State of the Union Address 2007

[Cynette]

Originally Posted by Wetzel

Anyone know who the designated survivor was this year?

Oh, the things you can learn on Chief Delphi! I had no idea what you were talking about, so I Googled it!
Good old wikipedia...

A designated survivor is a member of the United States Cabinet who stays at a physically distant, secure, undisclosed location when the country's top leaders, including the President are gathered at a single location such as during State of the Union Addresses and presidential inaugurations, in order to maintain continuity of government with regard to presidential succession in the remote possibility of a catastrophic event which could wipe out large portions of the United States' federal government. The practice originated in the darkest days of the Cold War amid fears of a nuclear attack.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, one Representative and one Senator of each political party have also served as designated survivors concurrently with the Cabinet member, so they can ascend to the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives or President Pro Tempore of the Senate (the offices which are first and second in the line of succession to the Presidency, respectively, after the Vice President).

Now I'll be waiting to hear who they were!