Suggested Agenda for the 2006 State of the Union Watch Parties

1. Welcome and Introductions

• Welcome your guests and have participants introduce themselves.

2. State-specific Fact Sheets

• Download the fact sheet specific to your state and distribute to your guests for review. Encourage your guests to refer to the fact sheet as they listen to the State of the Union address so you can discuss how national issues directly impact your state after the speech.

3. Play State of the Union Bingo

• Have some fun while listening to the State of the Union address and play State of the Union Bingo. You can download the Bingo cards and Bush-inspired Bingo chips and distribute them to your guests. Click the "Reset Bingo Card" button to print a unique card for every guest.
  
  The rules are simple: Mark a square on your Bingo card every time President Bush says one of 25 key words. When you have marked 5 squares in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally), you score Bingo!

4. Watch the Democratic Response

• Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia will deliver the Democratic response to the State of the Union. His address will lay out what Democrats see as the real state of the union, and what Democrats plan to do to strengthen our country and move it forward.

5. Get on the Confrence Call

• Governor Dean will join other Democratic leaders on a call following Governor Kaine's speech for immediate reaction and opportunities for rapid response. You'll likely see Democratic leaders interviewed on TV, and then hear from them right after they sign off.

5. Speak Out

• After you've downloaded state-by-state fact-sheets, heard the Democratic response, and listened to Governor Dean and other Democratic leaders share their thoughts on the President's message, speak out. Call your local radio and TV stations and let them know what you thought about the speech, and then take a moment to write a letter to the editor of your local paper so that our Democratic voices are heard for days.