Apparently the State of the Union is strong

• 2012: “The state of the Union is getting stronger … the state of our Union will always be strong.”
• 2011: “The state of our Union is strong.”
• 2010: “Despite our hardships, our Union is strong.”
• 2009: “The United States of America will emerge stronger than before.”
• 2008: ”The state of our Union will remain strong.”
• 2007: “Yet we can go forward with confidence — because the state of our Union is strong.”
• 2006: “Tonight the state of our Union is strong, and together we will make it stronger.”
• 2005: ”The state of our Union is confident and strong.”
• 2004: “The state of our union is confident and strong.”
• 2003: “America is a strong nation and honorable in the use of our strength.”
• 2002: “The state of our Union has never been stronger.”
• 2001: “The entire world has seen for itself the state of our Union — and it is strong.”
• 2000: ”My fellow Americans, the state of our Union is the strongest it has ever been.”

Also on the SOTU, I’ve got a post up at the USSC investigating who started this cliche. It’s actually exactly who you’d expect. I also reveal which president gave this sour summary:

Just a year ago I reported that the state of the Union was not good. Tonight, I report that the state of our Union is better — in many ways a lot better — but still not good enough.

Bonus Tumblr fun fact!

The State of the Union has never been the following:

• Swag.
• Like… y’know, whatever.
• DEEZ NUTS.