DES MOINES -- On Tuesday, January 24th supporters of President Obama across the country will host more than 2,500 parties to watch the President deliver the annual State of the Union address, in which he will lay his vision, priorities and important policies for the year.

Across Iowa, supporters of the President will gather in their neighborhoods to watch the speech, celebrate their work so far, and to build on their organizing plans for the coming year.

***Media interested in covering the event should RSVP to press@ofaiowa.com ***

WHAT:           State of the Union Address Watch Party

WHEN:           Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 7:30PM

DES MOINES

Tally's Restaurant, 2712 Beaver Avenue, Beaverdale

Bennigans, 4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale

CEDAR RAPIDS

Home of Rebecca Lain, 222 9th Street NW, Cedar Rapids

Home of Denny and Karla Goettel, 3440 Grant Wood Forest Lane SE, Cedar Rapids

IOWA CITY

The Mill, 120 E. Burlington Street, Iowa City

CEDAR FALLS

Home of Natalie Surigra, 1708 Quail Ridge Rd, Cedar Falls

DUBUQUE

Home of Dianne Roche, 5451 Meadow Ct, Asbury

DAVENPORT

Mary Sue's Café, 1615 N. Harrison St., Davenport

Buzz Coffee Shop, 116 W. Davenport St., Eldridge

COUNCIL BLUFFS

Home of Chuck Rensink, 15460 Crestview Dr., Council Bluffs

SIOUX CITY

Home of Linda Smoley, 6836 Cypress Point, Sioux City

http://www.barackobama.com/news/entry/state-of-the-union-preview

(Washington, D.C.) The Tea Party Express has selected businessman and former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain to provide a response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 24th.

"Herman Cain has been a steadfast advocate for Tea Party values of smaller government and more personal liberty while fighting for practical solutions to the issues facing our nation," said Sal Russo, Chief Strategist for the Tea Party Express,  in a prepared statement. "Americans are fed up with the Washington politics that fails to address America's fiscal woes."

This marks the second year the Tea Party has added another voice to the traditional rebuttal of the president's speech. Last year, Minnesota Republican Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann delivered the Tea Party response, declaring that "the Tea Party is a dynamic force for good in our national conversation."

Mr. Cain agrees and the 'Unconventional Candidate" is eager to re-direct the national conversation.  "America is Broke...and Broken. This is not a Democrat problem. This is not a Republican problem. This is an American problem. It's time for 'We the People' to demand our candidates commit to real, bold solutions to the problems that are endangering our nation.

As was the case in 2011, The Tea Party response will follow the Republican remarks, to be made this year by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. Mr. Cain says his own speech will complement the message he expects from Governor Daniels. "I highly regard Mitch Daniels and the reforms he has made as governor of Indiana. The intent of my remarks is not to dismiss or downplay what I expect to be an excellent and pointed Republican response, but to include the voice of the people...the ones who are truly in charge of this country and who are yearning for leadership and solutions."

Mr. Cain believes "this administration has not been honest with America and is leading our nation down a pathway to financial ruin." Cain said. "The American people deserve more than a smokescreen to cover up a crisis. They deserve to hear the truth from our president, and believe that our elected officials will actually advance real solutions to our problem, not just pay lip-service in an election year."

The Tea Party response to the State of the Union address will take place at 10:30 p.m. EST at the National Press Club. You can watch online at TeaPartyExpress.org.

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Mike Smiddy (38), candidate for State Representative in Illinois' 71st District received an enormous boost in his bid to become the democratic nominee when on Thursday he received the endorsements of the Northwest Illinois Building Trades and the Illinois AFL-CIO.  The Northwest Illinois Building Trades represents unions in Whiteside County the northern part of the 71st District while the Illinois AFL-CIO represents 1,500 local unions and nearly one million union members throughout the State of Illinois.

"Growing up in a middle class family and being the son of a UAW retiree I am extremely proud to have received these organizations support.  It is the hard work of organized labor that created the middle class in America and I plan to be a voice in the Illinois Legislature for those values and Ideals."

Smiddy, a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #46 at the East Moline Correctional Center believes that each generation is suppose to do better than the previous one.  If Illinois continues down its current path, our children and grandchildren may not be able to reach their potential because of our failures.

"We must demand more from our elected officials.  Being able to believe in the American Dream that we can achieve our goals by hard work and dedication is what our communities were built on. Illinoisans need to be able to trust those that they elect and send to Springfield.  Citizens need to have the confidence that the decisions that are being made by our leaders are done for the right reasons."

Since announcing his candidacy back in September, Smiddy has also received endorsements from the following organizations:

Laborers Local #309 (Rock Island)

The Quad City Federation of Labor

The Tri-City Building Trades

The Great Plains Laborer's District Council (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana)

Rock Island Firefighters Association Local #26

Illinois AFL-CIO

Northwest Illinois Building Trades

Quad City - Illinois UAW CAP Council Endorsement Recommendation