Mixed expectations for State of the Union

Cal Haupt, 47

His story: Haupt is president and CEO of Southeast Mortgage, a direct mortgage lender with 14 offices in metro Atlanta. The Duluth man is married and has no political affiliation, he said.

His take on last year’s speech: Haupt liked President Obama’s talk about rebuilding the economy, especially the stimulus efforts. He believes the president "definitely prevented a financial calamity."

What he wants to hear tonight: The president must talk about stabilizing health care costs for businesses to spur hiring and job creation, said Haupt, noting that his company has seen health care costs rise about 25 percent annually for four or five years. "I would encourage the President to view bankers as a partner in creating the solution,"he said.

Sarah Vabulas, 27

Her story: Vabulas, of Dunwoody, is active in the Georgia Republican Party and works for a social media technology company.

Her take on last year’s speech: "I don't believe the President delivered on any of his promises to grow the economy: small business growth, clean energy jobs and increased exports of American goods," she said. "[And] the healthcare bill was a disaster."

What she wants to hear tonight: "I think we'll hear a lot of the same things as last year since the President really didn't accomplish much of what he discussed," she said.

Shaun King, 31

His story: King, of Atlanta, is pastor at Courageous Church in midtown Atlanta. He is married with six children and identifies himself as a moderate Democrat. His brother, Russ King, is in his second deployment as an Army sergeant in Afghanistan.

His take on last year’s speech: He believes that President Obama has taken action on many of his promises. But he was disappointed the president spoke little about the war in Afghanistan. “The war is very messy, and few people are excited about us being there … but there are so many soldiers there and it is a huge part of the budget,” he said.

What he wants to hear tonight: King hopes to hear a time line for pulling troops out of Afghanistan. He also hopes the president talks about creating more jobs, and building some trust with conservatives and moderates. “I know he has to go that route if he’s going to get things done,” he said.

Jere Brower, 35

His story: Brower is an unemployed veteran in Chamblee, who specializes in public affairs work. He is married with one child and most often votes Republican.

His take on last year's speech: "He hasn't fulfilled anything," Brower said. The stimulus efforts have been a failure. "Look at Georgia's rising unemployment," he said. The health care overhaul, Brower believes, will be "a big drain on the country."

What he wants to hear tonight: "I hope he announces his resignation," Brower said. He would like the president to talk about securing America's borders. He would also like a plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and Iraq without endangering the people of those countries.

Jackie Howard, 66

Her story: For the past 37 years, Howard has owned and operated Paces Papers, a high-end stationery boutique in Buckhead. Howard is a Democrat, but did not vote for Obama, she said.

Her take on last year’s speech: Howard noted that Obama addressed the need to bolster job and economic growth, but the primary change she’s seen stems from the payroll tax reductions, which will put more money in her five employees’ pockets. “It doesn’t help me, but it helps my staff,” she said.

What she wants to hear tonight: Because Howard’s business offers luxury goods, her success depends on the financial well-being of her clients, she said. Therefore, she hopes the president will again address his plan to bolster the economy. She also hopes he’ll continue to speak about bringing Democrats and Republicans together. “I’m really encouraged by what I’ve been reading about how he believes it’s time to come together,” she said.

Matt Hoots, 34

His story: Hoots, president and CEO of SawHorse, Inc., a home remodeling and renovation company, specializes in green design and energy efficiency. The married father of two lives in Smyrna and identifies as an independent.

His take on last year’s speech: Hoots paid close attention to Obama’s talk about energy efficiency tax credits and said he is pleased that Obama has expanded tax credits for energy efficient home improvements. But he is concerned that the incentives are only useful for people who have the money to undertake the renovations in the first place. "Unfortunately, only certain segments of the population are benefiting from them,” he said.

What he wants to hear tonight: Like many, Hoots wants to hear the president's plan for continued economic development. “I haven’t seen much in his policy that has helped small business," he said. "Most of the growth I’ve seen in U.S. economy is in large corporations and not based on things happening in the U.S.”

Emely Rosario, 47

Her story: Rosario, a Democrat who lives in Grayson, immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 10 from the Dominican Republic. She owns a hair salon in Lithonia with her husband. Rosario, who has Type 2 diabetes, said she has been unable to afford individual health insurance because of her "pre-existing condition."

Her take on last year’s speech: Rosario was looking forward to some relief on the more than $700 she pays for medication each month, but she is disappointed in what has come of health care legislation, she said. “There’s no way that everyone can afford medicine,” she said. “Why, if we live in the richest country in the world, can’t we invest in the people, rather than investing in things that don’t concern the country, like wars?”

What she wants to hear tonight: In addition to seeing tangible progress on helping people like her struggling with medical costs, she wants to see more efforts to create a pathway to citizenship for immigrants. “They would contribute to our economy and to taxes here, because they would be building their future here.”