Any word on when the State of the Union speech will be?

[bluestateguy]

It's always pushed back to February in Inaugural years. In fact I think it's just called an "Address to Congress" in Inaugural years.

[BattyDem]

1. I remember reading something a couple of months ago ...

that said it will be in early February, but it probably wouldn't be called a "State of the Union" address. I can't remember where I read it. I'll do a quick Google - if I find the link, I'll post it.

I honestly don't see the point of having a SOTU address in an Inaugural year ... expecially THIS Inaugural year. He just became President. What could he possibly say at this point? "Bush left every inch of our government and our country in a HUGE mess and somehow, I'm going to have to clean it up!" :shrug:

[tridim]

2. Disagree, I think an honest and frank SOTU is something that we desperately need right now.

Since we haven't really had one of those since 1999.

[BattyDem]

3. That's a good point.

We haven't gotten any truth for 10 years, so if nothing else, it will make everyone aware of what we are truly facing. It just seems so unfair: junior made the mess, but Obama is the one who has to tell us how much trouble we're actually in and of course, he'll be expected to immediately have all the answers.

[Bleacher Creature]

4. There won't be a "real" State of the Union this year.

In an election year, the responsibility falls on the outgoing President but, for obvious reasons, he (and eventually, she) usually doesn't give one. That said, it is still their prerogative.

The newly inaugurated President can choose to address the Congress for another reason, but it's not a real State of the Union. Usually, it's called a "Goals Address" or "Budget Address" or something like that.