LIVE BLOG: State of the Union

8:54pm: House Speaker John Boehner calls a Joint Session into order.

8:55pm: Boehner calling Republican House Leadership up to the Speaker's rostrum. Vice President Biden is by his side.

8:55pm: Vice President Biden is calling the Democratic Senate Leadership who will escort President into the Chamber.

9:01pm: First Lady Michelle Obama enters her box along with guests.

9:02pm: Members of the President's cabinet are entering the Chamber now.

9:02pm: Secretary Clinton is greeting members of the Supreme Court as she enters.

Several important people were seated before the session opened, including Dr. Jill Biden, the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

9:03pm: It appears things are already running a little late. The President was scheduled to be introduced at 9:01:30.

9:06pm: President Obama is making his way down to the Speaker's Rostrum.

9:09pm: President Obama greets the Supreme Court Justices and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

9:10pm: President Obama reaches the rostrum, and shakes hands with Speaker Boehner and VP Biden. They now have copies of the speech.

9:10pm: The crowd is still standng and cheering.

9:10pm: Gavel. Boehner presents POTUS.

9:11pm: The President waves to the First Lady. "Everybody, please have a seat."

9:11pm: Obama starts congratulating the 112th Congress, including "your new Speaker, John Boehner." Boehner stands and waves, mouths "Thank you."

9:11pm: Obama: "we are also mindful of the empty chair in this Chamber, and pray for the health of our colleague – and our friend – Gabby Giffords." Standing ovation.

9:13pm: Obama starts off talking about the Tucson tragedy: "Amid all the noise and passions and rancor of our public debate, Tucson reminded us that no matter who we are or where we come from, each of us is a part of something greater – something more consequential than party or political preference."

9:14pm: Obama: "What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow." They're on their feet.

Members of Congress and Cabinet members are all wearing blue and white ribbons, to honor the Tucson shooting victims.

9:16pm. Obama starts off talking about the economy. "At stake right now is not who wins the next election – after all, we just had an election. At stake is whether new jobs and industries take root in this country, or somewhere else. It’s whether the hard work and industry of our people is rewarded. It’s whether we sustain the leadership that has made America not just a place on a map, but a light to the world."

Aides said this wouldn't be a laundry list speech, but rather one of broad themes. I can see that taking shape now.

9:17pm: Obama looks back on legislative accomplishments: "Thanks to the tax cuts we passed, Americans’ paychecks are a little bigger today. Every business can write off the full cost of the new investments they make this year."

9:18pm: Obama: "The steps we’ve taken over the last two years may have broken the back of this recession – but to win the future, we’ll need to take on challenges that have been decades in the making."

9:18pm: Now he's talking broadly about how things have changed. "Steel mills that once needed 1,000 workers can now do the same work with 100. Today, just about any company can set up shop, hire workers, and sell their products wherever there’s an Internet connection."

9:19pm: Obama talks about how China and India invested in education, specifically math and science.

9:20pm: Obama: "The competition for jobs is real. But this shouldn’t discourage us. It should challenge us. Remember – for all the hits we’ve taken these last few years, for all the naysayers predicting our decline, America still has the largest, most prosperous economy in the world."

9:20pm: Obama says, "No country has more successful companies, or grants more patents to inventors and entrepreneurs."

BUT, I did an interview recently with the Alliance of American Manufacturers, and they told me that could change this year! We could lose that "more patents" title to China this year!

9:21pm: Obama: "Sustaining the American Dream has never been about standing pat. It has required each generation to sacrifice, and struggle, and meet the demands of a new age."

9:21pm: Here's the theme of the speech tonight, folks. Write this down: "We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world."

9:22pm: Remembering the Wright Brothers, Edison, Google and Facebook: "In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives. It’s how we make a living."

9:24pm: Obama: "This is our generation's Sputnik moment."

9:25pm: Here it comes, the "investment" talk. Obama: "We’ll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology – an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people." Says budget will be released soon. The week of February 15th for those of you who are dying for a little light reading!

9:26pm: First investment: Clean energy. "With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015."

9:27pm: Talking about oil companies, Obama: " I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’re doing just fine on their own."

9:27pm: A goal and a challenge from the President: "By 2035, 80 percent of America’s electricity will come from clean energy sources. Some folks want wind and solar. Others want nuclear, clean coal, and natural gas. To meet this goal, we will need them all – and I urge Democrats and Republicans to work together to make it happen."

9:28pm: Another "tag line" for this speech just made it onto the air "win the future."

9:28pm: Moving on to Education now. Obama: "the question is whether all of us – as citizens, and as parents – are willing to do what’s necessary to give every child a chance to succeed."

9:29pm. They're all standing again at this line about education. "We need to teach our kids that it’s not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair."

9:30pm: Obama says classrooms should be places of high expectations and high performance. "should be a place of high expectations and high performance" Touts current administration's policy, "Race to the Top."

