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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.
on the other hand, it's totally healthy to have domestic differences on economic policy, while being (generally) united on leading foreign policy issues
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.
In a lot of ways, keeping it to NATO protects us from a lot more war decisions. We haven’t let in any of the eastern bloc like Ukraine yet because Putin has been in power a long time, and he has nukes. Had Ukraine been a member a week ago, we’d be there with at least our jets flying if not with ground troops, lest we render the treaty dead. If we think Putin is rankled now, it would have put us on a nuclear hair trigger. So you’ll see talks of Ukraine joining EU as a carrot or reward for going through what it’s going through, but you won’t see NATO membership (if Ukraine survives, that is) because it wouldn't want to absorb the conflict. Also, it’s really hard to join NATO. You need to meet stringent criteria. Hope that helps! —Melissa
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.
Axe making a very good point on CNN that while some (me! Axe!) may have wanted more on Ukraine and foreign policy, Biden "is the only one who sits at the head of the table in the Situation Room," and is cognizant of intelligence, negotiations and other relevant factors.
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.
I found the speech underwhelming, honestly. It was around this point, about 45 or 50 minutes in that I turned it off. I’m an ex-Republican who has tried to seriously consider the Democratic Party, but while I completely agree with criticisms of the GOP and general problems in the US, I just can’t get behind these policy solutions. Maybe it’s just too hard to break the habit of seeing “big government” as creating problems (like mass incarceration or drug prices) and then wanting to fix it as well. So all of these talking points just go right past me. I feel like I’ve given them honest thought and consideration. I’ve been listening to Ezra Klein and other Democrats (like you guys) attentively for over two years now and still, I just can’t.
I didn’t watch the GOP response. Probably unfair of me to say without listening, but it could only be absolute nonsense. I am absolutely fed up with the GOP. My lone little vote is just going to waste over here. 🙃
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
And Biden's approval ratings reached the high-40s...https://twitter.com/HCTrudo/status/1499793357127786496?s=20&t=BcbEPTB438d_Eu8KzKunPA
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.
just heard a clip of a line i missed the first time around in which Biden did reference this
yes, good point
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
agreed. I think he could have had a strong address focusing on unity, resolve, etc. That might have been more of what we need right now.
on the other hand, it's totally healthy to have domestic differences on economic policy, while being (generally) united on leading foreign policy issues
Opening with Ukraine, and the weight and force here will carry through for the rest of the speech.
really powerful for Biden to quote Zelenskyy.
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.
OK, the last part is amazing and that means they'll be having a lot of juice lol --Melissa
Is that what we're calling "G&T?" (from most recent episode)
Ha, that was real! But most of the time I'm drinking juice because I'm always craving it.
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)
In a lot of ways, keeping it to NATO protects us from a lot more war decisions. We haven’t let in any of the eastern bloc like Ukraine yet because Putin has been in power a long time, and he has nukes. Had Ukraine been a member a week ago, we’d be there with at least our jets flying if not with ground troops, lest we render the treaty dead. If we think Putin is rankled now, it would have put us on a nuclear hair trigger. So you’ll see talks of Ukraine joining EU as a carrot or reward for going through what it’s going through, but you won’t see NATO membership (if Ukraine survives, that is) because it wouldn't want to absorb the conflict. Also, it’s really hard to join NATO. You need to meet stringent criteria. Hope that helps! —Melissa
So helpful - thanks, Melissa!
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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.
Axe making a very good point on CNN that while some (me! Axe!) may have wanted more on Ukraine and foreign policy, Biden "is the only one who sits at the head of the table in the Situation Room," and is cognizant of intelligence, negotiations and other relevant factors.
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)
I found the speech underwhelming, honestly. It was around this point, about 45 or 50 minutes in that I turned it off. I’m an ex-Republican who has tried to seriously consider the Democratic Party, but while I completely agree with criticisms of the GOP and general problems in the US, I just can’t get behind these policy solutions. Maybe it’s just too hard to break the habit of seeing “big government” as creating problems (like mass incarceration or drug prices) and then wanting to fix it as well. So all of these talking points just go right past me. I feel like I’ve given them honest thought and consideration. I’ve been listening to Ezra Klein and other Democrats (like you guys) attentively for over two years now and still, I just can’t.
I totally get that. Totally fair! Did you like the GOP response?
I do think the speech absolutely lost steam in the middle...not thematic enough, too disjointed.
I didn’t watch the GOP response. Probably unfair of me to say without listening, but it could only be absolute nonsense. I am absolutely fed up with the GOP. My lone little vote is just going to waste over here. 🙃
we're grateful to have you as a reader, Genni!
Keep up the good work. Your focus on faith in the news in my favorite thing you guys do. 👍
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.