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Tigar, Michael E.

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Communication is one of the most important instruments in politics. Frequent and effective communication is a necessary benchmark for a well-functioning government. The State of the Union Address is among the most important dialogues between the executive and legislative branches. It has evolved into an opportunity for a president to tout their accomplishments and set an agenda for the upcoming year. The ability to broadcast the State of the Union Address via television, radio, and other communication forums allows it to function as more than just the president’s address to Congress, giving the president a medium to communicate with the public

Aikey, Kennedy

Clayton, Caleb

Trimpey, Hailey

Ohio Northern University 
DigitalCommons@ONU 
Critical Questions Institute for Civics and Public Policy 
2-6-2023 
The State of the Union Address 
Kennedy Aikey 
Caleb Clayton 
Hailey Trimpey 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/critical_questions 
Critical Question #23 02/6/23
By Kennedy Aikey, Caleb Clayton, Hailey Trimpey
The State of the Union Address
Introduction
Communication is one of the most important instruments in politics. Frequent and effective
communication is a necessary benchmark for a well-functioning government. The State of the
Union Address is among the most important dialogues between the executive and legislative
branches. It has evolved into an opportunity for a president to tout their accomplishments and
set an agenda for the upcoming year. The ability to broadcast the State of the Union Address
via television, radio, and other communication forums allows it to function as more than just the
president’s address to Congress, giving the president a medium to communicate with the public.
Question 1: What has been the purpose of the State of the Union address throughout
American history?
The State of the Union address serves as a means for the president to provide an annual
update to Congress. Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution states, “[The president] shall
from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to
their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” Today, this
update occurs at the beginning of the year, usually late January or early February, and focuses
on the nation’s overall well-being. Addresses tend to highlight critical ongoing issues and offer
insight into policies that will receive priority under the presiding administration.
George Washington delivered the first of "the President's Annual Message to Congress" in
person in 1790. John Adams followed suit, delivering his addresses in person, but the tradition
would change with Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson and all other presidents from 1801-1913
provided their Annual Message as a written letter sent directly to Congress. Woodrow Wilson
would re-establish the in-person address in 1913.
The invention of the radio and later television revolutionized communication and broadened the
scope of what the Annual Message meant to American politics. Since 1947, the President’s
Annual Message to Congress has been referred to as “the State of the Union Address,”
extending the message to the general public. Other innovations of the State of the Union
address have introduced the common practices of an opposition response, establishing a
designated survivor, and housing special guests. The opposition response allows members of
the president’s opposing party to provide a response or critique of matters addressed in the
president’s speech. It also provides an opportunity to showcase an up-and-coming member of
the party. The designated survivor is an individual from the president’s cabinet held in a secure
location to maintain a line of presidential succession in an emergency during the address.
Question 2: What are some of the most memorable State of the Union addresses, and
which presidents delivered them?
While all State of the Union addresses are intended to bring attention to important issues
America faces at a given time, some have stood out throughout history. The first of these was
given in 1862 by Abraham Lincoln. This address was given weeks after Lincoln issued his
Emancipation Proclamation and was met with considerable resistance. He discussed the
Northern war effort and the Emancipation Proclamation in a more moderate light. Due to his
eloquence and impeccable writing, Lincoln’s State of the Union address set the bar for all future
addresses. A memorable part of this address states, “Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history.
We of this Congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No
personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us…We shall nobly save, or
meanly lose, the last best hope of earth.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt is another president who gave a State of the Union address that is still
remembered today. Similar to Lincoln, FDR gave his address during a time of war, in 1941, and
it put the country’s wartime goals into words. He focused his speech around the idea of four
main freedoms. These included the freedom of speech, the freedom of worship, the freedom
from want, and the freedom from fear. FDR hoped to achieve these freedoms not just for
America but for the world. In his address, he exclaims, “We are fighting today for security, for
progress, and for peace, not only for ourselves but for all men, not only for one generation but
for all generations. We are fighting to cleanse the world of ancient evils, ancient ills.”
One final State of the Union address that is notable was given by George W. Bush in 2002. Just
months after the historic attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001, Bush indicated
that the country was at war and in the midst of a recession. He went on to indicate that the
United States would show resolve in fighting what he called “an axis of evil,” composed of North
Korea, Iran, and Iraq. He argued these countries were a threat to world peace, sponsoring
terrorism and showed a willingness to use weapons of mass destruction. The War on Terror
would become a defining feature of the Bush presidency and would go on for two decades.
Question 3: What do we expect from President Biden’s upcoming State of the Union?
On February 7, 2023, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address. Although we
cannot be certain of what he will say, we can expect he will emphasize his accomplishments
and chart out what he seeks to do in the remainder of his term. It is important to acknowledge
that President Biden will be addressing a very different Congress than he did last time now that
midterm elections have changed the political composition of Congress, with Republicans now
controlling the House of Representatives.
It is expected that President Biden will speak on things like inflation, the debt ceiling, gun
violence, the Russian-Ukraine conflict, and infrastructure. President Biden will address the
economy, especially inflation. Inflation is still an issue that is impacting American families.
President Biden will most likely acknowledge high inflation, but will also seek to take credit for its
decrease in the past year. Likewise, he will point to some strong economic indicators as well.
We expect Biden will argue that the debt ceiling must be increased so as to not have the US
default on its loans. This has been a point of contention with congressional Republicans.
In the aftermath of multiple school shootings, many expect that Biden will address the issue of
gun control in America. In the past, President Biden has pushed Congress to pass an assault
weapons ban, so the State of the Union address will be an opportunity for Biden to revisit this
topic. Now that the Russian-Ukraine conflict has been occurring for over a year, it is expected
that President Biden will once again express support for Ukraine. He will want to raise
awareness about the situation and gain bi-partisan support. While speaking on bi-partisan
movements, President Biden is also expected to update the American people on the
infrastructure legislation that was passed in 2021.
It will be curious to see whether President Biden addresses election denialism, which would also
be an attack on former President and potential competitor, Donald Trump. The occasion might
also serve as a moment for Biden to categorically indicate that he will be running for a second
term.
 Conclusion
The State of the Union Address provides a forum for fruitful communication between the
president, Congress, and the American public. Presidents past and present have crafted iconic
phrases and delivered powerful messages from this platform. This address can generate a
continued conversation of essential issues and serve as a beacon for what we value collectively
at a given time.


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