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Podcasts Take Two
Do we still need a State of the Union address?
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Jan 20, 2015
Listen • 4:13
Do we still need a State of the Union address?
Washington Post political reporter Philip Bump joins Take Two to discuss the history of the State of the Union address, whether it's outgrown its original purpose, and why the tradition continues.
File: President Barack Obama smiles as he arrives to deliver his State of the Union speech on Capitol Hill on Jan. 28, 2014 in Washington, DC.
President Barack Obama smiles as he arrives to deliver his State of the Union speech on Capitol Hill on Jan. 28, 2014 in Washington, DC.
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Larry Downing-Pool/Getty Images
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Washington Post political reporter Philip Bump joins Take Two to discuss the history of the State of the Union address, whether it's outgrown its original purpose, and why the tradition continues.

President Obama will head to Capitol Hill to give his State of the Union address tonight and lay out his proposals for the home stretch of his presidency.

But the White House has been releasing information about the President's proposals for weeks now, including free community college, tax hikes for the wealthy and paid sick leave.

So do we even need a State of the Union address anymore?

Washington Post political reporter Philip Bump joins Take Two to discuss the history of the State of the Union address, whether it's outgrown its original purpose, and why the tradition continues.