Obama's 2011 State of the Union Address

The screenshot above depicts the headline story, centered on the topic of childrearing and housekeeping, featured on the home page of the New York Times website. After processing what I had just viewed, I was completely baffled! –How had President Obama’s State of the Union Address not captured the spotlight of the featured headline on the home page? But after some further investigation, all was restored when I found my way to “The Times in Print” section and saw that the President’s Address had been covered in the headlines under the story “Obama Providing Bipartisan Effort to Win the Future.” (Phew! That was close...)

An important word I want to highlight in the title of this article is “Bipartisan,” which undisputedly played a key role in the atmosphere of last night’s event. Breaking the traditional seating arrangements during the State of the Union Address, Republicans and Democrats sat side-by-side last night in an effort to go beyond partisanship. Although it was an interesting idea, it seemed to create an “awkward” atmosphere as one news reporter claimed on air after the address. To prep for my own personal viewing, I decided to watch a few Addresses from years past, and I must say that I have to agree with another news reporter when he remarks the audience’s response as subdued. The fervor and protest seemed to really be lacking, making for an almost muted audience, which I think could be linked to the seating arrangement. Whether or not bipartisanship was successfully executed during last night’s address is unclear; however, the attempt at such an idea undoubtedly induced a change in environment. 

Also, it is important to suggest that the integrated seating was not the only possible cause of the somewhat dull tone in the room where President Obama gave his State of the Union Address. In fact, I think the tragic shooting involving Gabby Giffords also played a large role in the stillness during yesterday’s speech. Obama respectfully mentioned Giffords’s state of stability in the hospital in addition to the others also involved in the Tucson Shooting.