Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
{vb:raw ozzmodz_postquote}:
Get the news
Log In or Subscribe to skip
[h=6]Share This Story![/h]Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about
[h=4]6 things to watch: Obama's 7th State of the Union[/h]Keep an eye on what President Obama says, how his audience reacts — and who's listening.
{# #}
[h=4]Sent![/h]A link has been sent to your friend's email address.
[h=4]Posted![/h]A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.
[h=6]Join the Nation's Conversation[/h]To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs
[h=2]UP NEXT[/h][h=2]03[/h]
USA TODAY's Susan Page outlines the six things to watch in President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address.
The opening ritual has become familiar: The House sergeant at arms, standing just inside the door to a packed<span style="color: Red;">*</span>congressional chamber, loudly announces, "Mister Speaker, the President of the United States."
And then?
President Obama on Tuesday delivers his seventh official State of the Union address, an opportunity for him to command center stage even as the campaign to succeed him heats up.
Here are six things to watch.
[h=2]1. Does this speech strike a different tone?[/h]White House press secretary Josh Earnest says Obama has told speechwriters and aides that he wants to avoid the traditional laundry list of legislative priorities in favor of a broader, more thematic address about the country's direction and its challenges.
[h=2]2. Who applauds?[/h]The president will talk about some proposals he hopes to see enacted this year, an opportunity for supporters to cheer their approval and opponents to sit on their hands. On some issues, there is a clear Republican-Democratic divide. But when it comes to the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>new Pacific trade pact Obama is pushing, the White House would appreciate a show of GOP support on an issue<span style="color: Red;">*</span>many Democrats oppose.
[h=2]3. It's Paul Ryan's debut as speaker for a State of the Union.[/h]The Wisconsin Republican will be seated just behind Obama, next to Vice President Biden. Some GOP members will be looking to him for cues on how to react to Obama's words. Does Obama reach out to him — on, say, Ryan's ideas about addressing poverty?
[h=2]4. Look up to the First Lady's Gallery.[/h]The White House has invited a Syrian refugee, the lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case recognizing gay marriage and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>a representative of<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the so-called DREAMers, young people who were brought illegally to the United States as children.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>The presence of each person is intended to make a point<span style="color: Red;">*</span>—<span style="color: Red;">*</span>including a seat left vacant to represent victims of gun violence.
[h=2]5. What about the next president?[/h]Some of the senators who are running for their party's<span style="color: Red;">*</span>presidential nomination are likely to be in the audience. In any case,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Obama is likely to try to help frame the debate for 2016, pressing the issues he thinks are crucial.
[h=2]6. Finally, do Americans listen?[/h]Last year, almost 32 million people tuned in to Obama's State of the Union. Those were the lowest TV ratings for the annual speech in 15 years — since President Bill Clinton was delivering his seventh State of the Union. Watch for who's watching.
MORE SOTU 2016 COVERAGE:
USA TODAY
The state of the State of the Union address: Is it broken?
USA TODAY
Viewer’s guide to Tuesday's State of the Union Address
USA TODAY
Haley says her speech won't compete with Tuesday's State of the Union address
USA TODAY
State of the Union bipartisan seating stunt fizzles
0) { %> 0) { %>
0) { %>
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed