Where was Obama the centrist in his State of the Union?  —  If you were expecting a moderate Obama or a bold Obama, you were disappointed, most likely, by Tuesday's State of the Union Address.  In a nutshell: Obama proposed a ton of new domestic spending, promised to freeze discretionary spending …

President Obama to Propose Partial Budget Freeze and Earmark Ban Tonight*  —  Pursuing a path of deficit reduction and government reform, President Obama will tonight in his State of the Union address call for a ban on earmarks and he will propose a five year budget freeze …

National Journal leaks SOTU early  —  So much for all of the White House's efforts to keep the details of President Barack Obama's second State of the Union address under wraps until delivery.  —  At 7:14 p.m. - almost two hours before Obama was scheduled to speak in the House chamber …

The text of the State of the Union Address from a Democratic insider who has violated the White House embargo.  —  Via the National Journal.  —  UPDATE 1: … But the challenges were “bigger than party, and bigger than politics” before, when you “move[d] forward” on your own, with only your party.

Harry Reid blasts Obama on earmarks  —  'I think it's the wrong thing to do.  I don't think it's helpful,' said Reid of an earmarks ban.  AP Photo  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blasted President Barack Obama on earmarks in advance of his State of the Union address Tuesday, when he's expected to call for a ban.

CNN Poll: More than half of speech watchers have very positive reaction  —  Washington (CNN) - A majority of Americans who watched President Obama's State of the Union address said they had a very positive reaction to his speech, according to a poll of people who viewed Tuesday night's address.

Tea party to Bachmann: You don't speak for the tea party  —  Rep. Michele Bachmann has been steeped in tea party politics for the last two years, but she may be overstepping her bounds as she increasingly attaches herself to a movement that insists it has no party and no leader.

CNN justifies airing Bachmann speech: “Tea Party has become major force in American politics”  —  CNN, which is taking some criticism from both sides for agreeing to air Michele Bachmann's response to Obama's speech tonight, sends over a statement justifying the move:

Bachmann: Founding fathers ‘worked tirelessly’ to end slavery  —  WASHINGTON - Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) said the United States was founded on racial and ethnic diversity and that the founding fathers were responsible for abolishing slavery.  —  Speaking at an event sponsored by Iowans For Tax Relief …