For some politicians, providing the official State of the Union response has been career gold. For others, not so much.
Democrats this year chose recent Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who lost a remarkably close election in the red state, to address the nation immediately following President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The speech gives Abrams a big platform and a chance to introduce herself to a national audience. But there are tales of caution.
During Barack Obama’s presidency, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and then-Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal were two young up-and-comers in the Republican Party, both seen as potential future presidential candidates. But before they fizzled out in the 2016 GOP primary, each fizzled during their State of the Union responses. Rubio famously grasped for a glass of water mid-speech, a move parodied by Saturday Night Live, his primary opponent Donald Trump and even himself on the campaign trail. Jindal’s speech was criticized as “cheesy” and as talking down to the American public.
But not every awkward response deals a blow to an otherwise upward career trajectory. Bill Clinton’s pre-recorded response to the State of the Union in 1985 featured an odd format. Clinton won the presidential election just seven years later. Future vice presidents Al Gore and Joe Biden both played parts in responses during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, when group rebuttals were common. Still, the response is not always a career launchpad. Most respondents don’t make it to the White House or congressional leadership. Here is where previous State of the Union respondents went after their moment in the national spotlight.
Rings sized by how long politicians worked
in each position after their SOTU response:
2019
Left office
2
4
6
8 years
2018
Mass rep.
2017
Former Ky. governor
S.C. governor
2016
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
2015
Iowa senator
2014
Wash. rep.
2013
Fla. senator
2016 GOP presidential candidate
Ind. governor
2012
2011
Wis. rep.
2012 GOP vice presidential nominee
Speaker of the House
2010
Va. governor
2009
La. governor
2016 GOP
presidential candidate
2008
Kan. governor
Health and Human Services Secretary
2007
Va. Senator
2016 Democratic presidential candidate
2006
Va. governor
Va. senator
2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee
House Democratic leader
Senate Democratic leader
2005
Speaker of the House
2004
House Democratic leader
Speaker of the House
Senate Democratic leader
2003
Wash. governor
Secretary of Commerce
Ambassador to China
2002
House Democratic leader
2004 Democratic presidential candidate
2001
House Democratic leader
Senate Democratic leader
2004 Democratic presidential candidate
2000
Maine senator
Tenn. senator
Senate GOP leader
1999
Wash. rep.
Okla rep.
1998
Senate GOP leader
Miss. senator
1997
Okla. rep.
1996
Senate GOP leader
1996 GOP presidential nominee
1995
N.J. governor
EPA Administrator
1994
Senate GOP leader
1996 GOP presidential nominee
1993
House GOP leader
1992
Speaker of the House
Ambassador to Japan
1991
Senate Democratic leader
1990
Speaker of the House
Ambassador to Japan
1989
Texas senator
Speaker
of the
House
Secretary of the Treasury
1988
Senate Democratic leader
Speaker
of the
House
W.Va. senator
1987
Senate Democratic leader
Speaker
of the
House
W.Va. senator
1986
Pa. rep.
S.D. rep.
S.D. senator
Senate Democratic
leader
Va. governor
Va. senator
Mo. lieutenant
governor
Maine senator
Senate Democratic leader
1985
Ark. governor
President from 1993 to 2001
Fla. governor
Fla. senator
2004 Democratic presidential candidate
Speaker
of the
House
Senate Democratic leader
W.Va. senator
1988 and 2008 Democratic
presidential candidate
1984
Vice president
from 2009 to 2017
Ky. senator
Del. senator
Mont. senator
Ambassador
to China
Okla. senator
Speaker of
the House
W.Va. senator
Senate
Democratic
leader
Mich. senator
Pa. Rep.
Fla. rep.
Calif. rep.
Calif.senator
1984 Democratic presidential nominee
Ambassador
to Japan
R.I. senator
Iowa rep.
1992 Democratic presidential candidate
Iowa senator
1983
Speaker of
the House
Vice
President
from 2009
to 2017
Mass. senator
1992 Democratic presidential candidate
Del. senator
1988 and 2008
Democratic presidential candidate
2000 Democratic presidential candidate
N.J. senator
Colo. rep.
