The state of the union.. the state of a presidency.. a President, once unpopular, now becomes a populist.. ....he rants against the wealth and proclaims his pain for the poor–he begs a Republican majority to pass Middle Class reforms they will never consider.

But standing ovations were common on the left, eye rolls on the right. But he was dead on accurate.. no Keystone Pipeline when a bigger project could prevail.. no little ideas. Big ideas–but why does he cut NASA? Why doesn’t he stand in the way of intrusive spying and corporate giveaways? Because.. I suppose, he’s a politician..  I have a feeling that some of the KoolAid left over from 2008 will be back on the shelves by tomorrow morning’s news run.. Though there’s only two years left.. Two years that will feature no minimum wage increase.. no sick pay for nursing mothers.. no big jobs program.. no reforms for the Middle Class. However it will make a hell of a few issues for 2016. And that’s the point.. politics is always getting in the way of real reforms. The standing ovations are all for show. Theater at its finest. Or worst.

This photo just about sums up the night quite well, don’t you think?

And if you want some more words, rely on Andrew Sullivan to provide him in a very good live blogging session of the 2015 State of the Union address..

My Way News - Rethinking the big speech that isn't so big anymore

There’s a thought that grandiose meaningful speeches won’t be happening anymore.. I disagree. I think if a President ditched the TelePrompTer and spoke some off the cuff truth, maybe people would decide it’s television worth watching ..

My Way News - Rethinking the big speech that isn't so big anymore

THE STATE OF A PRESIDENCY 2012


The laundry list.. telling kids not to drop out.. telling America he saved the auto industry.. wants a bill on his desk to create jobs..Obama on immigration reform: ‘Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship’

The election year has officially started..

A big shoutout to Newt Mitt or Jeb.. you will be facing a very strong and effective leader..

I am STILL standing by my prediction of a November blowout with Obama winning.. the type of election landslide we have not seen since Reagan..

The only thing that runs through my mind after a State of the Union, Republican response, and tea party no-eye contact tape. Goodnight all. It’s been real.

Call me opinionated by Obama making a joke about pat-downs in airports came off as tacky

Call me opinionated by Obama making a joke about pat-downs in airports came off as tacky

Hmmm..

Paul Ryan..

Just sayin’ is all

I learned something from the State of the Union (well, post State of the Union) As President Obama was signing autographs after his speech, I realized he is left-handed

From where Boehner sits

Can they possibly 'simpify' the tax code before I get my taxes done next Monday?

This photo provided by the office of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords shows Mark Kelly watching the State of the Union address with Giffords in her hospital room in Houston, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011. MORE(AP Photo/Office of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords)

"No, YOU lie!"

And in this corner, the creator of the ‘kill switch’ Senator Joe Lieberman

State of the Union: Ken Salazar to serve as 'designated survivor' - won't attend

underthemountainbunker:

Here’s the full list of absent Cabinet secretaries since 1984:

January 27, 2010: Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan
February 24, 2009: Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.
January 28, 2008: Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne
January 23, 2007: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
January 31, 2006: Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson
February 2, 2005: Commerce Secretary Donald Evans
January 20, 2004: Commerce Secretary Donald Evans
January 28, 2003: Attorney General John Ashcroft
January 29, 2002: Interior Secretary Gale Norton
February 27, 2001: Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi
January 27, 2000: Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson
January 19, 1999: HUD Secretary Andrew W. Cuomo
January 27, 1998: Commerce Secretary Bill Daley
February 4, 1997: Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
January 30, 1996: HHS Secretary Donna Shalala
January 24, 1995: Transportation Secretary Federico Pena
January 25, 1994: Agriculture Secretary Mike Epsy
February 17, 1993: Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt
January 28, 1992: Agriculture Secretary Ed Madigan
January 29, 1991: Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan
January 31, 1990: Veterans Affairs Secretary Edward J. Derwinski
February 9, 1989: No absent cabinet member
January 25, 1988: Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel
January 27, 1987: Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng
February 4, 1986: Agriculture Secretary John Block
February 6, 1985: Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldrige
January 25, 1984: HUD Secretary Samuel R. Pierce Jr.

Source: Senate Historical Office

State of the Union: Ken Salazar to serve as 'designated survivor' - won't attend

C-SPAN REPORTING THAT OUR LEGISLATORS CAN LIVE-TWEET FROM THE FLOOR DURING THE SOTU

Seriously.. Cameras (CBS pool this year) can be on the floor during the State of the Union.. But also, according to C-Span’s coverage of the pre-SOTU, smart phones can be on the floor this year, too, which means our Senators and Congresspersons can tweet—if they of couse know what tweeting is, or how to use their phones.

Pre-SOTU: Republicans urge Obama to cut spending

Pre-SOTU: Republicans urge Obama to cut spending

BREAKING NEWS: OBAMA WILL DEFEND HIS HEALTH CARE BILL TONIGHT AGAINST REPUBLICAN REPEAL EFFORTS

WE’LL SEE IF THOSE SITTING TOGETHER WILL STAND AND APPLAUD TOGETHER

RELEASED: FULL TEXT OF OBAMA'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH

RELEASED: FULL TEXT OF OBAMA'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH

SOTU: It's like prom season all over again

Cantor invites Pelosi to sit together at SOTU

BUT.. Nancy Pelosi said no. Time for Eric Cantor to find another date

As if the annual State of the Union couldn’t get more ‘high school’..

The State of the Union 'will be strong' and other likely things

The union is strong.?As it is every year. Along with commentators stating ‘this is the most important speech of {insert president} political life!’ and ‘this is a make or break moment!’

Not saying it’s not meaningful.. Or that I won’t watch it. But I just most likely watch the post-speech nonsense from talking heads with talking points and overpaid pundits.

And it makes me long for a day that existed long before I lived: When the President would report a state of a union via letter. No cable news.. And no talking heads. But I guess it’s all relative.