Who revived the tradition of personal presidential appearances?
Jeffersons precedent was followed until April 8, 1913, when President Woodrow Wilson appeared before Congress to personally deliver a special message on tariff and bank reform. President Wilson is credited with reinventing the annual message, transforming it from a report on the activities of the executive departments into a blueprint for the Presidents legislative program for the coming congressional session and year. Wilson subsequently delivered six of his annual messages in person (1913-1918); President Warren Harding, two (1921 and 1922); and President Calvin Coolidge, one (1923). President Herbert Hoover made no personal appearances before Congress. President Franklin Roosevelt established the personal appearance as a permanent tradition with his 1934 State of the Union Message.
