Mr Obama proclaimed some success, saying that “far more” al Qaeda terrorists were killed under his watch last year than in 2008.

Hoping to salve growing disappointment in a key voter area, he said he would work with Congress “this year” to repeal the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military.

Sky’s US correspondent Greg Milam said: “It was interesting that on a couple of occasions he admitted that some of the setbacks his administration had suffered were deserved.

“That defeat in the Senate election in Massachusetts was a wake-up call and they realise that perhaps Mr Obama hasn’t done a very good job communicating to people what he is trying to do.

“Tonight’s address was broadcast live on all the TV networks and the American public can’t escape from (his message). That’s why their reaction will be interesting.”

Jon-Christopher Bua, Sky’s White House commentator, added: “The President tried to recapture some of the enthusiasm of his campaign, summoning the American people to reach from within, reminding his audience that the spirit lives on in you.”