How shocked will the uninformed be tonight after the President states the truth about the

[FarCenter]

14. It is a stupid ceremony - he should just email it to Congress

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 of the U.S. Constitution

There is no constitutional requirement to appear before Congress and give a snoozer of a speech. Although Washington and Adams did so, Jefferson discontinued the practice in 1801, and it was only resumed in 1913 by Woodrow Wilson. However, it was not delivered in person on several occasions by multiple presidents since then, the last to mail it in being Carter in '81.

It is, of course, modeled on the Queen's address at the opening of Parliament.