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If Washington DC really is, as Paul Begala said, “Hollywood for ugly people,” then the State of the Union address is its Nerd Prom. So why do so many DC nerds want to kill it?
We’d be better off without it, but no President is going to turn down the opportunity for a free, hour long campaign speech given to the whole world.
It’s my understanding that Constitutionally, the State of the Union does not have to be an oral presentation made before Congress. If I were President, I’d scrap it altogether and submit a written version. There’s no point giving dirtbags like Joe Kennedy et al. air time for a rebuttal, or for either party to use the SOTU address as a protest platform.
Does anyone pay attention to State of the Union speeches? I can’t recall the last one I heard.
The Constitution only requires that the President “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union.” So it doesn’t have to be annual, nor does it have to be a speech. In modern times, I would think that requirement would be quite well fulfilled by the ordinary course of business; it’s not like Congress and the White House aren’t already in constant communication.
I’d love to see this tweet:
I haven’t watched one since 1996 or so. Bill Clinton’s unending monologues turned me off for good, even if the ridiculous jumping up and down for applause didn’t do it before that. Then, when Obama used the Supreme Court as a whipping boy, I knew I’d never watch another one.
Let’s see if our President can keep from slurring his words and picking up his water glass with two hands. I don’t trust the media taking snippets and carrying on for hours. That’s the giant waste of time. I’ll judge for myself.
Seriously, in the case of Trump with all the propaganda, Americans need to see and hear him talk. I predict lots of people will encounter cognitive dissonance.
I don’t think I’ve missed one. Which is noteworthy as I’ve never had a TV. Looking forward to tonight’s SOTO; just trying to decide on the cocktails and the takeout (takeout on debates and SOTO is a tradition)
State Of The Onion? That might actually be worth tuning in for.
Awesome. And I’d tune into that, too!
It reeks of monarchy, and should be a written report.
I blame Congress. They have to invite the president. Just ask for a submitted report and it would do a lot to restore “republican” government.
So true.
Fifth Avenue?
Edit: OK., got it.
Well, if it’s part of your job, the answer is obviously “for money”. At least you’re getting paid for the “privilege “. Think of the millions of people across the country who will be subjecting themselves to this for free?
<sarcasm off>
<cynicism always on>
I don’t watch them. I don’t have a problem with presidents giving speeches, but the spectacle of the executive branch lecturing the legislative branch inside its own house has always rankled me.