9:31pm: "Race to the Top is the most meaningful reform of our public schools in a generation. For less than one percent of what we spend on education each year, it has led over 40 states to raise their standards for teaching and learning. These standards were developed, not by Washington, but by Republican and Democratic governors throughout the country. And Race to the Top should be the approach we follow this year as we replace No Child Left Behind with a law that is more flexible and focused on what’s best for our kids." Mixed applause for this, including Biden and Boehner.

9:32pm: Obama is now moving from responsibilities of parents to responsibilities of teachers. "We want to reward good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones. And over the next ten years, with so many Baby Boomers retiring from our classrooms, we want to prepare 100,000 new teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math."

9:33pm: Obama: " If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference in the life of a child – become a teacher. Your country needs you."

9:34pm: Factoid, Speaker John Boehner was a key player and negotiator in the No Child Left Behind policy of the Bush Administration.

9:34pm: Obama wants one of his middle class tax cuts to be extended forever. "I ask Congress to go further, and make permanent our tuition tax credit – worth $10,000 for four years of college."

9:35pm: I'm not sure if it's the co-mingled seating, or the broad-themed speech... but does anyone else think this seems very subdued tonight?

9:36pm: Now we're moving from education to immigration, by way of the DREAM Act.

9:36pm: Big promise from Obama here to deal with illegal immigration. Gets bi-partisan standing ovation. This will be an issue to watch, folks! "I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows. I know that debate will be difficult and take time. But tonight, let’s agree to make that effort."

9:38pm: Moving right along now.  Next topic: Infrastructure. He's talking about China. Again. Lots of China comparisons tonight. And lots of looking back. "Our infrastructure used to be the best – but our lead has slipped."

9:39pm: Obama talks about high speed rail, makes TSA joke: "or some trips, it will be faster than flying – without the pat-down."

9:40pm: Obama: "All these investments – in innovation, education, and infrastructure – will make America a better place to do business and create jobs."

9:41pm: Now, after almost 30 minutes of talking about investments, he's calling for tax cuts. " tonight, I’m asking Democrats and Republicans to simplify the system. Get rid of the loopholes. Level the playing field. And use the savings to lower the corporate tax rate for the first time in 25 years – without adding to our deficit." Everyone but the Supreme Court Justices are standing.

9:43pm: Talking trade/exports now. "Before I took office, I made it clear that we would enforce our trade agreements, and that I would only sign deals that keep faith with American workers, and promote American jobs."

9:43pm: Moving on to regulations. "When we find rules that put an unnecessary burden on businesses, we will fix them. But I will not hesitate to create or enforce commonsense safeguards to protect the American people." Obama wants it both ways. What else is new, right?

9:44pm: You can tell when it's just the Democrats clapping. It's not nearly as loud. Talk of health care brought this on, and Dems stood, Repubicans didn't. "we passed reform that finally prevents the health insurance industry from exploiting patients."

9:45pm: Obama notes some are very opposed to his health care reform, and in fact, want to overturn it.  "Now, I’ve heard rumors that a few of you have some concerns about the new health care law. So let me be the first to say that anything can be improved. If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I am eager to work with you. We can start right now by correcting a flaw in the legislation that has placed an unnecessary bookkeeping burden on small businesses."

9:46pm: So, he's willing to work with Republicans. But, with limits. "What I’m not willing to do is go back to the days when insurance companies could deny someone coverage because of a pre-existing condition." Obama points to personal stories to make his point, stories of people present in the Chamber.

9:46pm: Obama on health care: "let’s fix what needs fixing and move forward."

9:48pm: Now moving on to what is really the "hot" topic in D.C. right now, the climbing debt. Obama: "Now, the final step – a critical step – in winning the future is to make sure we aren’t buried under a mountain of debt."

9:49pm: Obama: "Tonight, I am proposing that starting this year, we freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. This would reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade, and will bring discretionary spending to the lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was president."

9:49pm: Obama: "This freeze will require painful cuts. Already, we have frozen the salaries of hardworking federal employees for the next two years. I’ve proposed cuts to things I care deeply about, like community action programs. The Secretary of Defense has also agreed to cut tens of billions of dollars in spending that he and his generals believe our military can do without."

9:50pm: Obama: "let’s make sure what we’re cutting is really excess weight. Cutting the deficit by gutting our investments in innovation and education is like lightening an overloaded airplane by removing its engine. It may feel like you’re flying high at first, but it won’t take long before you’ll feel the impact." with that, Boehner kind of made a chuckling expression.

9:51pm: This one made the Republicans happy: " I’m willing to look at other ideas to bring down costs, including one that Republicans suggested last year: medical malpractice reform to rein in frivolous lawsuits."

9:52pm: On entitlements: "To put us on solid ground, we should also find a bipartisan solution to strengthen Social Security for future generations. And we must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generations; and without subjecting Americans’ guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market." Um.... both ways again...

9:53pm: Now, he's going to make the millionaires mad with this one: "Before we take money away from our schools, or scholarships away from our students, we should ask millionaires to give up their tax break. It’s not a matter of punishing their success. It’s about promoting America’s success."