Colo. senator
Senate Democratic
leader
S.D. rep.
S.D. senate
W.Va.
senator
Senate
Democratic
leader
Calif. rep.
Ore. rep.
N.C. rep.
Ill. rep.
1988 Democratic presidential candidate
Ill. senator
Conn. rep.
1982
Tenn. rep.
Senate Democratic
leader
Tenn. senator
Vice president
from 1993 to 2001
W.Va. senator
2000 Democratic
presidential
nominee
Colo. senator
1984 and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate
Mich. senator
Speaker of
the House
Mass. senator
Calif. senator
1984 Democratic presidential candidate
Md. senator
La. senator
Tenn. senator
Ambassador to
China
Calif. governor
1992 Democratic
presidential
candidate
Calif. governor
Rings sized by how long politicians worked
in each position after their SOTU response:
Left office
6
2
4
8 years
2019
2018
Mass rep.
2017
Former Ky. governor
2016
S.C. governor
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
2015
Iowa senator
2014
Wash. rep.
2013
Fla. senator
2016 GOP presidential candidate
2012
Ind. governor
2011
Wis. rep.
2012 GOP vice presidential nominee
Speaker of the House
2010
Va. governor
2009
La. governor
2016 GOP
presidential candidate
2008
Kan. governor
Health and Human Services Secretary
2007
Va. Senator
2016 Democratic presidential candidate
2006
Va. governor
Va. senator
2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee
Senate Democratic leader
2005
House
Democratic leader
Speaker of
the House
2004
House
Democratic leader
Speaker of
the House
Senate Democratic leader
2003
Wash. governor
Secretary of Commerce
Ambassador to China
2002
House Democratic leader
2004 Democratic presidential candidate
2001
Senate Democratic leader
House Democratic leader
2004 Democratic presidential candidate
2000
Maine
senator
Tenn. senator
Senate GOP
leader
1999
Wash. rep.
Okla rep.
1998
Senate GOP leader
Miss. senator
1997
Okla. rep.
1996
Senate GOP leader
1996 GOP presidential nominee
1995
N.J. governor
EPA Administrator
1994
Senate GOP leader
1996 GOP presidential nominee
1993
House GOP leader
1992
Speaker of the House
Ambassador to Japan
1991
Senate Democratic leader
1990
Speaker of the House
Ambassador to Japan
1989
Texas senator
Speaker
of the
House
Secretary of the Treasury
1988
Speaker
of the
House
Senate
Democratic leader
W.Va. senator
1987
Speaker
of the
House
Senate
Democratic leader
W.Va. senator
1986
Pa. rep.
S.D. rep.
S.D.
senator
Senate Democratic
leader
Va.
gov.
Va.
senator
Mo. lieutenant
governor
Maine senator
Senate Democratic leader
1985
2004
Democratic presidential candidate
Ark. gov.
President
from 1993
to 2001
Fla.
gov.
Fla.
senator
Senate Democratic leader
W.Va. senator
Speaker
of the
House
1988 and 2008
Democratic presidential candidate
Pa. Rep.
1984
Vice
president
from 2009
to 2017
Del. senator
Okla. senator
Speaker
of the
House
Ky. senator
Senate
Dem.
leader
W.Va.
senator
Mich.
senator
Fla. rep.
Calif. rep.
Calif. senator
Mont. senator
Ambassador
to China
R.I. senator
1984 Democratic presidential nominee
Ambassador
to Japan
Iowa rep.
Iowa senator
1992 Democratic presidential candidate
1983
Del. senator
1988 and 2008
Democratic presidential candidate
Ore. rep.
Vice
President
from 2009
to 2017
2000 Dem.
presidential candidate
Ill. rep.
N.J.
senator
1988 Dem.
presidential candidate
Ill. senator
N.C. rep.
Calif. rep.
Speaker of
the House
Senate Democratic
leader
W.Va. senator
Colo. senator
Colo. rep.
Mass. senator
1992 Dem. presidential candidate
S.D. rep.
S.D. senate
Senate Dem.
leader
Conn. rep.
1982
Tenn. rep.
Colo. senator
Tenn. senator
1984 and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate
Vice president
from 1993
to 2001
2000 Democratic
presidential
nominee
Mich. senator
Senate Democratic
leader
W.Va.
senator
Calif. senator
Mass. senator
1984 Dem.
presidential candidate
La. senator
Md. senator
Speaker of
the House
Tenn. senator
Ambassador to China
Calif. governor
1992 Democratic
presidential
candidate
Calif. governor
Rings sized by how long politicians worked in each position after their SOTU response:
Left office
6
2
4
8 years
2019
2018
Mass rep.
2017
Former Ky. governor
2016
S.C. governor
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
2015
Iowa senator
2014
Wash. rep.
2013
Fla. senator
2016 GOP
presidential candidate
2012
Ind. governor
2011
Wis. rep.
2012 GOP vice presidential nominee
Speaker of the House
2010
Va. governor
2009
La. governor
2016 GOP
presidential candidate
2008
Kan. governor
Health and Human Services Secretary
2007
Va. Senator
2016 Democratic presidential candidate
2006
Va. governor
Va. senator
2016 Dem.vice presidential nominee
House Dem.leader
Speaker of the House
Senate Dem.leader
2005
House Dem.leader
Speaker of the House
2004
Senate Dem.leader
2003
Wash. governor
Secretary of Commerce
Ambassador to China
2002
House Dem. leader
2004 Dem. presidential candidate
House Dem. leader
2001
2004 Dem.presidential candidate
Senate Dem. leader
Maine senator
2000
Tenn. senator
Senate GOP
leader
1999
Wash. rep.
Okla rep.
1998
Senate GOP leader
Miss. senator
1997
Okla. rep.
1996
Senate GOP leader
1996 GOP presidential nominee
1995
N.J. governor
EPA Administrator
1994
Senate GOP leader
1996 GOP presidential nominee
1993
House GOP leader
1992
Speaker of the House
Ambassador to Japan
1991
Senate Dem.leader
1990
Speaker of the House
Ambassador to Japan
Texas senator
1989
Secretary of the Treasury
Speaker
of the
House
1988
Senate Dem. leader
W.Va. senator
Speaker
of the
House
1987
Speaker
of the
House
Senate Dem. leader
W.Va. senator
1986
Mo. lieutenant
governor
S.D. rep.
S.D. senator
Pa. rep.
Senate Dem.
leader
Va. governor
Va. senator
Maine senator
Senate Dem.leader
Ark. governor
Fla. governor
1985
President from 1993 to 2001
Fla. senator
2004 Democratic presidential candidate
Speaker
of the
House
Senate Dem.leader
W.Va. senator
1988 and 2008 Dem. presidential candidate
Vice
president
from 2009
to 2017
Del.
senator
1984
Mont. senator
Ambassador
to China
Fla. rep.
Senate Dem.leader
W.Va. senator
Speaker
of the
House
Ky. senator
Iowa rep.
Iowa senator
1992 Dem. presidential candidate
1984 Dem. presidential nominee
R.I. senator
Ambassador to Japan
Calif. rep.
Calif. senator
Pa. Rep.
Mich. senator
Okla. senator
1983
Vice
president
from 2009
to 2017
Del. senator
1988 and 2008
Dem.presidential candidate
Speaker of
the House
S.D. rep.
S.D. senate
Senate Dem.
leader
Colo. rep.
Colo. senator
N.C. rep.
Mass. senator
1992 Dem. presidential candidate
Calif. rep.
Ore. rep.
Senate Democratic
leader
W.Va. senator
Ill. rep.
1988 Dem. presidential candidate
Conn. rep.
Ill. senator
2000 Dem. presidential candidate
N.J. senator
1982
Senate Dem.
leader
W.Va. senator
Tenn. rep.
