Watch SOTU 2015 LIVE via White House YouTube Channel

President Obama Delivers the State of the Union A…: http://youtu.be/NPHH1Ykx1jY

Coup in Yemen Makes Final Push

Yemen's powerful Shiite Houthi rebels shelled the residence of the country's embattled president Tuesday and simultaneously swept into the presidential palace in the capital, Sanaa, as a top military commander warned that a full-fledged "coup" was underway.

'COUP' IN YEMEN - http://huff.to/1J3cUCT

Labor Needs Obama and Dems More Than Ever

In his state of the union address tonight, President Obama is likely to talk about working families and their financial struggles. That means he is sure to give a nod to the nation’s labor unions, whose influence is still strong with the White House – if not with as many American workers as in the past.

State of the (Labor) Union: movement still counts on the White House http://gu.com/p/44qae

2015 SOTU

State of the Union: Obama's Robin Hood turn http://www.cnn.com//2015/01/20/politics/state-of-the-union-address-2015-preview/index.html

The Gang of Six

In an effort to reach a Budget deal on increasing the debt ceiling the U.S. Senate has passively consented to turning over all negotiating to six Senators. The "Gang of Six" made up of three Democrats and three Republicans are working with President Obama to strike a balance between cutting the budget and finding ways to generate spending revenue. The new broke today that the "Gang" has put together a package that will make changes to the formula for calculating cost of living for Senior citizens currently on Social Security. The new recalculation in the cost of living equation will result in Seniors bring home appox. $500-$1000 LESS each year. For a Senior citizen on a fixed income (average income of Seniors of Social Security is $14,000 a year) this will be devastating. The ONLY Senator actively shedding light on the impact of the recalculation is Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Below is the speech he gave today on this issue.

Senator Sanders on Increased Oil Prices

As our gas prices go up so do the profits for the big Oil companies. Why is the price of gas going up so fast? Senator Bernie Sanders (VT-I) explains:

Huntsman

Minutes ago the story broke that Jon Huntsman Jr. (former Governor of UT) will officially announce his Presidential campaign on June 21. Not only is Jon Huntsman instantly the most interesting Republican in the field, but he is without a doubt the most qualified GOP candidate and will pose a serious challenge to President Obama's reelection effort. Even President Obama respects Huntsman and his qualifications. In 2009 President Obama appointed Huntsman as the U.S. Ambassador to China (perhaps the most important Ambassadorship in the U.S. right now). Mostly because of his moderate positions I don't know if Huntsman can win the Republican Primary, but even if he can't win in the Primary he will certainly raise the level of everyone's game and IF he can somehow win the Primary he has a realistic chance to win it all on November 6, 2012. No one can predict if he would be an effective President given the enormity of the office, but he is the type of Republican that everyone can respect. What we do know is that Huntsman does not represent the lunatic fringe of the party and has yet to bend on his positions just to win a Republican primary vote (I will be watching this more closely). At the end of the day, if Jon Huntsman and President Obama get a chance to debate each other as to which road is the best way forward for the country I am confident that the nation and indeed the world will get a chance to see the very best of both parties running for the highest office in American Politics. Below are President Obama's own words about Jon Huntsman when the President appointed him as the U.S. Ambassador to China.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good morning, everybody. I am here to announce today the distinguished public servant I'm appointing as our nation's new ambassador to the People's Republic of China. I'm making this appointment mindful of its extraordinary significance.

Given the breadth of issues at stake in our relationship with China, this ambassadorship is as important as any in the world –- because the United States will best be able to deal effectively with....

...global challenges in the 21st century by working in concert with China.

There are few countries in the world with a past so rich or a future so full of possibility as China. With a vast population, a growing economy, and far-reaching influence, China will have a crucial role in confronting all the major challenges that face Asia and the world in the years ahead.

And that's why we're working with the government of China to stem the financial crisis that's devastated economies around the world and help lay a foundation for sustainable growth and lasting prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.

That's why I've spoken with Chinese President Hu Jintao about a number of regional threats, including the situations in North Korea and Pakistan. And that's why we will continue working together with China on a whole host of global challenges -- ranging from energy and climate change to public health; from nuclear non-proliferation to terrorism and violent extremism.

I believe there's much to be gained from a closer, working relationship with China. But improved relations with China will require candor and open discussion about those issues where we don't always agree, such as human rights and democracy and free speech. And it will require that each of our nations play by the rules in open and honest competition.

And that's why this ambassadorship takes on such importance. I can think of no one better suited to take on this assignment than the Governor of the great state of Utah, Jon Huntsman.

When I asked Jon to accept this critical post, I knew it would require a sacrifice on the part of his family, and I want to thank Mary Kaye and all of their children for making this possible. I knew it would require a sacrifice from Jon –- who will be giving up a seat as a popular governor, having just been reelected to a second term.

And I hope the good people of Utah will forgive me and understand how proud they should be of their governor for his willingness to answer his nation's call.

Finally, I knew that because Jon is not only a Republican, but a Republican who co-chaired my opponent's campaign for the presidency, this wouldn't be the easiest decision to explain to some members of his party.

But here's what I also know. I know that Jon is the kind of leader who always puts country ahead of party and is always willing to sacrifice on behalf of our nation. That's what Jon has always done. Throughout his career, Jon has shown a willingness to move beyond the old ideologies and stale debates that all too often bring progress to a standstill. Time and again, he's brought people together across party lines to overcome our common challenges and to move our nation forward.

What Jon brings to this post isn't just a steadfast commitment to advancing the interests of the American people; it's a lifetime of knowledge and experience that will help advance this important partnership. Jon brings to this post experience as a former ambassador to Singapore, who's intimately familiar with many of the most pressing challenges confronting Asia.

He brings experience both in the private sector and as Deputy United States Trade Representative to Asia and Africa, where he stood up for America's economic interests abroad. And Jon is well prepared to build a partnership that reflects a new understanding between our two countries because he's lived in Asia three times and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

That's the kind of ambassador we need in China –- an ambassador who has a respect for China's proud traditions, who understands what it will take to make America more competitive in the 21st century, and who will be an unstinting advocate for America's interests and ideals. With Jon Huntsman representing the United States in China,

I'm confident that we will launch a new era of partnership between our two nations that will advance our shared dreams of opportunity and security in America, in Asia, and around the world.

So I'm extraordinarily pleased to announce that Jon Huntsman will be our ambassador to China, and I can think of no more important assignment than creating the kinds of bridges between our two countries that will determine the well-being not just of Americans and Chinese, but also the future of the world. So, with that, I'd like to have Jon say a few words. Thank you, Jon.