We put them all together into one single State of the Union address by eleven different presidents and spanning 67 years.
Nobody knows every word President Obama will say on Tuesday, when he gives his sixth State of the Union Address, but we’re pretty sure it’ll sound a lot like this:
The Introduction
“Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, members of the Supreme Court and diplomatic corps, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens…” -George W. Bush (January 31, 2006)
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However long the nation’s list of challenges is, State of the Union speeches are peppered with optimism. Presidents highlight America’s strengths, recall past victories and call upon the American spirit in order to rally their audiences.
The Big Finish
“God bless you, and God bless America..” -President Ronald Reagan (February 4, 1986)
One key to a big speech is the big finish. Every president since Reagan has drawn on the closing line he standardized in 1986.
