To Tallahassee and Back: Legislative Guest Speakers President Bill Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich

When the gavel drops at 10 AM on March 5^th, the respective chambers of the Florida Legislature will be called into session.  The sixty-day clock will begin to run.  Its spring will fully unwind at midnight on May 3, unless the body chooses to extend.  During this relatively short period of time the work of Florida’s legislative arm of government will roll forward, hitting its fever pitch during the days leading up to the 3rd of May.

One of the very first traditions of the new session will be the governor’s delivery of the State of the State address.  Much like the State of the Union speech given to Congress each year, this presentation will be the governor’s chance to not only share the good things going on in Florida, it is his time to lay out his own priorities for the session.  The two chambers will meet in joint session to hear Governor Scott’s address. 

Few people outside of the legislative process ever have the opportunity to mount the podium and address the Legislature, and through them the people of Florida.  Most guest speakers address the body from what is called “The Well,” a mounted microphone that sits off to the side of the main podium. It is a rare honor for someone to be invited to address the collected legislature from the main podium.  Over the years that I have worked in the Capitol, there have been a few notable “guest speakers” who were invited to address the Florida Legislature meeting in joint session.  The two that stand out most in my mind were President Bill Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Both came to Tallahassee in the 1990’s.  While the content of their respective speeches could not be more different, their ability to connect with their audience was not dissimilar.  Political beliefs aside, both men struck me as articulate speakers who deftly used humor to make themselves appear approachable.  President Clinton was more folksy and “everyday Joe” while Speaker Gingrich was more “professorial,” a characteristic anyone who watched the 2012 presidential debates no-doubt observed.  Both had risen to the top of their professions because they were shrewd, smart and had their pulse on the issues of import to Americans at the time. Their respective terms of office ended in eerily similar circumstances of moral or political failure which time has all but erased in the minds of most.

President Clinton’s visit in 1995 coincided with the annual Miami-Dade “paella” day.  This event is one of the most anticipated of the legislative session.  An enormous paella pan is delivered to the Capitol courtyard the evening before the event.  The folks who cook up this unique mixture of rice, seafood, vegetables and spices literally prepare enough of this “good stuff” to feed the entire Capitol.  My lasting memory of that day is one of watching President Clinton make his way to the head of the paella line to receive his plateful of this delicious dish.  His affinity for food is well known and no doubt he dug into that plate with his usual gusto.

I don’t recall if there was an outdoor event that accompanied Speaker Gingrich’s visit.  My strongest memory of his 1998 speech was his insight and grasp of the minute details of history and policy.   President Clinton had the personality that elevated him to the presidency.  Speaker Gingrich was better suited, in my opinion, to be “America’s Teacher.”  However, both were excellent spokesmen for their respective outlooks on the role of government in America.

When Governor Scott mounts the podium and addresses Florida on March 5^th he may be the first, or only, individual who will address a joint session.  One of the fun things about this process is that surprises happen.  Who knows if we will be blessed with an as yet unknown speaker?  Only time will tell.

 If you have any questions about Florida government please do not hesitate to leave me a comment.  I will gladly respond either in a reply or an upcoming blog post.  As always, thank you for your loyal readership!