2013 State of the Union

2013 State of the Union

Obama will announce the creation of a bipartisan election assistance commission in his State of the Union address, a Democrat aware of the speech tells CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin. That group will suggest voting standards to make improve voting access and cut down on wait times, the source says.

A guest in first lady Michelle Obama's box in the chamber is meant to draw attention to the issue of voting -- more on that from Yellin's report earlier:
102-year-old Desiline ... Victor, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Haiti, waited in line for three hours to cast an early vote ballot in Florida. According to voting rights advocates who know Victor's story, when she returned later in the day other people in line urged election officials to get her in to vote. It was her second time filling out a ballot since she became a citizen in 2005.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 12:53:50 AM
People say GOP should address Latinos. Nobody blinks. I say Obama should address blacks. Everyone flips out! :) http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/12/opinion-president-obama-should-address-black-americans-in-state-of-the-union/ @CNN

by Van Jones via twitter 2/13/2013 1:03:19 AM
President Barack Obama and Sen. Marco Rubio have some things in common, CNN's Dugald McConnell writes in this profile of Rubio:
Like Barack Obama, Marco Rubio is young and well-spoken, comes from an ethnic minority and has only a few years of experience in the Senate. In addition, he came to Washington after serving in his state legislature, as did Obama, and he benefited greatly from a high-profile speaking role at his party's convention in 2012 -- as Obama did in 2004.

Rubio will deliver the Republican response to Obama's address. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky will deliver a separate tea party response following that.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN edited by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:08:21 AM
The State of the Union like you've never seen it before: http://on.wh.gov/U7xPj5U Tune in tonight at 9ET: http://on.wh.gov/Th4GGN0 #SOTU

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:08:50 AM
RT @thecaucus: Inviting gun violence victims to the State of the Union is now a grim tradition http://nyti.ms/YboEuQ

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:09:22 AM
RT @kemitesound: @VanJones68 @CNN stay with it Van. The racism is coming out hot and heavy. These individuals would like to divide us f ...

by Van Jones via twitter 2/13/2013 1:09:47 AM
RT @nypost: Local Sheriff's Dept: "Law enforcement will enter cabin when it's safe to do so" #Dorner

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:09:59 AM
RT @pamspaulding: New at #PHB: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Poised to Become Sixth Catholic Governor to Sign Marriage Equality Into Law http: ...

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:10:49 AM
by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:11:22 AM
In tonight's address, Obama will challenge Republicans to help middle class grow, report Jake Tapper, Jessica Yellin and Tom Cohen in their lead-up to the big event

President Barack Obama will challenge Congress to join him in taking on "our generation's task" to ignite the growth of a "rising, thriving middle class" in the first State of the Union speech of his second term, according to excerpts released by the White House.

"It is our unfinished task to restore the basic bargain that built this country -- the idea that if you work hard and meet your responsibilities, you can get ahead, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who you love," Obama will say Tuesday night, sounding familiar themes from his re-election campaign last year.

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:11:24 AM
RT @clairecmc: Sitting with newly elected Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer tonight. #SOTU#bipartisanship

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:11:55 AM
Energy Sec'y Chu will be the Cabinet member not to attend the SOTU in one of the most uncomfortable and macabre US gov't traditions.

by Jake Tapper via twitter 2/13/2013 1:13:22 AM
RT @AFLCIO: We'll be livetweeting Obama's #SOTU & the #Rubio response; since Rubio Tea Party, no need to separately respond to Rand ...

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:13:47 AM
Here's the latest photo from Rubio's office of the senator preparing for tonight's GOP response to the State of the Union

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:15:43 AM
RT @mikegehrke: I, for one, welcome our nerd overlords RT @jaketapper: Energy Sec'y Chu will be the Cabinet member not to attend the SO ...

by Jake Tapper via twitter 2/13/2013 1:16:43 AM
RT @BarackObama: "He shall, from time to time..." http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BC8jCMOCcAAEw_0.jpg

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:16:47 AM
RT @jbarro: Where was Rubio's rage at Mitt Romney for proposing to outspend Obama by $700bn on Medicare over 10 years?

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:18:31 AM
RT @jbarro: The GOP spent the last two elections running against Medicare cuts. Any claim to be the party of Medicare spending restraint ...

