The State Of The Union Is?

Undoubtedly, it depends on whom you ask. Perhaps more important, it should be noted that the address is a message from the President to Congress. Frequently it outlines the Commander-in-Chief’s legislative agenda, and makes no pretense of actually depicting, describing, or otherwise characterizing the State of the Union.

Two Hundred Eighteen years, and approximately three weeks ago, January 8, 1790, the original George W. delivered the first State of the Union address. Two days ago, present-day George W. delivered his 8th and final State of the Union address.

Though codified, and Ritualistic, the practice has evolved over time, but not in a straight-line trajectory. For quite some time, the address was called the President’s Annual Message to Congress. While a report such as this is required by the United States Constitution, there is no requirement that the speech take place annually, though it typically does.

According to the Constitution, “He 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, Section 3). No comment on the pronoun!

There are many key points highlighting the history of the State of the Union address. A dozen are included below:

· 1790 – George Washington delivered the first State of the Union address January 8, 1790 in New York City, provisional United States Capital
· 1801 – Thomas Jefferson discontinued the personal delivery of the State of the Union address. (He thought it was to monarchical, similar to the Speech from the Throne)
· 1913 – Woodrow Wilson re-established the personal delivery of the State of the Union address
· 1923 – Calvin Coolidge delivered the first radio broadcast of the State of the Union address
· 1935 – Franklin D. Roosevelt coined the phrase State of the Union address
· 1947 – Harry S. Truman delivered the first televised State of the Union address
· 1965 – Lyndon Johnson delivered the first evening State of the Union address
· 1966 – The provision to present the televised broadcast of the response by the Party opposing the President was initiated
· 1981 – Jimmy Carter was the last President to send the State of the Union address to Congress in writing. (Given the daunting nature of media pressure, and the corollary preponderance of media savvy politicians, that will likely never occur again)
· 1986 – Ronald Reagan became the first President to postpone the delivery of a State of the Union address. After being made aware of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, President Ronald Reagan delayed his message for one week.
· 1997 – Bill Clinton became the first President to deliver a State of the Union address made available on the World Wide Web
· 1999 – Bill Clinton delivered the State of the Union address during the middle of his impeachment trial

In an earlier passage, I noted the address is codified and Ritualistic. An example of the ceremonial nature of the State of the Union address, and the pomp and circumstance that surround it, is the rousing standing ovation that greets the President. The cheering is ceremonial, and is for the Office of the Presidency, not the individual. The ovation is patriotic applause, and is given regardless of political party.

All things considered, it would appear the State of the Union is good! Do not get me wrong; it could always be better. But let’s be real. As Americans, we reside in a bubble that would make Michael Jackson proud.

Despite living in a world where millions are ravaged by disease, hunger, political and economic strife, where ecological and environmental concerns abound, where nuclear threats, and rumors of nuclear threats are daily news-fare, we are at leisure to casually observe (or not…that’s freedom) as our highest elected leaders serially genuflect to whomever happens to be “the Man Behind the Curtain,” our very own Wizard of Oz. My apologies to Victor Fleming, and L. Frank Baum.

That’s enough, I am done; holla back!

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_the_Union_Address

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_State_of_the_Union_Address

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080128-13.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/bush_sotu_2008.html

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/ref/blfirstsou.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/28/AR2008012801279.html?wpisrc=newsletter

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/29/politics/uwire/main3767800.shtml

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2008/2008-01-28-01.asp

http://www.c-span.org/executive/stateoftheunion.asp

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/29/opinion/main3764776.shtml