State of the Union: Draft after draft

By Jinitzail Hernández

Posted February 4, 2020 at 6:40am

Rep. Josh Gottheimer was one of the youngest staffers on the Clinton administration’s speech writing team.

“The good news is I was only 23 so I don’t think I realized just how overwhelmed I should have been by being in the West Wing,” said Gottheimer while showing CQ Roll Call the Clinton speech memorabilia adorning his walls.

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Watch the New Jersey Democrat recall the many drafts and just how last minute the State of the Union comes together.

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Maine state Auditor Matt Dunlap, the Democratic nominee for the state's 2nd District, attends the party's nominating convention in Bangor on Saturday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, here at a 2024 rally in Pittsburgh, is favored to win a second term this fall. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

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A military body bearer team carries Sen. Lindsey Graham’s casket down the Capitol steps on Tuesday, after a ceremony in the Rotunda. The South Carolina Republican died July 11.

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“I have a very specific niche within the president’s orbit, which is congressional politics,” says Rep. Brian Jack, seen here at a House hearing last year.

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