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President Obama's State of the Union addresses, over the years.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: AP and AFP/Getty Images)
For the seventh and final time Tuesday night, President Obama will deliver the State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress. Here's all you need to know to follow the action:
[h=2]When does it start?<span style="color: Red;">*</span>[/h]The president is scheduled to go on at 9 p.m. ET, though given the time involved with the ceremonial entrance and introduction by the House speaker, the speech itself may not start right on time.
[h=2]Where can I watch?<span style="color: Red;">*</span>[/h]Where can't you watch? The broadcast<span style="color: Red;">*</span>networks and cable news stations will of course provide live television coverage of the address. But you won't need a cable subscription to follow the speech. The White House will also be<span style="color: Red;">*</span>streaming the president's message live on YouTube and on its website.
Additionally, Obama's address will, for the first time, be available on demand via Amazon Video.
[h=2]Anything unique about this year's speech?[/h]Actually, yes. Most years, presidents use State of the Union speeches to offer a laundry list of policy proposals, which often lead to partisan scenes in the House chamber where half the members (those from the president's party) stand and applaud<span style="color: Red;">*</span>as the opposition party sits silently.
While Tuesday's address will undoubtedly still be a partisan affair (this is an election year, after all), the White House<span style="color: Red;">*</span>has said Obama's speech will be "non-traditional." In a video previewing the address, Obama said he would focus on "the big things," and officials have said the president will focus on larger challenges facing the country.
[h=2]Who will deliver the Republican response?[/h]South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, rumored<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to be a possible GOP vice presidential contender, was tapped by Republican leaders to deliver what they're calling the "Republican Address to the Nation" following Obama's speech.
In announcing the selection, House Speaker Paul Ryan, in his first State of the Union at the helm in the House, said,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>“Nikki Haley has led an economic turnaround and set a bold agenda for her state, getting things done and becoming one of the most popular governors in America."
[h=2]Who are the first lady's guests?[/h]Per a tradition that began with President Reagan in 1982, Michelle Obama will host a number of guests in the first lady's box, including one who will not be there. The White House announced last week that one chair<span style="color: Red;">*</span>"will be left empty for the victims of gun violence who no longer have a voice." The symbolic move follows the president's announcement of new executive actions aimed at curbing gun violence.
One guest<span style="color: Red;">*</span>who will join the first lady is<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Refaai Hamo, a Syrian refugee who now lives in Detroit. The invitation of Hamo signals an effort on the president's part to highlight his support for refugees amid rhetoric from some GOP presidential candidates cautioning against admitting Syrians given the increased threat of terrorism from the Islamic State.
In a bookend, of sorts, to Obama's 2008 campaign, also in attendance at the president's final State of the Union will be<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Edith Childs of Greenwood, S.C. In 2007, Childs coined what became the mantra of the Obama campaign when she rallied supporters at a campaign stop for then-Sen. Obama by chanting: "Fired up! Ready to go!"
You can check out the full guest list here.
More coverage of the State of the Union:
USA TODAY
Obama's final State of the Union Address will define his presidency
USA TODAY
Obama will tout Detroit comeback in final State of the Union Address
USA TODAY
Obama plans 'something different' for State of the Union, White House says
[h=2]UP NEXT[/h][h=2]03[/h]
As President Obama prepares to deliver his final State of the Union Address on January 12, we look back at his previous six messages to Congress.
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