Politics & Government

State of the Union: What Do You Care About?

President Obama is expected to touch on taxes, manufacturing, education and more. What do you think is most important?

President Obama promises his State of the Union speech Tuesday night will outline a lasting economic recovery that will "work for everyone, not just a wealthy few." On what issues do you want the president to focus when he addresses the nation?

In a video preview sent to supporters Saturday, Obama said his election-year speech will be an economic blueprint built around manufacturing, energy, education and American values. He is also expected to announce ideas to make college more affordable and address the lingering housing crisis, according to an Associated Press report. Obama will also propose fresh ideas to ensure the wealthy pay more in taxes, reiterating what he considers a matter of basic fairness, the report said.

The morning after the State of the Union, Obama will take his message on a three-day trip around the country, including a stop at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Friday, The Detroit News reported.

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Watch, participate in the State of the Union

Tuesday’s address will be shown on major TV networks and streamed live online via YouTube and on the White House website.

  • 8 p.m.: Watch an enhanced version of the speech that features graphics, data and statistics that highlight the issues the president is discussing on whitehouse.gov/sotu. Use the hashtag #SOTU to discuss the speech live.
  • 9 p.m.-ish: Senior advisors will answer your questions about the president’s address submitted via twitter (use #WHChat and #SOTU), Facebook and an in-person audience of tweetup participants.
  • 4:30 p.m. Jan. 30: In an event called Your Interview with President Obama and live-streamed on YouTube, the president will be fielding pre-selected questions from average Americans “in the first completely virtual interview from the White House.” Submit questions through Saturday at the White House YouTube channel. “He’ll be answering several of the most popular questions that have been submitted through YouTube, and some of the people who submitted questions will even be invited to join the President in the Hangout and take part in the live conversation,” according to the White House Blog

What issues want to hear the president address? Talk back in the comments.

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