2013 State of the Union

2013 State of the Union

Obama has arrived at the Capitol, according to the White House press pool. It took him roughly six minutes to make the drive up Pennsylvania Ave. from the White House to Capitol Hill.

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:55:37 AM
Inside the chamber as I have been for several years now. For some reason there doesn't seem to be as much electricity in the air as before

by Dana Bash via twitter edited by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:55:39 AM
by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 1:55:41 AM
1st lady personally invited parents of 15 yo shooting victim Hadiya Pendleton to SOTU, when she attended funeral in chicago

by Jessica Yellin via twitter 2/13/2013 1:57:27 AM
Delivering the State of the Union is a presidential responsibility, but two presidents never did one. Who? William Henry Harrison, who died after 32 days in office, and James Garfield, who died 199 days into office.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 1:57:47 AM
You're in my shot Frank :) “@frankthorpNBC: .@KateBolduan going live from Stat Hall for #SOTU coverage. http://Instagr.am/p/Vp0C7UEzmv/”

by Kate Bolduan via twitter 2/13/2013 1:58:55 AM
RT @CNNSitRoom: CNN's @KateBolduan profiles Marco Rubio, from his Cuban-American roots in West Miami to his GOP #SOTU response t. ...

by Kate Bolduan via twitter 2/13/2013 1:59:10 AM
The Supreme Court justices are entering now: Roberts, Kennedy, Sotomayor, Ginsburg, Breyer and Kagan.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 1:59:22 AM
The State of the Union is progressing. Think POTUS will be all about the economy. Count the times he says middle class & jobs. #CNN #SOTU

by Jennifer Granholm via twitter 2/13/2013 1:59:36 AM
Source: Tonight President will propose bipartisan commission focused on voting rights, to propose national standards 4 voting access.

by Jessica Yellin via twitter 2/13/2013 1:59:46 AM
Michelle Obama is being introduced now. She's walking into her box to a big round of applause from lawmakers

And because there's no end to the interest in what the first lady is wearing: she's in a sparkly red dress with black shoulders

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 2:00:16 AM
Members of the Cabinet are entering now, led by Secretary of State Kerry, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu will not attend the address.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:01:55 AM
In addition to CNN's Live Blog, check out a new feature: CNN's Tweet of the Union.

This year we’re betting that members of Congress will respond to the State of the Union 140 characters at a time, on Twitter. So we built a page that collects them all, by party gender and more. Follow along at cnn.com/tweetoftheunion and on the CNN App for iPad.

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 2:04:19 AM
Several members of Obama's Cabinet who are in attendance tonight are on their way out of the administration: Panetta, Salazar, and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Chu is outgoing as well, but is sitting this one out.

CNN political contributor and Republican strategist Ana Navarro quips:
Steven Chu, Sec of Energy, is the one left out of #SOTU in case of catastrophe. Now, you tell me, what exactly would Chu be able to do?Ana Navarrovia twitter on Feb 12, 2013 at 9:03 PM

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:05:24 AM
Video: CNN's Jessica Yellin tells us what to watch for tonight.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:07:47 AM
by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 2:10:51 AM
RT @FreepOpinion: For #SOTU commentary from former MI Gov. Jennifer Granholm, tune to @CNN

by Jennifer Granholm via twitter 2/13/2013 2:10:58 AM
To tweet or not to tweet?

Apparently because of her late mother’s scolding, Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri will be dropping Twitter during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:
Missing mom tonight. A few years ago she told me I was rude for tweeting during SOTU.So putting my tweeter away. Later...Claire McCaskillvia twitter on Feb 12, 2013 at 9:11 PM
According to House rules, however, tweeting from the House floor is allowed:
"Members are allowed to have cell phones and smart phones and things and can use them for text sending and receiving text," said a source close to the House rules but who was not cleared to speak on the record.
-- From CNN's Dan Merica

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:12:28 AM
Who are the lawmakers with seats on the aisle that the president walks down? The early birds.
Read more from CNN's Deirdre Walsh:

About ten hours before President Barack Obama delivers his fourth State of the Union address, several members of Congress have already claimed their seats along the main aisle.

Those seats are most desirable because members can score a handshake or a few brief words with the president on his way to the House rostrum.

At least two Democrats have so far marked their seats with coats or bags.

Rep. Sanford Bishop of Georgia dropped his bag early and sat on a nearby chair reading some papers, but left the chamber around 10:15 a.m.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, dropped her things in the aisle on the third seat from the front shortly after 10 a.m. ET. She is a regular seat-saver and was wearing a bright purple dress sure to be noticed by television cameras.

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 2:13:13 AM
House Speaker John Boehner is introducing the president to the joint session of Congress right now. It's a formality that's always observed before the State of the Union address.

