Locals voice expectations for President Obama's Oval Office address

ByJeff Chirico WPVI logo
Sunday, December 6, 2015
VIDEO: Locals on Obama's speech
As shoppers fill their holiday lists many have a separate list of what they want to hear from President Obama when he addresses the nation Sunday night.

ARDMORE, Pa. (WPVI) -- As shoppers fill their holiday lists, many have a separate list of what they want to hear from President Obama when he addresses the nation tonight.

"I want to hear what our strategy is going forward to defeat ISIS," said Efram Silverstein of Bala Cynwyd.

"He's got to act like he's got a plan, and let the defense department and the Pentagon do their job," said Tom McKeman of Radnor Township.

"Well I would say more troops in Syria and Afghanistan," said George McDonald of Upper Darby.

On the heels of the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, shoppers are clearly ready for action. Some calling for gun control and increased surveillance.

President Obama will address the nation Sunday evening on the San Bernardino shootings in a rare speech from the Oval Office.

"Everybody's cell phones absolutely. If you're not doing anything wrong you shouldn't have to worry about them listening in," said Chris Freed of Quakertown.

"I'm actually Australian so in the interest of that, I mean, we've had gun laws since the 1996 shooting in Port Arthur so I think it would be good if he installed something like that," said Anna Corby of Australia.

And amid the symbols of peace and joy, most we spoke with agreed war may be the only solution.

"I would like him to hear and say that we are ready to fight and to respond to these people that do not care if they're attacking women, kids or anybody else," said Phil Binnfeld of Wynnewood. "They already declared war on us, on civilization."

"We can send all our marines over there and just wipe those people out. Crush them like we crushed Hitler. You gotta get rid of them. They're our enemy," said Barbara Ladley of Harleysville.

People we spoke to also told us they are not only going to be listening to what the president says, but how he says it. Up until now, people say the president has come off as too laid back when dealing with terrorism.