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Tonight’s address will be a different one than the White House expected to deliver months ago, and the circumstances and national/global mood will lend this address an even greater gravity and import than is typical.
I’m looking for quite a bit tonight, but the main thing is to what extent Biden, and his audience, seem to value showing a united, resolute America in the face of Russian aggression, or whether typical, domestic partisanship overrides that priority.
Let me know what you’re looking for tonight. What do you want to hear from the President?
Don't underestimate how powerful it is for Americans to hear Biden acknowledge the rising cost of specific goods. I know I personally felt seen by the reference to the cost of cars.
So, I'll say that my expectation going in is that this is a turning point for the Biden Administration. I think the circumstances basically allow for President Biden to focus on areas where he's comfortable and confident: foreign policy and the global coalition he's built in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine, the infrastructure bill, American values and unity, etc. I expect we'll see Biden's approval rating to reach the high 40s-mid 50s following in the coming weeks. I'm looking to see Mike Donilon's influence on this speech, a clear moral voice that was strong during the campaign, shining through in arguably Biden's most significant speech of his presidency.
Mar 2, 2022·edited Mar 2, 2022Liked by Michael & Melissa Wear
I'd love to see that we are willing to do more than send bullets if necessary.
I'd love to see him highlight what Putin is doing to the Russian people as well as the Ukrainian.
I'd love to see the bravery of the Ukrainian president and people praised, highlighting how we as Americans can learn from the level to which they are taking ownership of the responsibility of citizenship and the flourishing of their land.
I'd love to see an endorsement for "Wear is the Love" and that Joe and Jill listen to each episode and have whatever Melissa has as they do.
I may write a piece, but I'll say I thought Biden's speech was sufficient. I do think they viewed it as a way to set the stage for action this year, but I think they should have stripped it down and went big rhetorically...Ukraine/Russia, COVID, Infrastructure, and then maybe just a few big ticket items for focus moving forward. Still...he was strong, assertive, and I do think he probably shored up some support among Democrats and some independents.
Sorry, maybe I'm wrong, but I just do not recall individual Democrats yelling at Trump during his State of the Union. But Obama dealt with it. Biden's dealing with it.
Biden's always been right here rhetorically re: taxes. It's not about antagonism. It's not about not wanting people to have money. It's about fairness. No antipathy, just common sense.
Don't underestimate how powerful it is for Americans to hear Biden acknowledge the rising cost of specific goods. I know I personally felt seen by the reference to the cost of cars.
Here we go!
Really wonderful to watch this with you all tonight!
"I believe in recovery." Great line.
Wow this jobs section is really strong
Yes, Biden should camp out here on the infrastructure bill for a little bit
Biden forceful so far, but at a fairly high level. I hope he takes this down and communicates directly to the American people on Ukraine here as well.
So, I'll say that my expectation going in is that this is a turning point for the Biden Administration. I think the circumstances basically allow for President Biden to focus on areas where he's comfortable and confident: foreign policy and the global coalition he's built in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine, the infrastructure bill, American values and unity, etc. I expect we'll see Biden's approval rating to reach the high 40s-mid 50s following in the coming weeks. I'm looking to see Mike Donilon's influence on this speech, a clear moral voice that was strong during the campaign, shining through in arguably Biden's most significant speech of his presidency.
-Michael
I'd love to see him acknowledge that this isn't uniform Russia - that Russian people are protesting what Putin is doing and being jailed by the 100s.
Biden has a better rhythm than I thought he'd be able to get in this speech. Really good momentum rhetorically here.
I think the dig against the Trump tax cuts came too soon after the section on Ukraine
Opening with Ukraine, and the weight and force here will carry through for the rest of the speech.
I'd love to see that we are willing to do more than send bullets if necessary.
I'd love to see him highlight what Putin is doing to the Russian people as well as the Ukrainian.
I'd love to see the bravery of the Ukrainian president and people praised, highlighting how we as Americans can learn from the level to which they are taking ownership of the responsibility of citizenship and the flourishing of their land.
I'd love to see an endorsement for "Wear is the Love" and that Joe and Jill listen to each episode and have whatever Melissa has as they do.
Can we go back at some point to the resolution to only defend NATO countries? What's the strategy here? (This belies my foreign policy ignorance)
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I may write a piece, but I'll say I thought Biden's speech was sufficient. I do think they viewed it as a way to set the stage for action this year, but I think they should have stripped it down and went big rhetorically...Ukraine/Russia, COVID, Infrastructure, and then maybe just a few big ticket items for focus moving forward. Still...he was strong, assertive, and I do think he probably shored up some support among Democrats and some independents.
Sorry, maybe I'm wrong, but I just do not recall individual Democrats yelling at Trump during his State of the Union. But Obama dealt with it. Biden's dealing with it.
Interesting to follow his line on abortion and line on the Equality Act directly with acknowledgment of serious disagreements in this country.
This extended focus on crime/law enforcement is interesting. "We should all agree the answer is not to defund the police, but to fund the police."
Biden is just plowing through this list of Democratic policy priorities (most of which have no chance of passing this session...or next, probably)
Biden's always been right here rhetorically re: taxes. It's not about antagonism. It's not about not wanting people to have money. It's about fairness. No antipathy, just common sense.
"Two of the hardest years this nation has ever faced" -Biden, referring to 2020 and 2021
First critical defensive section in Biden's speech tonight as he addresses gas prices, and announces proactive action to address the issue.