1. What was the main focus of President Obama's State of the Union Address?

2. Which issues did the President bypass altogether, or just mention briefly?

3. The reporter inserts her opinion to assert in para. 14 that the President taxed Americans' patience by giving an address that lasted over an hour - longer than any State of the Union since the Clinton presidency. Do you think this is an accurate observation? Explain your answer.

4. Which issues (upon which he campaigned and won the presidency) did President Obama last night say he would continue to work toward achieving?

5. What military issue did the President assure his supporters he would work on achieving this year with Congress?

6. In his address, President Obama pushed Congress to enact a second stimulus package. How did he say this and other spending would help small businesses?

7. In his address, the President acknowledged frustration at the government's habit of spending more than it has and also said that he would demand a three-year freeze on some domestic spending. During his presidential campaign, Mr. Obama promised the American people a "net spending cut." However, he signed a stimulus bill that spends $800 billion, and he has proposed a budget that would increase spending by $1 trillion over the next decade and asked for additional billions for a second stimulus bill.
a) Do you think that President Obama's policies are helping or harming the economy? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.

8. If you haven't done so already, watch/read the President's State of the Union Address at WhiteHouse.gov.
a) Do you think the President is focusing on the correct issues? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.

CHALLENGE QUESTION: Watch/read the Republican response to the President's State of the Union at c-span.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-A-28954. What do you think of Gov. McDonnell's response?