President Obama wraps up 2011 with a look back at momentous events from the year, while noting there’s more to be done:

The last year has been a time of great challenge and great progress for our country. We ended one war and began to wind down another. We dealt a crippling blow to al-Qaeda and made America more secure. We stood by our friends and allies around the world through natural disasters and revolutions. And we began to see signs of economic recovery here at home, even as too many Americans are still struggling to get ahead.

Obama hopes for change in 2012 that will “grow our economy, create more jobs, and strengthen the middle class,” and hits a theme that will no doubt be revisited frequently in the coming weeks:

I’m hopeful because of what we saw right before Christmas, when Members of Congress came together to prevent a tax hike for 160 million Americans – saving a typical family about $ 40 in every paycheck. They also made sure Americans looking for work won’t see their unemployment insurance cut off. And I expect Congress to finish the job by extending these provisions through the end of 2012.

In 2012, the President promises to:

… do everything I can to make America a place where hard work and responsibility are rewarded – one where everyone has a fair shot and everyone does their fair share …

(With that last part being a nice reminder about Republicans’ protecting tax cuts for the wealthy.)

… and ends by saying:

Thanks for watching, and from Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo and myself, Happy New Year.

Complete transcript below the fold.

Daily Kos