It's an American tradition.
When the president weighs in how things are going in Washington and around the country, every word is debated and analyzed. Here's a snapshot of this week's views in the media.
Snippets from the Right
An Instantly Forgettable State of the Union Address, Town Hall
President Obama delivered an unremarkable speech tonight in which he advocated a number of small-ball initiatives, several of which were repeats from previous years.
…
Obama pretended that Republicans are opposed to extending unemployment benefits to the long-term unemployed. Although economic evidence suggests that extended benefits reduce recipients' incentive to find and accept jobs, Republicans are open to re-upping them, so long as they're paid for.
…
And like a broken record, he called for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, home to some of the world's most dangerous terrorists.
Snippets from the Left
The Diminished State of the Union, New York Times
As the president forcefully described, inequality has deepened and upward mobility has stalled. If Republicans in Congress stymie the public’s needs and desires, Mr. Obama should employ every tool in his box to bypass those barriers.
...
Most of the executive actions in the speech have the potential to make a difference, though their diminished scope demonstrates the lost potential caused by political intransigence.
Snippets from the Center
State of the Union: What he said, what he meant, Politico
What he said: "Now, I don’t expect to convince my Republican friends on the merits of this [Healthcare] law… So again, if you have specific plans to cut costs, cover more people, and increase choice – tell America what you’d do differently. Let’s see if the numbers add up."
What he meant: "I am so tired of listening to Republicans complain about my health law. What viable alternative have they offered? Bupkis. Zip it."
See these stories and more on this topic on AllSides.