Summary: Featuring guests Robert Weissman of Public Citizen and Karl Frish of Media Matters for America.

The State of the Union is…Party!, Part 1. President Obama’s latest weekly radio address, current news, and the to do list (including details of our 2010 State of the Union Watch Party). Plus, WRVU loses 15-year veteran Doyle Davis when he decides he can no longer “bring da funk,” Air America has gone dark (but not for the reasons you think), our callers think that liberals in Tennessee should just come out already, and Liberadio(!) senior Massachusetts News Correspondent, Julie Bruno, reports from the ground – just what happened to the Coakley campaign and who is this Scott Brown dude? [27MB download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100125part1.mp3)

The State of the Union is…Party!, Part 2 This hour we’re joined by Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen, who gives us the 4-1-1 on the latest Supreme Court decision to affect campaign financing, as well as Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization, Media Matters for America. Plus, the Top 10 Progressive Victories of the Obama administration (a.k.a. he brought the change and we can believe in it), Tennessee is – in reality – a nice shade of purpley blue, and public transit fans, rejoice! – the Obama administration announced this week that it is loosening the criteria for using federal funds to finance light rail, bus routes, and other public transit projects. [23MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100125part2.mp3)

Catherine Lovett & Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN, The Fghtin' 5th!)

Lovett, a graduate of Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School and Spelman College, currently serves as program assistant for the Southern Education Foundation, a nonprofit that does education policy and advocacy work for students, particularly low-income students, in the south. Her parents are both educators.

“This is beyond a dream for me,” said Lovett, who recently attended a Women in Public Policy seminar in Washington and is currently applying to graduate school. “I really enjoyed the seminar, and it kind of motivated me to get more involved in policy work…. This opportunity is the icing on the cake.”

“I’m pleased to be able to welcome a Middle Tennessean to Washington for President Obama’s first speech to Congress,” said Cooper. “I can’t think of a more appropriate person to join me tonight. Catherine is a hard worker who’s already devoting her career to make the world a better place. I hope President Obama inspires her to keep pursuing those dreams.”

This year, we’re at it again (along with the SEIU, Nashville Community Organizers, and the Davidson County Young Democrats). And even though it’s not an “official” State of the Union, that’s our story and we’re sticking to it. Let’s face it, it’s been a long time since we actually looked forward to a presidential speech in the middle of winter.

WHAT: A State of the Union Watch Party

WHO: Liberadio(!), Nashville Community Organizers, Davidson County Young Democrats, SEIU’s Change that Works Campaign, and you(!)

WHERE: Pie in the Sky, 110 Lyle Ave (Just off West End between Courtyard and Hampton Inn)

WHEN: Tuesday, February 24th, 7:00 to 10:00 PM Central (Speech and Obingo! start at 8 PM)

Like our past watch parties, there will be bingo (can you say, Barack Obingo?) for prizes, comaraderie, and beer (2 for 1 drafts!).

Unlike past watch parties, there will be approbation, optimism, and profound sense of hope. And we “hope” you can make it!

Last year we came together to watch the State of the Union to commiserate. This year we come together to celebrate! That’s right, it’s the last time we’ll have to watch a Bush report on the status of the country (at least until the 2037 candidacy of Jenna or Barbara. Or both. Can you say Co-Presidents? So awesome!).

We’ll also be playing Bush Bingo, which is like traditional Bingo except the squares are filled with words or phrases the President might use during his speech. For example, “Tax Relief” or “war on terror” or “Steroids.” Feel free to leave your own Bush Bingo word ideas in the comments section.

7:00 – 8:00 pm – Eat, drink, make merry, eye the prizes you can win playing Bush Bingo, and make predictions about the state of the union (strong? very strong? Magnus Ver Magnusson strong?)

8:00 – 9:00 pm – Watch the State of the Union and Democratic response, eat, drink, make merry, & play Bush Bingo for fun and prizes. (Please refrain from throwing things at the TV as it is not our TV. And besides, this is a celebration!)

Email feedback@liberadio.com if you have any questions and feel free to spread this invite around. See you tonight!