His National Export Initiative to double exports in five years, announced in his State of the Union message, cannot meet its goals unless the U.S. signs and ratifies trade deals fast.

FORBES: Can the Korea Free-Trade Deal Pass Congress?

The short-term sentiment on Wall Street is skittish to say the least as many feared that stocks would drop sharply after the State of the Union message but so far the futures are actually up slightly.

FORBES: Can't Keep a Strong Sector Down

Barack Obama, who called for the repeal of DADT while running for president and again in his state-of-the-union message at the beginning of this year, instructed Mr Gates to consider the effects of such a move.

ECONOMIST: A Pentagon report gives gays the all-clear

He can do so in his state-of-the-union message on January 27th.

ECONOMIST: The Massachusetts election

Look back to December 2, 1823, when President James Monroe sent his message to Congress, his State of the Union, warning powers not to interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere.

FORBES: The Drama Fades, and the Speech Endures