President Obama's first State of the Union Address is set to begin soon, so let's take a few moments to consider what some of the issues are that may be raised and how they might be framed.
- Health care reform: Obviously this will covered, so the question is, will the President make a major push for Congress to get it done, or will he suggest some version of "going back to the drawing board"?
- Don't ask, don't tell: According to David Axelrod, the President will call for Congress to repeal the policy -- but will he announce an executive order in the coming days or will he wait for Congress to act?
- Economy/jobs: Not much would be more welcome in tonight's speech but to hear President Obama channeling FDR on jobs. The reality is that no Civilian Conservation Corps or Works Progressive Administration programs are likely on tap. Instead, we're likely to hear more about the green jobs being created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and tax benefits that encourage purchase of more machinery, software and other capital.
- Immigration reform: It seems unlikely that this will receive too much attention tonight -- but it seems safe to assume that it will get at least a passing mention.
- Gridlock/bipartisanship: Given the continuing hat tip to working with the other side, along with the obvious gridlock in Washington, will the President go after the GOP for their obstructionism, with promises do do it without them if they don't want to get a mop, or will there be a renewed call for Kumbaya (in other words, David Broder's dream scenario).
And of course one of the big questions about tonight's speech is, will the Republicans channel their inner teabagger (read that, shamelessly pander to the extremists in their base) by shouting out insults to the President? Keep an eye on the "gentleman" from South Carolina.
David Waldman and his crew will be following the speech at Congress Matters, if you'd like a little slower pace, or you can follow along on the White House Facebook app -- they are planning a live video chat following the speech.
So sit back and enjoy.