Tenn. senator
Vice president
from 1993
to 2001
Colo. senator
1984 and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate
2000 Dem.
presidential
nominee
Mass. senator
Calif. senator
1984 Dem. presidential candidate
Md. senator
Tenn. senator
Ambassador to China
Speaker of
the House
Mich. senator
La. senator
Calif. governor
1992 Dem.
presidential
candidate
Calif. governor
Rings sized by how
long politicians
worked in each
position after
their SOTU
response
Left office
2
4
6 years
2019
2018
Mass rep.
2017
Former Ky. governor
2016
S.C. governor
U.S.
Ambassador to the United Nations
2015
Iowa senator
2014
Wash. rep.
2013
Fla. senator
2016 GOP
pres. candidate
2012
Ind. governor
2011
Wis. rep.
2012 GOP vice pres. nominee
Speaker of the House
2010
Va.
governor
2009
La.
governor
2016 GOP
pres. candidate
2008
Kan. governor
Health and Human Services Secretary
2007
Va. senator
2016 Dem.
pres.
candidate
2006
Va.
governor
Va.
senator
2016 Dem.
vice pres. nominee
House Dem.leader
2005
Speaker of the House
Senate Dem.leader
2004
Senate Dem.leader
House Dem.leader
Speaker of the House
Wash. governor
Secretary of Commerce
2003
Ambassador to China
House Dem.leader
2002
2004 Dem.
presidential candidate
House Dem.leader
2001
2004 Dem.
presidential candidate
Senate Dem.leader
2000
Tenn. senator
Senate GOP
leader
Maine senator
1999
Okla rep.
Wash. rep.
1998
Senate GOP leader
Miss.
senator
1997
Okla. rep.
1996
Senate GOP leader
1996 GOP pres.
nominee
1995
EPA
administrator
N.J. governor
1994
Senate GOP leader
1996 GOP pres.
nominee
1993
House GOP leader
1992
Speaker of the House
Ambassador to Japan
1991
Senate Dem.leader
Speaker of the House
1990
Ambassador to Japan
1989
Speaker
of the
House
Texas senator
Secretary of the Treasury
1988
Speaker
of the
House
Senate Dem.leader
W.Va. senator
1987
Speaker
of the
House
Senate Dem.
leader
W.Va. senator
Mo. lieutenant
governor
1986
S.D. rep.
S.D. senator
Senate Dem.
leader
Pa. rep.
Maine senator
Senate Dem.leader
Va. governor
Va. senator
Ark. governor
1985
President from 1993 to 2001
Fla. governor
Fla. senator
2004 Democratic presidential candidate
Speaker
of the
House
Senate Dem.leader
W.Va. senator
1988 and 2008
Dem.pres. candidate
Vice
president
from 2009
to 2017
1984
Del.
senator
Mont. senator
Ambassador
to China
Fla. rep.
Senate Dem.leader
W.Va. senator
Speaker
of the
House
Ky. senator
Iowa rep.
Iowa senator
1992 Dem.pres. candidate
R.I. senator
1984 Dem.
presidential nominee
Ambassador
to Japan
Calif. rep.
Calif. senator
Pa. Rep.
Mich. senator
Okla. senator
1983
Speaker of
the House
Del. senator
1988 and 2008
Dem.pres. candidate
Vice
President
from 2009
to 2017
S.D. rep.
S.D. senate
Colo. rep.
Colo. senator
Senate Dem.
leader
Calif. rep.
Ore. rep.
Mass. senator
1992 Dem.
pres.
candidate
Senate Democratic
leader
W.Va. senator
Conn. rep.
1988 Dem. presidential candidate
Ill. senator
Ill. rep.
N.C. rep.
2000 Dem. pres.
candidate
N.J. senator
Senate Dem.
leader
1982
W.Va. senator
Tenn. senator
Vice president
from 1993
to 2001
Colo.
senator
2000 Dem.
pres.
nominee
1984 and
1988
Democratic pres.
candidate
Tenn. rep.
Calif. senator
1984
Democratic
pres.
candidate
Mass. senator
Md. senator
Speaker of
the House
Tenn. senator
Ambassador to China
La. senator
Mich. senator
Calif. governor
1992 Dem.
pres.
candidate
Calif. governor