It’s one of the most important nights of the year. The State of the Union communicates to the American public what’s on the president’s agenda for the coming year.
But it’s also the closest Washington gets to a red carpet event, and packing all of those egos under one dome is sure to bring out the claws.
First up:
Obama’s Republican Potshot
It was a given that President Obama would use the State of the Union to remind the new Republican majority who’s boss, but no one expected him to do it in the smoothest way possible.
— Pauline Barr (@im1badrn) January 21, 2015
Republicans have criticized the president of political posturing. To that, Obama said, “I have no more campaigns to run.”
Sarcastic applause followed, and he added, “I know because I won both of them.”
— knowledge™ (@Corderoknows) January 21, 2015
John McCain and Mitt Romney immediately ran out to buy twin pints of Ben & Jerry’s.
The remark easily became an internet favorite of the night.
— LoveKeke (@TakeyraKekeLove) January 21, 2015
— Daniel K. (@fuzzysquid) January 21, 2015
— Daryl Bjoraas (@dbjoraas) January 21, 2015
— Lizzuendo (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) January 21, 2015
Teddy Bear Cruz Flub
The official Republican response to the president’s address was given by Joni Ernst, the oh-so-folksy freshman Senator from Iowa.
But for reasons not fully articulated, Ted Cruz felt it necessary to throw in his own two cents, only to decide midway through it probably wasn’t such a great idea.
Setting up shop in front of what can only be assumed is an anonymous pioneer’s kneecap, Cruz put on his most painfully earnest face and tore into the president’s policies.
“Median incomes have stagnated for over a decade,” Cruz says.
And after an enormously pregnant pause, adds, “meh…let me start over.”
The video found its way onto YouTube, where Cruz staffers were quick to remove it. But a handful of industrious Cruz fans have, thankfully, reposted the original video.
Michelle Obama Would Rather Be Watching ‘The Good Wife’
Of course, the State of the Union isn’t completely about political rivalries. Sometimes it’s about paying homage to the ones you love.
For the first lady, this person is Julianna Margulies.
— Taylor Cole Miller (@taycole) January 21, 2015
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 21, 2015
Many people noted that the first lady’s dress appeared to be an exact duplicate of one worn by the actress in an episode of CBS’ “The Good Wife.”
The black and white Michael Kors suit is already flying off the shelves at Nordstroms.
“The state of style – pretty powerful,” Kors tweeted.
— Michael Kors (@MichaelKors) January 21, 2015
