(Image Source: The White House)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

A show of good will after a whole lot of bad blood.

KABC reports, lawmakers are gonna mix it up at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.

“Bipartisan seating. More than 120 members of Congress have agreed to sit side-by-side regardless of their political affiliation.”

But until then -- it seems the seating chart is the only thing bipartisan on Capitol Hill.

“...expected to be a politically charged State of the Union address.”

NY1

“Speaker John Boehner already said, quote, ‘I think it's pathetic.’”

MSNBC

“One Colorado congressman will not attend the State of the Union address tomorrow. Fifth District Republican Doug Lamborn says he doesn't support the policies of President Obama.”

KCNC

But plenty of others will probably be watching on TV.  43 million people watched last year in what many consider to be the most important speech the president gives every year.  Over the weekend, President Obama gave a preview of what he’s planning to say Tuesday night.

“I’ll lay out my blueprint for actions we need to take together – not just me, or Congress, but every American – to rebuild an economy where hard work and responsibility are rewarded.  An economy that’s built to last.”

The speech will be sandwiched between two GOP presidential debates -- and amid a fiery campaign for the Republican nomination. Fox Business points out -- it could be President Obama’s last State of the Union speech, and he’s expected to draw a distinction between himself and his GOP challengers.

“Wants to portray himself as the defender of middle class in America as opposed to Republicans. Happy to paint a contrast between different visions here. Take that to the election.”

In his 2011 speech, the president urged Congress to work together. That didn’t exactly pan out -- considering all the times you might remember hearing the phrase “government shutdown looming” last year. For USA Today, Richard Wolf takes a look at some of the president’s other goals.

He notes, last year the president proposed freezing domestic spending for the next five years.

“What happened: … domestic and defense spending will be cut by nearly $1 trillion over 10 years.”

On taxes, Mr. Obama said a permanent extension of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans was unaffordable. Wolf notes:

“What happened: He's still asking. The tax cuts ... were extended in 2010 for two more years... That's when the battle will be fought — after the elections.”

So -- a mixed record. But The Daily Political says -- that’s not entirely the President’s fault.


“The president’s promises were broken because of congressional opposition as well as being overshadowed by other priorities. These are the realities of a government full of bureaucracy.”


After President Obama delivers his speech, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will give the GOP response. Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, who dropped out in December, will rebut on behalf of the Tea Party.