State of the Union

“The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” – Article II, Sec. 3

While Washington delivered the first Annual Message orally, Thomas Jefferson thought doing so was too “kingly” and opted to write his Annual Messages. This precedent was followed for 112 years until Woodrow Wilson revived the spoken form in 1913. The State of the Union has evolved into being more than a mere recommendation to Congress, it has become an address to the entire world. Coolidge’s 1923 speech was the first broadcast on radio; Truman’s 1947 speech was the first to be broadcast on television.

“If the President has personal force and cares to exercise it, there is a tremendous difference between his [sic] message and the views of any other citizen either outside Congress or in it; that the whole country reads them and feels the writer speaks with an authority and a responsibility which the people themselves have given him.”

– Woodrow Wilson

Campbell & JamiesonThe State of the Union message is characterized by 3 processes: Public Meditation on Values

Assessment of Information and Issues Policy Recommendations

Campbell & JamiesonThe State of the Union message is characterized by 3 processes:

Each State of the Union message incorporates, to varying degrees, specific characteristics related to each of these processes.

“Public meditations exemplify the symbolic processes by which a collectivity of individuals comes to see itself as an entity—a group, a community, a nation– with an identity that unifies its members and distinguishes them as a group.”

The State of the Union traditionally reaffirms Americans that, just as in the past, problems will be solved. The address exceeds the individual president and is a reflection upon the institution of the presidency.

Historically, each State of the Union examines to some degree contingent national issues, foreign affairs, commerce, civil rights, and immigration.

This enables them to assess present issues in relation to the past and future, keeping in mind the idea of an ongoing institution despite the individuals temporary occupation.

This aspect of the speech provides an opportunity for Presidents to adjust members of Congress and the public to new circumstances.

A good State of the Union will follow recommendations with arguments founded upon either facts or fundamental premises.

FDR’s Four Freedoms

- January 6, 1941 (State of the Union)