NOTE to students:  Read the information under “Background” below before answering the questions. 

1.  a) What is the State of the Union address?
b)  When is the State of the Union given?

2.  What will be the main focus of President Obama's State of the Union address?

3.  What priorities would President Obama like to pursue during his second term?

4.  President Obama has said he will focus on job creation in his second term.  What did he tell House Democrats he will do to try to accomplish this?

5.  List the other issues the President will focus on in his address.

6.  What could prevent the President from tackling his domestic agenda?

7.  Who will deliver the Republican response to the State of the Union?

CHALLENGE — Watch the State of the Union address and answer the following questions:

1.  Tone is the attitude a speaker takes towards a subject. What was the tone of President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union address?

2. What was the overall theme of the president’s speech?

3.  a) What general statement did President Obama make about the economy in his address to the nation?
b) What is your reaction to this assurance?
c) Ask a parent the same question.

4. List the specific things the President promised to do to improve the economy.

5.  What new initiatives did President Obama propose in his State of the Union?

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

7.  a) Do you think the President is focusing on the correct issues? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.

8.  What issue presented by President Obama was the most important to you?  Did any aspect of the speech disappoint you?  Explain your answers.

9. a) Do you think the President is focusing on the correct issues? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.

10. Watch the Republican response to the President’s State of the Union. What do you think of Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s response?  Be specific.