9:54pm: Sounds like he's wrapping up now. "So now is the time to act. Now is the time for both sides and both houses of Congress – Democrats and Republicans – to forge a principled compromise that gets the job done. If we make the hard choices now to rein in our deficits, we can make the investments we need to win the future."

9:55pm: Obama, talking about government redundancy and waste. Funny! "my favorite example: the Interior Department is in charge of salmon while they’re in fresh water, but the Commerce Department handles them in when they’re in saltwater. And I hear it gets even more complicated once they’re smoked."

9:56pm: You've heard of health reform, education reform, financial reform, how about whole-government reform?!?! "In the coming months, my administration will develop a proposal to merge, consolidate, and reorganize the federal government in a way that best serves the goal of a more competitive America. I will submit that proposal to Congress for a vote – and we will push to get it passed."

9:56pm: Awkward moment. Obama talks about earmarks. "If a bill comes to my desk with earmarks inside, I will veto it," Obama says. Sen. John McCain stands, grins, claps.

9:58pm: On the Iraq war: "America’s commitment has been kept; the Iraq War is coming to an end." Says 100,000 American servicewomen and men have left "with their heads held high."

9:59pm: On Afghanistan: "Thanks to our intelligence and law enforcement professionals, we are disrupting plots and securing our cities and skies."

9:59pm: "And as extremists try to inspire acts of violence within our borders, we are responding with the strength of our communities, with respect for the rule of law, and with the conviction that American Muslims are a part of our American family."

10:00pm: On Afghanistan: "The Afghan government will need to deliver better governance. But we are strengthening the capacity of the Afghan people and building an enduring partnership with them. This year, we will work with nearly 50 countries to begin a transition to an Afghan lead. And this July, we will begin to bring our troops home."

10:01pm: Democrats and Repubicans are both on their feet at this line: "In Pakistan, al Qaeda’s leadership is under more pressure than at any point since 2001. Their leaders and operatives are being removed from the battlefield. Their safe-havens are shrinking. And we have sent a message from the Afghan border to the Arabian Peninsula to all parts of the globe: we will not relent, we will not waver, and we will defeat you."

10:01pm: More bi-partisan clapping as Obama brings up hot-spots around the world. "The Iranian government now faces tougher and tighter sanctions than ever before. And on the Korean peninsula, we stand with our ally South Korea, and insist that North Korea keeps its commitment to abandon nuclear weapons."

10:03pm: Solidarity with the people of Tunisia: "Let us be clear: the United States of America stands with the people of Tunisia, and supports the democratic aspirations of all people."

10:05pm: More bi-partisan clapping going on right now, extended style. For the men and women of the military. Biden and Bohener are up, too. "onight, let us speak with one voice in reaffirming that our nation is united in support of our troops and their families. Let us serve them as well as they have served us – by giving them the equipment they need; by providing them with the care and benefits they have earned; and by enlisting our veterans in the great task of building our own nation."

10:06pm: Obama brings up the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy being overturned. Let it be noted that the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs did not stand, although many around them were standing and applauding. Obama: "Our troops come from every corner of this country – they are black, white, Latino, Asian and Native American. They are Christian and Hindu, Jewish and Muslim. And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love. And with that change, I call on all of our college campuses to open their doors to our military recruiters and the ROTC. It is time to leave behind the divisive battles of the past. It is time to move forward as one nation."

10:07pm: Obama warns Congress, it won't be easy: "We should have no illusions about the work ahead of us. Reforming our schools; changing the way we use energy; reducing our deficit – none of this is easy. All of it will take time. And it will be harder because we will argue about everything. The cost. The details. The letter of every law."

10:08pm: Points out that in other nations, things an get done faster. But, "As contentious and frustrating and messy as our democracy can sometimes be, I know there isn’t a person here who would trade places with any other nation on Earth." And, they're on their feet again!

10:09pm: Okay, he REALLY is wrapping up now! On Bipartisanship: "We may have differences in policy, but we all believe in the rights enshrined in our Constitution. We may have different opinions, but we believe in the same promise that says this is a place where you can make it if you try. We may have different backgrounds, but we believe in the same dream that says this is a country where anything’s possible. No matter who you are. No matter where you come from."

10:09pm: Obama gives shout outs to "a working class kid from Scranton" (The Vice President, Joe Biden)

10:09pm: And "someone who began by sweeping the floors of his father’s Cincinnati bar" (House Speaker John Boehner) Anyone else think Obama was trying to make Boehner cry here? This is usually the topic that brings out the waterworks.

10:11pm: Obama: "From the earliest days of our founding, America has been the story of ordinary people who dare to dream. That’s how we win the future."

10:12pm: Obama: "The idea of America endures. Our destiny remains our choice. And tonight, more than two centuries later, it is because of our people that our future is hopeful, our journey goes forward, and the state of our union is strong."

10:13pm: He's done. "The state of the union is strong."