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The State Of The Union Versus The State Opening Of Parliament

The State Of The Union Versus The State Opening Of Parliament
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Front Page Editor, US

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Barack Obama addressing Congress (left) and the Queen addressing Parliament (right)
AP/PA

The State of the Union and the State Opening of Parliament – two often-tedious ceremonies watched through a haze of boredom made bearable only by the hope that a Tea Partier will start shouting about Kenya, or that Prince Phillip will fall off his chair.

There are plenty of similarities between the two occasions – both set out the political agenda for the coming year – but also many stark differences. Barack Obama will not, for example, be delivering his address from a gold throne. Likewise, Her Majesty will not be previewing her next speech on Instagram.

On Tuesday evening, President Obama will talk to a divided congress about the state of the American union, with the Queen scheduled to open Parliament sometime in May. Here’s how the two events stack up... and why the Opening of Parliament is just that little bit better.

History:

Colonial rabble-rouser George Washington (1789-1797) delivered the first regular annual message before a joint session of Congress in January 1790 in New York City.

The tradition of the opening of Parliament dates back to the 14th century, with a 16th century picture showing Henry VIII (1509-1547) addressing peers in state robes, no doubt informing them of his intention to unsettle Europe's delicate balance over a fling.

Winner: Parliament

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A very lithe Henry VIII in state robes

The Speech:

Delivering a speech to Congress dropped out of favour under the presidency of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) who preferred to send a letter. The tradition was resurrected by Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) and carried on by Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945). Obama continues in this custom, but there is nothing in the constitution that says he couldn’t just send an email.

Monarchs used to give an introduction - essentially deliver a warm-up act - for the Lord Chancellor who pulled out the big lines for the main political address. However, this changed after 1679 when Charles II (1660-1685) decided to keep the spotlight for himself, a tradition that has carried on for 334 years.

Winner: Parliament

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Jefferson didn't like addressing Congress as it was too similar to the Monarch's speech

Media:

FDR’s speech in 1944 was the first to be broadcast live on the radio, with the first televised State of the Union taking place in 1947 under Harry Truman (1945-1953). Now, the event is live tweeted by everyone with a TV and a mobile phone.

Due to British establishment’s reluctance to embrace any form of modernity, neither radio microphones nor TV cameras were allowed into the Lords for the ceremony until 1958. Now the address draws in huge numbers from the twin demographics of political journalists and the unemployed.

Winner: Congress

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Truman was the first President to have the TV cameras capture his speech

Paranoia:

Both ceremonies require the taking of a hostage. In the US, the 'designated survivor' is chosen to watch the event from an undisclosed location just in case some Fawkes-like terrorist carries out a strike. The survivor is then left to take up the reins of government.

Before the monarch departs to the Lords, a member of the House of Commons is delivered up to Buckingham Palace to guarantee a safe return, just in case the Liberal Democrats decide throw a sack over the Queen an stick her in the back of Clegg’s Astra.

Winner: Tie

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"Yeah - I've got her... now let's talk"

Tradition:

The Sargent at Arms introduces the State of the Union with the now iconic words "Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States." And that’s it…

Affairs in the UK are a little more complicated with the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, or just Black Rod to use his online chat name, summoning MPs to come to the Lords. As he approaches, the door is slammed in his face. He then strikes the door three times. The whole farrago is lent gravitas by Black Rod’s tights and buckles.

Winner: Parliament

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The Parliamentary pantomime that is 'Black Rod'

Controversy:

During the 2009 State of the Union, congressman Joe Wilson threw a Tea Party temper tantrum by shouting out "you lie" twice during Obama’s address (Video below). He quickly apologised, having reduced his entire political career to a two-word bumper sticker.

There was mild controversy in 2013, when The Duchess of Cornwall attended her first State Opening and sat too close to the Queen. Royal watchers thought this was a clear message abut the prominent role Camilla will play in the future Monarchy, sending the all twelve members of Diana’s fan club (Tunbridge Wells chapter) into meltdown.

