Now, I liked Obama's State of the Union Address. It was pretty normal, filled with the usual general sweeping statements about fairness and reform and resolution that almost all Presidents facing reelection use. That being said, I have a qualm. The State of the Union Address is supposed to force the President and Congress to touch base on the current issues and resolutions, etc. The President has to give at least one a year, but most give several. My problem is, because of television, the State of the Union Address has become a campaign platform for any President in office. They can make sweeping promises in front of Congress that may or may not be legal, practical, or even possible. I feel that it is being misused as a campaign platform. What do you think?
I missed part of the speech, but from what I see, there was nothing surprising. That it is used as a way to both do its function AND to hold the members of Congress as a captive audience while the President gives a campaign speech is not surprising to me.
It's pretty worthless now days. You'd have to actively ignore politics to not know what is going on in it. But it's tradition so we might as well keep it.
I wouldn't say it was misused; if you give a politician the opportunity to talk about 'the state of the union' (ie- politics) and he doesn't blow his (or her) own trumpet, he (or she) isn't much of a politician.
We talked about this for my entire "interest groups in politics" class yesterday and one of the Ta's brought up this point. If you look back at SOTU address's in election years they nearly all serve as campaign platforms, or at least the beginnings of the President's campaign for re-election. Obama's theme appears to be blaming Congress, and you have to read / listen to this address within that framework.
Precedent does not necessarily make a practice right. For centuries, the Chinese traditionalist rich did footbinding. But that was proven to be in error, wasn't it? Today it is frowned upon, by Nationalists and Communists alike.
It's clearly not an abuse, and it still performs its original purpose entirely. It informs Congress and lays out the President's agenda. Obviously one of these functions is a bit more campaign-friendly. Also, don't go wildly off topic for no reason.
