2013 State Of The Union Live Blog: Follow The Action As President Obama Delivers His Address

President Barack Obama's fifth State of the Union address is underway.

This special live blog provides coverage, commentary, context and more as Obama delivers the remarks live before a joint session of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.

The speech, which Obama is delivering just weeks after his second inauguration, will deal with topics of great import to the future of America, from gun control and immigration to foreign conflicts and the economy.

The remarks provide the president his best platform to set out his plans and priorities for his second term, and political types will be looking for indications of what he hopes to focus on for the next four years, as well as what kinds of policies he may pursue.

To stay up-to-date on our newest live blog coverage throughout the speech, simply periodically reload this page, as it will be updated every couple of minutes with insight from social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Reddit, context on the specifics of his remarks and more.

10:20 p.m: Now for the post-SOTU "media orgy," as Ted Nugent crassly described it.

10:19 p.m.: The remarks clocked in at a good bit under one hour and 15 minutes. Crammed a lot into that short time.

10:16 p.m.: "That's just the way we're made." Great quote.

10:14 p.m.: So many tragedies this year. Now he's mentioning Hurricane Sandy, the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin, voter access and more.

10:12 p.m.: Touching words about Hadiya Pendleton, who "loved Fig Newtons." Such a sad story: She was shot a week after Obama's second inauguration in a Chicago park after high school let out.

10:11 p.m.: "Each of these proposals deserve a vote in Congress."

10:10 p.m.: Finally, we get to gun violence and Newtown. "This time is different." Everyone can agree with that, but the reforms are harder. He's touting background checks, criminal resale, buybacks, etc.

10:07 p.m.: "Our sisters and daughters and moms." Keeps referring to women that way, kinda hokey, but so is the way he keeps dropping extra consonants for the national audience.

10:05 p.m.: Now Syria and Israel. Nothing too specific, but interesting on such a big stage: "We will keep the pressure on a Syrian regime that has murdered its own people and support opposition leaders that respect the rights of every Syrian. And we will stand steadfast with Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace."

10:04 p.m.: Big mention there with AIDS.

10:03 p.m.: Announcement of the pursuit of a new trade partnership with the European Union.

10:02 p.m.: The enhanced live stream is really providing a lot of extra value. Good job, White House Web team.

9:59 p.m: Veiled reference to drone controversies. Let's see if he actually uses the word "drone."

9:57 p.m.: "By the end of next year, our war in Afghanistan will be over. ... But the nature of our commitment will change." Strong but qualified words.

9:51 p.m.: Let's pass the Violence Against Women act, too. Obama's really asking a lot of Congress, but, hey, we need a lot to get done. Oh, and raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour, too.

9:49 p.m.: We all knew this was coming: On immigration reform, "now's the time to get it done." But he is saying that we need more "boots" on our sourthern border than any other time in history. But he is proposing some form of amnesty it seems.

9:41 p.m.: Obama on Congress' inaction on help for homeowners: "Take a vote, and send me that bill."

9:35 p.m.: Climate change. This is big to hear him say that tonight, as his second term is beginning. Huge.

9:33 p.m.: First couple of big pieces of news: Apple will build Macs in America (that's why Tim Cook is up in the first lady's box), and there will be new tech hubs started across the country as well.

9:30 p.m.: "The greatest nation on Earth cannot conduct its business by drifting from one manufactured crisis to the next." Good line there.

9:29 p.m.: Another year, another SOTU reference to Warren Buffet's secretary (though this one didn't include her name).

9:25 p.m.: A few audible groans as Obama mentions the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) for the first time.

9:20 p.m.: Obama talks about the importance of a "rising, thriving middle class." Sounds almost like a campaign speech so far.

9:20 p.m.: Obama: "The state of our union is strong, but we gather here knowing that there are still millions of Americans whose hard work hasn't been rewarded."

9:18 p.m.: JFK reference in the first sentence -- interesting and in the context of bringing bipartisanship it seems so far.

9:17 p.m.: Wonder if John Boehner has his fingers crossed behind his back as he introduces Obama and mentions the "honor" of being tasked with doing so.

9:11 p.m.: Ladies and gentlemen, the president is in the building. Someone could be heard screaming wildly like he's the Beatles arriving at Shea Stadium. No huge surprise there.

9:01 p.m.: Now the cabinet members. Chatter resumes as people get excited about the start of the speech.

8:59 p.m.: The proceedings are beginning. Supreme Court justices have just been announced. Silence now.

8:52 p.m.: The official White House enhanced livestream of the address has gone live. Lots of chatter and milling about so far as attendees eagerly await the president's arrival.

8:26 p.m.: The nation is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2013 State of the Union address. Stay tuned as the speech gets underway.