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Pete Souza/Wikimedia Commons

Obama nails off-script burn to Republicans during State of the Union

Presidential zingers.

 

Ramon Ramirez

Tech

Posted on Jan 21, 2015   Updated on May 29, 2021, 5:35 pm CDT

President Barack Obama appeared sharply competitive Tuesday night during the State of the Union. If there was any doubt, Obama couldn’t resist working in a presidential zinger when Republican leaders left him an opening. Here’s his speech as written:

I have no more campaigns to run. My only agenda for the next two years is the same as the one I’ve had since the day I swore an oath on the steps of this Capitol — to do what I believe is best for America. 

After the opening line, “I have no more campaigns to run,” the Republican side of the House erupted with condescending laughter. And so, Obama went off-script:

Beyond that, Obama delivered a comparatively loose, reinvigorated speech ripe with liberal red meat. Here are the highs, the lows, and the best of the night’s running one-liners.

Photo via Pete Souza/Wikipedia Commons

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*First Published: Jan 21, 2015, 12:51 am CST