When does Obama give his first State of the Union address?

[uberllama42]

I can't wait to hear it.

I hope he takes the opportunity to announce the appointment of a special prosecutor to go over everything the Bush admin has done with a fine-toothed comb.

What do you guys hope he says?

[babylonsister]

1. Doesn't he need time to figure out the state of the union under

his watch? Does he give one this year?

[hlthe2b]

2. It will have to be strong on "hope" since the state of our Nation...

right now, is totally 'fucked'.... If he gives one in coming weeks, I hope he rides on a carpet of patience...

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. Here you go...........

He'll say something interesting, that's for sure.

I found this:

According to one political blog:

...the expectation is that, yes, there will be an early 2009 State of the Union address. But given that President-elect Obama's inauguration takes place a week or so before the SOTU is traditionally given, the plan, as of right now, is to push the formal State of the Union into early February. Note: the speech might not be labeled as a "State of the Union" -- it might be labeled an "economic address."

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/11/will_there_be_a_state_of_the_u.php

[Zomby Woof]

4. January 2010

However, considering the pressing agenda, I would not be surprised if he addresses a joint session of Congress in the next few months. It would not be an official SOTU, but it would have the same impact - setting an agenda, and being frank about the condition of our country.

[Swede Atlanta]

5. I thought this was one of the first public appearances of the new President

I thought this was the first opportunity for the new President to address the American people as such. For some reason I thought the newly-inaugurated dude gave a SOTU speech within a week or so of becoming the POTUS.

[jmowreader]

7. He gives a speech, but it's not a full-blown SOTU address

It's more of an introduction to Congress.

What I'd like to hear him say: the country's totally fucked thanks to eight years of "fiscal conservatism," here's what we're going to do to fix it, and oh yeah we declared Shrub a flight risk and threw him in the brig at the Washington Navy Yard while awaiting trial.

[KoKo]

6. Oh Dear God.... what a post....

:eyes: Somebody posting here who doesn't understand when Obama gives his Inaugural Address? Funning Around? Well...that's being kind...

[uberllama42]

8. I think you're confused

You don't seem to understand the difference between an inaugural address and a State of the Union address. A president gives an inaugural address on the day of his/her inauguration (as you imply, that fact is obvious). This is a speech loaded with pomp and circumstance which talks about principles and talks about why America is great.

The State of the Union address is the traditional form taken by the president's report to Congress on his/her legislative priorities, as mandated by Article II of the Constitution. The SotU is policy-heavy and is traditionally delivered once a year in January or February. As I've learned since I first posted this, a new president's introductory address to Congress shortly after inauguration supersedes the SotU, so the poster who answered 2010 is correct.

I don't know why you decided to be snarky with me. Either you misunderstood my question, or you just feel the need to shit on somebody. Either way, you seem to be the one who doesn't know what they're talking about. Good luck with that.

[truebrit71]

9. It is still considered the SOTU speech though...

..

[greyl]

11. Where'd you hear that? nt

[AZBlue]

10. Not for a year.

[onenote]

12. technically, not until next year. but in all likelihood, he'll address a joint session in February

In the past, outgoing presidents continued to give state of the union addresses in the week before their successor was inaugurated. However, Reagan elected not to do so, and Bush I gave an address to a joint session not long after his inauguration. Although it was not officially described as a state of the union address, it was referred to as such by the media. Clinton continued the same practice as did chimpy -- they gave addresses to joint sessions just a few weeks after giving their inaugural addresses.

Since chimpy did not elect to appear before a joint session (choosing to deliver a televised farewell message from the WH), it is likely that Obama will follow recent practice and address a joint session in the next month.

[RamboLiberal]

13. According to Wikipedia and from The Atlantic

The State of the Union is an annual message which the President of the United States gives to Congress, usually an address to a joint session of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate). It has occurred in January (except for six occasions in February) since 1934. Sometimes, especially in recent years, newly-inaugurated Presidents have delivered speeches to joint sessions of Congress only weeks into their respective terms, but these are not officially considered State of the Union addresses. The address is also most frequently used to outline the President's legislative proposals for the upcoming year. For these reasons, a State of the Union address is generally not given in years in which a new president is inaugurated.

Modeled after the monarch's Speech from the Throne during the State Opening of Parliament in the United Kingdom, such a report is required by the United States Constitution. Note that there is no requirement that the speech must take place annually, although it typically does:

“ 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)

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

Will There Be A State Of The Union Speech In 2009?
17 Nov 2008 02:03 pm

Constitutionally, he's required to give from "from time to time," not every year, but the expectation is that, yes, there will be an early 2009 State of the Union address.

But given that President-elect Obama's inauguration takes place a week or so before the SOTU is traditionally given, the plan, as of right now, is to push the formal State of the Union into early February. Note: the speech might not be labeled as a "State of the Union" -- it might be labeled an "economic address."

And note well that Obama's first budget is due in the middle of February....

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/11/will_there_be_a_state_of_the_u.php

I heard mention that Obama will address a joint session of congress in February.

[Skittles]

14. it will be the first one I'll watch since Clinton

I never could bring myself to watch that bastard bush

[Aristus]

15. If he sends an e-mail to Congress saying: "This country is fucked.

Let's get with the program, you bastards" he will have fulfilled his Constitutional duty.