The State of the State of the Union
20 hours late

I would have live-blogged this, but for the following three things:
1. I lack the initiative.
2. Can't really stress that first reason enough. And,
3. (The kicker:) Very few people actually read this blog. So it wouldn't have been worth the hassle.

Away we go:

Blue tie. The speech hasn’t even started yet, and I’m already behind the 8-ball in the predictions quiz.

Top billing to Coretta Scott King was a nice choice.

"The state of the union is strong, and together we will make it stronger." 0 for 2.

"The terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear." Which I guess makes them aptly named.

"America rejects the false comfort of isolationism." Take that, traditional conservatives!

"Those of us in public office have a duty to speak with candor." We don't do it, of course, but we at least respect the fact that a lot of people expect it.

Anyone else notice that he seems to be relying more heavily on the teleprompter on his right side (the Democratic side [and the Sam Alito side]) than the one on his left hand side (the Republican side)?

"Freedom is on the march." I didn't particularly admire the rhetoric of that sentence the first time he used it, and that was several years ago. Yet still it continues to thrive. I've got a great mental picture of George W. Bush, 93 years old, while watching the holonews with his virtual great-grandson, saying approvingly of the invasion of Australia by PepsiMobilChina, "Freedom is on the march, little George! Freedom is on the march."

"I urge Congress to act responsibly, and make the tax cuts permanent." Finally got one right!

What the speech text said: "This year my budget will cut it again, and reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities." What the President said: "This year my budget will cut it again, and reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs... that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities." A little pause can make all the difference in the world.

"Our government has a responsibility to provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility." Really? (I half-expected the applause following this particular line to fade out as Members mentally processed the second clause of that sentence.)

Topline priority for the Advanced Energy Initiative? Investing in more coal-fired plants. You can't make this stuff up, folks.

Closing strong: nearly finished, and we've just hit the highlight of the speech: the President calls on Congress - with a reference to "the Creator," no less - to prohibit the creation of "human-animal hybrids." I surrender.