[Steve_Seattle]

"I've never met anyone, ever, who enthused about a response to a SOTU."

I've been drinking, so someone please refresh my memory: Did Bush give a SOTU address shortly before Obama's inauguration? Was this a real SOTU, or was it just that Obama couldn't wait until next year? I guess my question is: does the outgoing president give a SOTU just before he leaves office?

[Darkwolf377]

I guess my question is: does the outgoing president give a SOTU just before he leaves office?

No, they do a goodbye chat from the Oval Office, in some cases. Bush 41 didn't give one if I recall, but Reagan did.

It's not a SOTU and isn't required, but some presidents do it as a so-long gesture.