President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address to Congress on Jan. 12, marking an early start to what’s expected to be a year more dominated by politics than accomplishments.
“As we look ahead to the new year, we have both an opportunity and an obligation to find common ground to advance the nation’s interests at home and abroad. We also owe it to the American people to present solutions that address the challenges they face,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a letter issuing the invite to the president.
It will be the earliest such speech since President Ford’s address in 1977, which also came on Jan. 12.
In this case, the early date means Mr. Obama won’t be caught up in the presidential campaigns, which kick off Feb. 1 with Iowa’s caucuses.
But it will also be among the least influential of the president’s speeches, given that much of the country will have turned its attention to the contest to pick his successor, and given the makeup of Congress, which is now firmly in the GOP’s hands.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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