Courtesy of Congress.gov. Congressional Record Vol 160, No. 16

Description

President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union Address on 28th January 2014 to a Joint Session of Congress. The Constitution requires presidents to give Congress their perspective on the condition of the country and to recommend laws they think Congress should enact. In the Address, President Obama uses numerous sports references.

Full Transcript of Report on the State of the Union Delivered to a Joint Session of Congress on January 28, 2014

Transcript of Excerpt from Report on the State of the Union Delivered to a Joint Session of Congress on January 28, 2014

Source-Dependent Questions

Presidents deliver State of the Union addresses to Congress every year near the end of January. In the Address, they recommend laws they want Congress to pass. In the 2014 State of the Union, President Obama used a number of sports metaphors to explain the laws he was recommending. As you read the excerpts, what sports references do you recognize? List them.
Why do you think politicians feel comfortable getting their messages to the public by using sports metaphors?
How does this reflect unity among Americans?

Citation Information

Report on the State of the Union Delivered to a Joint Session of Congress on January 28, 2014. Congressional Record Vol 160, No.16. Congress.gov