President Barack Obama delivered his seventh State of the Union address to the American people Tuesday. He called for better support for America’s middle class, advocated for more paid time off for parents and vowed to continue pursuing the closure of Guantanamo Bay. He also spent a significant portion of his time listening to people clap for him.
The rounds of applause at the State of the Union have become increasingly ceremonial, leading to calls to end the excessive “clap count.” Still, members of Congress just couldn’t help themselves Tuesday, and it looked like the commander-in-chief really loves the sweet sound of success conveyed by clapping hands.