President Barack Obama delivered the third State of the Union of his presidency before a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives, and for much of the hour-long address he spoke of his determination to help restore the fortunes of America's beleaguered middle class.

Obama warned Congress and the nation that middle class hopes and aspirations were at risk and in danger of being lost to a generation of Americans. He cited the example of his grandparents who were contributors to, and the beneficiaries of, the American Dream.

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For several hours Tuesday night, more than 100 people congregated in and around the 11th floor offices of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Northwest. The group at the watch party and roundtable discussions included working professionals, entrepreneurs, students, representatives from a number of non-profits, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and a delegation of elected officials from Maryland.

Before the president's speech, small groups of individuals in the lobby, boardroom and other parts of the 11th floor mingled, conversed, nibbled on hors d'oeuvres, sipped wine and other beverages and discussed politics. During Obama's speech, some made comments, others signaled agreement with the president verbally, most cheered and applauded parts of the speech that appealed to them, and reacted to Republicans who wore grim, stoic expressions much of the night.

Read more at The Washington Informer.