Winner: Congress

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Joe Wilson was heralded by the populist masses for calling Obama a liar

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Unforgettable State of The Union Moments
Justice Alito Mouths 'Not True'(01 of09)
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During the 2010 State of the Union, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito mouthed the words "not true," in response to President Barack Obama's statement that the Court's ruling in the Citizens United case had "open[ed] the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign corporations -- to spend without limit in our elections." (credit:AP)
Bush Criticized For Using Term 'Democrat Majority'(02 of09)
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In his 2007 address, President Bush began his speech on a bipartisan foot by commending new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), saying "I congratulate the Democrat majority." By eliminating the syllable "-ic" from the word "Democratic," Bush caused a stir among liberals. The phrase "Democrat party" has long been an epithet used by Republicans to express contempt for their opponents. However, it's unclear whether the omission was intentional. The text of Bush's speech said "Democratic party," suggesting that the use of the term was accidental. (credit:AP)
Clinton Replaces 'Livable' With 'Liberal'(03 of09)
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President Clinton made a Freudian slip during his final State of the Union address in 2000, twice replacing the word "livable" with the word "liberal," and then abruptly correcting himself:
Last year, the Vice President launched a new effort to make communities more liberal -- livable -- (laughter) -- liberal, I know. (Laughter and applause.) Wait a minute, I've got a punchline now. That's this year's agenda; last year was livable, right? (Laughter.) That's what Senator Lott is going to say in the commentary afterwards. (Laughter.) To make our communities more livable. This is big business. This is a big issue. What does that mean? You ask anybody that lives in an unlivable community, and they'll tell you. They want their kids to grow up next to parks, not parking lots; the parents don't have to spend all their time stalled in traffic when they could be home with their children.Tonight, I ask you to support new funding for the following things, to make American communities for liberal -- livable. (Laughter and applause.) I've done pretty well with this speech, but I can't say that. (Applause.)
 (credit:AP)
Clinton Bypasses Impeachment Troubles(04 of09)
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Despite being in the middle of his trial, Bill Clinton made no explicit mention of impeachment during the 1999 State of the Union. The closest he came was alluding to his troubles: "Yet perhaps in the daily press of events, in the clash of controversy, we do not see our own time for what it truly is: a new dawn for America." (credit:AP)
Reagan Leads With George Washington Joke (05 of09)
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In 1982, President Ronald Reagan began his first official State of the Union address with a joke that poked fun at the media:
"President Washington began this tradition in 1790, after reminding the nation that the destiny of self-government and the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty is finally staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people. "For our friends in the press who place a high premium on accuracy, let me say, I did not actually hear George Washington say that."
(credit:AP)
Nixon Calls For End Of Watergate Investigation(06 of09)
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Six months before resigning from office in disgrace, President Richard Nixon called on Congress to end the Watergate investigation. During his 1974 address, he said, "I believe the time has come to bring that investigation and the other investigations of this matter to an end. One year of Watergate is enough." (credit:AP)
LBJ Introduces Great Society (07 of09)
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President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced his Great Society program during his 1965 address. The domestic policy was aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice. "The Great Society asks not how much, but how good; not only how to create wealth but how to use it; not only how fast we are going, but where we are headed," he said. "It proposes as the first test for a nation: the quality of its people." (credit:AP)
Lincoln Foreshadows Emancipation Proclamation(08 of09)
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During his 1862 State of the Union address, President Abraham Lincoln foreshadowed the Emancipation Proclamation, which he would sign just a month later. "In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free -- honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve," he said. (credit:AP)
James Monroe Outlines His Eponymous Doctrine(09 of09)
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In his 1823 address to Congress, President James Monroe outlined what would become to be known as the "Monroe Doctrine," a key foundation of American foreign policy. As he declared, "The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers." (credit:AP)
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