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The president\u2019s inaugural address exemplifies America\u2019s republican constitution. It serves as the point of connection between the \u201cpoetry\u201d of campaigns and the \u201cprose\u201d of governance. It embodies the peaceful transition of power, usually with the outgoing president present for the occasion. It comes weeks after the election\u2019s other candidate concedes the loss, and moments after the new president swears his constitutional oath of office.

To explore the meaning of inaugural addresses in our constitutional order, University of Texas Professor of Government Jeffrey Tulis and AEI Resident Scholar Gary Schmitt join Adam on today\u2019s episode of Unprecedential. Transitions, as Tevi Troy explained in the last episode, begin to translate campaign promises into policy. By contrast, Gary and Jeff note, inaugural addresses connect the president\u2019s oath of office to the new administration\u2019s agenda.