[leadhead]

For security reasons, the VP,House Majority Leader and Four Justices were not there

[Phantom Lord]

It is the same at all SOTU speechs too. There are always a few people missing. This is in case something happens and most of the government is wiped out all at once. That way someone in the chain of succession is still alive to assume the Presidency.

[Eva]

Oh, thanks for the explanation about the justices and VP.

[jackbill]

For security reasons, the VP,House Majority Leader and Four Justices were not there

I'll bet at least three of the four Justices volunteered to stay away - Ginsberg, Souter and Stevens.