As a political junkie, I’ll admit it: I love the president’s annual State of the Union speeches, regardless of who’s in the White House.

Every year, I’m inspired by the ceremonial nature of the evening, as members of Congress, cabinet secretaries and Supreme Court justices gather together in a spirit of congeniality to honor one of our republic’s great traditions.

And naturally, no State of the Union address is complete without a little political posturing on both sides: During President Clinton’s speeches, Democrats were always poised to cheer and applaud, while Republicans would sit on their hands; a few years later, during the Bush presidency, those roles were reversed.

Read more at the Daily Caller.