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 2:16:04 AM
In first lady Michelle Obama's box are 25 guests. To her left is Nathaniel and Cleopatra Pendleton, parents of a 15-year-old teen who was shot dead in Chicago a week after participating in the events surrounding President Obama's inauguration. To her right is nurse Menchu Sanchez who saved children from Hurricane Sandy.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:16:10 AM
POTUS about to give his 5th #SOTU address. #tweetoftheunion

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 2:16:35 AM
NOW: State of the Union underway. "Enhanced" version - WH version w/ graphics is here: http://1.usa.gov/V1tBKg

by Lisa Desjardins via twitter 2/13/2013 2:16:53 AM
Seeing a lot of green ribbons - 'gun control'? #SOTU

by Erin Burnett via twitter 2/13/2013 2:17:28 AM
Obama's first reference is to the war in Afghanistan:

Tonight, thanks to the grit and determination of the American people, there is much progress to report. After a decade of grinding war, our brave men and women in uniform are coming home.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:18:13 AM
“@lizzwinstead: What is the green ribbon? #SOTU” In honor of the victims of Newtown!

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 2:18:48 AM
Obama's second reference is to the economy:

After years of grueling recession, our businesses have created over six million new jobs. We buy more American cars than we have in five years, and less foreign oil than we have in twenty. Our housing market is healing, our stock market is rebounding, and consumers, patients, and homeowners enjoy stronger protections than ever before.

Nathaniel and Cleopatra Pendleton, parents of a 15-year-old teen who was shot dead in Chicago a week after participating in the events surrounding President Obama's inauguration. To her right is nurse Menchu Sanchez who saved children from Hurricane Sandy.
And Obama's variation of the infamous line from State of the Union addresses:
Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is strong.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:19:30 AM
POTUS: "We buy more American cars than we have in 5 years, and less foreign oil than we have in 20" #CNN #SOTU

by Jennifer Granholm via twitter 2/13/2013 2:20:25 AM
When it comes to helping President Obama revive the economy, the GOP have planted their feet in the sand. And it has turn to cement. #SOTU

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 2:20:36 AM
I am hopeful that voices of reason can and will prevail. So, tonight the President has to explain, inspire, pressure, compromise and cajole.

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 2:21:31 AM
Here's a look at the man who introduces the president with those famous words: "Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States"

by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 2:21:41 AM
President Barack Obama has been introduced and is now entering the House chamber.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN edited by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 2:21:43 AM
What Obama is explaining now is what people in Washington call the "sequester." More on what it is from CNNMoney: money.cnn.com

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:22:23 AM
“@current: "It is our unfinished task to make sure that this country works on behalf of the many, not the few." - President Obama #SOTU”

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 2:22:49 AM
RT @daveweigel: Bipartisan seating: Gillibrand-McCain-Schumer-Graham-Bennet

by Jake Tapper via twitter 2/13/2013 2:23:21 AM
"@CBS6Pat: Chris Cuomo holding down the CNN coverage right now #SOTU"JUST THROWING UP THE BALL AND LETTING THE BIG BOYS AND GIRLS HAVE AT IT

by Chris Cuomo via twitter 2/13/2013 2:24:49 AM
As Obama addresses Medicare reform and the Affordable Care Act, you just saw Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on your television.

by Gregory Wallace, CNN 2/13/2013 2:25:24 AM
Yes. POTUS: "We can't just cut our way to prosperity" #CNN #SOTU

by Jennifer Granholm via twitter 2/13/2013 2:25:26 AM
APPLAUSE: Last five applause breaks have been virtually Dem only. #TweetOfTheUnion

by Lisa Desjardins via twitter 2/13/2013 2:25:37 AM
I wonder if the problem is politicians facing tough choices making promises to begin with.

by Lisa Desjardins via twitter 2/13/2013 2:26:24 AM
Applause on both sides of the aisle for:
But they do expect us to put the nation’s interests before party.
Some Democrats stand; many Republicans stay in their seats.

CNN Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports:
SO FAR: All bipartisan applause.Lisa Desjardinsvia twitter on Feb 12, 2013 at 9:20 PM

by Gregory Wallace, CNN edited by CNN's Kevin Liptak 2/13/2013 2:27:06 AM
If companies use bad pension accounting and can't keep 'promises already made', how can the US govt, which also makes unfunded promises?

by Erin Burnett via twitter 2/13/2013 2:27:08 AM
POTUS talking tax reform. @SpeakerBoehner earlier today wasn't all that optimistic

by Dana Bash via twitter 2/13/2013 2:27:20 AM
RT @cnnbrk: Obama: It is our unfinished task to make sure that this government works on behalf of the many, and not just the few. http:/ ...

by Donna Brazile via twitter 2/13/2013 2:27:20 AM
TAX REFORM?: Yep, that was @SpeakerBoehner applauding the diea.

by Lisa Desjardins via twitter 2/13/2013 2:27:26 AM