People across the state came together last evening for AFP's State of the Union (SOTU) watch parties in Hot Springs, Fort Smith, and Rogers, and we are proud that Hot Springs served as the anchor event for the national pre-SOTU webcast which had over 10,000 computers streaming the event.

President Obama came into the speech with what sounded like many of the ideas that we have been espousing over the last year. But at the end of the day, when we dig into the rhetoric, Americans realize that it is just more of the same liberty annihilating, "tax and spend" policies that have defined the first year of this administration.

"Our conservative, pro-freedom, low tax, less government principles are winning," said AFP President Tim Phillips. "That's why the president was compelled to voice so many of our principles in his speech. He and his advisors know the American people are with us."

Arkansas AFP Director Teresa Oelke followed up President Phillips' comments by stating that "many of the people that gathered in Hot Springs and around Arkansas would probably agree with the President’s talking points. However, if there is anything we learned during the health care debate it is that the details matter. For example, ending earmarks and pork projects in Congress is a laudable goal. Yet, candidate Obama made the same promise to end earmarks and it was the first promise he broke to the American people. We agree with transparency in the legislative process. Yet, a mere month ago, President Obama was cutting back room deals with union bosses at the White House. Details matter!”

Many promises have been made and broken in the past year, and many of the promises were re-stated last evening. Arkansans will continue to stand strong in holding the President and this administration accountable. We the people will not be ignored.