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 1:18:44 AM
RT @jdavery: @jaketapper Here's that scene from "The West Wing:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKWmlIExRAo

by Jake Tapper via twitter 2/13/2013 1:22:55 AM
On set at @cnn. #SOTU coverage will start at 8:30pm. Are you watching president's address tonight? http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BC8mOPoCEAEv0lt.jpg

by Newt Gingrich via twitter 2/13/2013 1:23:09 AM
Dems argue: GOP to blame. But now it's the Dems who seem less willing to make tough choices, strike long-term bargain http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/12/opinion/gergen-obama-stakes/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

by David Gergen via twitter 2/13/2013 1:28:06 AM
A view of the U.S. Capitol as tonight's activities get underway. Security is tighter than usual on Capitol Hill, where streets are closed before Obama's arrival

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:30:56 AM
Different kind of drama unfolding in DC, awaiting important Presidential address. #SOTU #CNN

by David Gergen via twitter 2/13/2013 1:31:04 AM
.@Votegoat1 @barackobama @marcorubio /So u take offense only when black people mention race. But fine when GOP does. Got it. Hypocrisy much?

by Van Jones via twitter 2/13/2013 1:31:42 AM
RT @mjaconiCNN: CNN greenroom abuzz w/ @vanJones68 & @David_Gergen already tracking #SOTU responses via http://CNN.com/TweetoftheUnion -even ...

by Van Jones via twitter 2/13/2013 1:32:45 AM
Why does the president deliver a State of the Union address? It's a mix of tradition and legal obligation. The Constitution requires the president:
... shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ...
The first State of the Union-style address was delivered by George Washington in January 8, 1790. Thomas Jefferson began a tradition of submitting a written message which lasted until President Wilson delivered an address in person in 1913. It has generally been delivered in person since.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN edited by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:33:03 AM
Some veterans jaded with SOTU but count me as one who loves the ritual -- goes all the way back to G Washington #SOTU ##CNN

by David Gergen via twitter 2/13/2013 1:33:35 AM
Gabby Gifford is entering the chamber right next to us

by Dana Bash via twitter 2/13/2013 1:34:22 AM
Barring international crisis, likely most important Obama speech of his second term. #SOTU #CNN

by David Gergen via twitter 2/13/2013 1:34:44 AM
President Obama and wife Michelle are departing the White House now on their way to the U.S. Capitol for the State of the Union

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:36:21 AM
Members of the Senate are filing out of their chamber on their way to the other side of the Capitol building.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 1:37:58 AM
Who is Sen. Marco Rubio, the man who will deliver tonight's GOP response? CNN's Kate Bolduan put together this profile:

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:39:19 AM
What does this map of congressional districts show? Clue: there are 14 of them shaded blue #cnn #SOTU #magicwall http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BC8qLoFCEAAmCr4.jpg

by John King via twitter 2/13/2013 1:40:27 AM
Just spoke to Gabby Giffords for the first time since the day before she was shot. She looks amazing. Twinkle in her eye and broad smile

by Dana Bash via twitter 2/13/2013 1:43:57 AM
On his way out of the White House, Obama told the reporters gathered "I feel great." Then he got in the presidential limo and rolled toward the gate.

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:44:53 AM
To go or not to go? That's the question Supreme Court justices ask themselves every time the State of the Union rolls around. Read more from CNN's Supreme Court producer Bill Mears

One member of the esteemed group feels like a "proverbial potted plant," while another resents sitting there "looking stupid." Their chief ponders the pageantry and politics of it all and wonders why they bother to go.

For members of the Supreme Court, enduring the State of the Union address is a civic exercise in poker-faced discretion. As recent history has shown, that is not always easy.

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:46:41 AM
On set at CNN for #SOTU, but looks like the LA cop/fire will preempt most of the pre-SOTU coverage.

by Jennifer Granholm via twitter 2/13/2013 1:46:43 AM
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Ginsberg walking over to House chamber for state of the union #sotu http://instagr.am/p/VpzYsKA505/

by deirdrewalshcnn via twitter 2/13/2013 1:48:20 AM
CNN on #SOTU coverage now.

by Jim Acosta via twitter 2/13/2013 1:51:11 AM
CNN's TV coverage of tonight's State of the Union begins NOW -- tune in for previews and analysis from all of CNN's anchors and analysts

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:51:31 AM
That's former Rep. Gabby Giffords on CNN air right now next to her husband, the retired astronaut Mark Kelly. Giffords was wounded by gun violence at a district event in Tuscon, Arizona in January 2011.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 1:52:47 AM
The president by the numbers: A new CNN Poll of Polls has his approval rating at 50%

by Paul Steinhauser via twitter 2/13/2013 1:53:38 AM
House Speaker John Boehner and Senate President Joe Biden are appointing a committee of their respective houses to escort Obama into the House Chamber.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 1:54:41 AM
Vice President Joe Biden is wearing glasses tonight -- he injured his eye last week

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:55:09 AM
Jill Biden, the wife of the vice president and a college professor, has entered the House chamber.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 1:55:30 AM