Major Presidential Speeches

 

A major speech is defined as live nationally televised and broadcast addresses to the country that preempt all major network programming.  Inaugural Adresses and  State of the Union Addresses are included.

 

President
total in term
yearly average
average monthly interval between speeches
Coolidge
25
5.0
2.4
Hoover
7
1.8
6.1
Roosevelt I
12
3.0
4.0
Roosevelt II
13
3.3
3.7
Roosevelt III
19
4.8
2.5
Roosevelt IV
1
 --
-- 
Truman I
17
3.4
2.8
Truman II
15
3.8
3.2
Eisenhower I
21
5.3
2.3
Eisenhower II
20
5.0
2.5
Kennedy
15
5.0
2.3
Johnson
23
4.6
2.7
Nixon I
23
5.8
2.1
Nixon II
13
8.1
1.5
Ford
12
5.2
2.4
Carter
17
4.3
2.8
Reagan I
20
5.0
2.4
Reagan II
27
6.8
1.8
Bush
17
4.3
2.8
Clinton I
14
3.5
3.4

 

 

 

 

Source(s)

Lyn Ragsdale, Vital Statistics on the Presidency (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press, 1998), 167.  Modifications to the data for Coolidge and Hoover compiled by Gerhard Peters and taken from Congressional Record (1929-32)