The White House indicated beforehand that President Bush's speech would mention the following policies:[1] In keeping with tradition of Democrats from red states giving the response, Governor of Kansas Kathleen Sebelius delivered the Democratic response from the Governor's Mansion in Topeka.

[2] It has been noted that she focused not on the usual Democratic rebuttal, but more so on the need to get past partisan politics to get the important legislation passed in a timely manner.

She was picked by Democratic congressional leaders to make the response because of her ability to reach across partisan lines.

[3] Texas state Senator Leticia Van de Putte gave the Democratic response in Spanish.

[5] Steve Kubby, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's 2008 presidential nomination, delivered his own "State of the Union address" via Internet video on January 25, 2008, three days before President Bush's speech.