The State of the Union is televised and covered by countless media organizations, but traditionally few people actually get to see what goes on behind the scenes. Thanks to social media, all that has changed.
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Add as an interest to stay up to date on the latest news, video, and analysis from ABC News.Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to attend one of the biggest events in Washington.
There's lots of preparation involved, from Senate pages to TV crews who camp out all day.
#Senate Pages (on their FIRST day!) follow behind the procession of Senators as they make their way to see the #SOTU pic.twitter.com/p39SDSVUns
— SenateSergeantAtArms (@SenateSAA) January 21, 2015
Camera crews are set up and ready to go in Statuary Hall for tonight's State of the Union. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/OiTb7ahYmJ
— SenateSergeantAtArms (@SenateSAA) January 20, 2015
DC's version of the red carpet, but with less shiny outfits. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/C7qYVzaPkP
— Rachel Quester (@rquester) January 21, 2015
The White House and Senior Aide Dan Pfeiffer trolled followers a bit as well.
President Obama's suiting up for the big speech. Watch at 9pm ET ? http://t.co/NKU3ndKHOu #YesWeTan pic.twitter.com/l7EJZYVk9s
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 21, 2015
ABC journalists also shared what they saw leading up to the speech.
Love coming to Martha's town. RT @alex_mallin: .@MarthaRaddatz joins @DavidMuir ahead of the #SOTU address. pic.twitter.com/ceNwRbJZ0M
— David Muir (@DavidMuir) January 21, 2015
The view above me as I study up on the SOTU. Beats my office. pic.twitter.com/I0yIvFruRE
— Martha Raddatz (@MarthaRaddatz) January 21, 2015
The Supreme Court robes have arrived at the Capitol! Now we just need the Justices! pic.twitter.com/jrdwNnJQQA
— Martha Raddatz (@MarthaRaddatz) January 20, 2015
Love that RBG brought reading material RT @powelldennis: Look who just showed up at the #SOTU via ABC's Cindy Smith: pic.twitter.com/BZkne9tN6v
— Karen Travers (@karentravers) January 21, 2015
.@ABC press booth at the #capitol #sotu pic.twitter.com/9XRlRlMArd
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 21, 2015
ABC Digital Producer Benjamin Bell met up with Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Illinois, to to get his take on the speech.
Heading over to Hawk n Dove (http://t.co/IeR1WlCdeH) to meet @RepKinzinger before #sotu joined by his bro @NathanKinzinger + @CatGatewood
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 20, 2015
.@RepKinzinger + @NathanKinzinger grabbing some food before the #sotu pic.twitter.com/OHbjD9yGhS
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 21, 2015
The #SOTU is, according to @RepKinzinger ...https://t.co/ewbNz1IZeo
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 21, 2015
Most exciting thing about the #sotu according to @RepKinzinger https://t.co/t8iHCgUKz7
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 21, 2015
.@RepKinzinger on so-called #sotu aisle hogs. https://t.co/PgPcSzQgga
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 21, 2015
The question was in reference to members of Congress like Rep. Eliot Engel, D-New York, who stake out seats hours in advance to get a good seat.
.@RepKinzinger headed to the #sotu. Fun/interesting following him around w/ @NathanKinzinger https://t.co/eZVGoPl22A #sotu
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 21, 2015
Folks even shared pictures of the activity after the speech.
The media scrum at #SOTU. Wall to wall spin... pic.twitter.com/eEDB16GcVz
— Rep. Bill Huizenga (@RepHuizenga) January 21, 2015
Can you spot @jonkarl? #sotu pic.twitter.com/BpCEXvKRhU
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 21, 2015
Pretty busy Stat Hall #sotu https://t.co/xkJvGooopB
— Ben Bell (@BenjaminBell) January 21, 2015