Use this post as an open-thread about the president’s speech and the Republican response.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell will be providing tonight’s Republican response to the President’s State of the Union Address from the floor of the House of Delegates and will deliver a message that will not be unfamiliar to Virginia residents.
McDonnell will highlight six major themes in approximately ten minutes in front of about 300 invited guests who will be seated behind him on risers. In McDonnell’s “positive, upbeat, and consistent manner”, he will talk about education, energy, jobs, national security, health care and government spending, said Tucker Martin, McDonnell’s spokesman.
“We don’t have sixty minutes like the president, so we can’t get into the weeds,” said Martin. “But the speech’s language will be clear and concise, and, if you have followed Bob McDonnell, you will know this speech.”
McDonnell will highlight where Republicans and the president have common ground, such as on charter schools, but will certainly point out differences, especially on government spending.
McDonnell, who was a member of the House of Delegates for fourteen years, will not speak from the dais in the House Chambers, but actually from the floor and in front of a live audience. The audience is invited and will consist of members of the General Assembly, business owners, and members of the military, among others.
Bearing Drift will have interviews with Congressman Forbes and Congressman Wittman following the speeches (check about 11 p.m.). Follow tweets about the event using hashtag #SOTU.
Here’s tonight’s timeline:
8:35 p.m. ET: Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls House to order. Barry Sullivan, Majority Floor Services Chief, announces the Senate, preceded by its officers and Vice President Joe Biden. The Speaker calls the Joint Session to order.
8:50 p.m.: Dr. Jill Biden is escorted into the Executive Gallery.
8:57 p.m.: First Lady Michelle Obama is escorted into the Executive Gallery.
9:01:30 p.m.: Barry Sullivan announces, ‘Madame Speaker,’ and then steps to the side. Wilson Livingood, House Sergeant at Arms, immediately follows to declare, ‘the president of the United States,’ who shakes hands with members along the center aisle on his way to the rostrum
9:05 p.m. The Speaker introduces the President to Senators and Representatives.
9:06 p.m. The President begins speech.
c. 9:50 p.m. The President concludes speech.
c. 9:52 p.m. Republican Response
c. 11 p.m. Podcast interviews posted on BD from Rep. Rob Wittman and Rep. J. Randy Forbes.
