In contrast to Trump, Biden used the State of the Union to persuade people to support a second term

President Joe Biden used his State of the Union speech on Thursday to urge voters to reject “resentment, revenge, and retribution,” as well as to warn that GOP front-runner Donald Trump would be a hazardous alternative. The speech was intended to uplift the spirits of a dejected audience.

Just eight months before Biden announces his candidacy for reelection, his speech from the House rostrum resembled an interview for the nation’s oldest president as he attempts to allay voter concerns about his age and work performance while highlighting the differences with his almost certain opponent in November. He stood up and slammed his predecessor for adopting anti-democratic policies in the United States and for abandoning American friends overseas.

“Both at home and abroad, freedom and democracy are being attacked at the same time,” said Biden, pleading with Congress to back Ukraine’s defense operations against Russia’s invasion. “History is observing.”

Biden swiftly shifted his focus to domestic issues, citing the Trump supporters’ January 6, 2021, uprising in the Capitol that aimed to void the results of the 2020 election and advocating for the countering of this menace to democracy.

Biden said, “I will not do that. My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth about Jan. 6.” “Now is the time to expose falsehoods and tell the truth. This is a basic fact. You cannot love your nation just when it is successful.

“I’ve learned to embrace freedom and democracy throughout my life,” said Biden. “A future founded on the fundamental principles that have characterized America: equality, decency, honesty, and dignity. to treat everyone with dignity. to provide a fair chance to everyone. not to provide a haven for hatred. Some individuals my age now see a different narrative, one that is centered on American hatred, vengeance, and retribution. I’m not like that.

The president outlined his achievements in manufacturing and infrastructure while pressuring Congress to approve more help to Ukraine, stricter immigration laws, and reduced prescription medication costs. In addition, he made an effort to remind voters of the circumstances that a collapsing economy and a spreading epidemic greeted him in 2021, when he became office.

The 81-year-old president was being attentively observed not just for the content of his speech but also for the passion and authority with which he delivered it.

White House insiders said that Biden wanted to show his adversarial side and attempt to poke fun at Republicans for views he felt were out of touch with the nation, especially on healthcare and tax policy, but also on abortion access. He plans to utilize even formal speeches throughout the campaign season to help people understand their options when they cast ballots this autumn.

Speaking before a historically ineffectual Congress was the president. Five months ago, Speaker Mike Johnson of the GOP-led House took over after the disorderly resignation of outgoing Speaker Kevin McCarthy. In addition to having been unable to agree on foreign aid measures for months, which would have supported Israel’s battle against Hamas and helped Ukraine fend off Russia’s invasion, lawmakers are currently having difficulty passing finance bills for the current year.

A highlight event on the White House schedule, the State of the Union address gives presidents a direct channel to tens of millions of viewers at home as well as a captive audience of legislators and guests in the House chamber. However, with fewer people tuning in, the evening has become quite dull.

Biden’s campaign and White House staff had hoped for some new, viral moments, such as the time he sparred with heckling Republicans last year and chastised them for their previous attempts to reduce Social Security and Medicare.

A source familiar with Johnson’s statements to legislators claims that he pushed Republicans in a secret meeting on Wednesday to exhibit “decorum” during the address in an effort to prevent a repeat of the incident this year.

In addition, House Republican leaders used the State of the Union reply to introduce one of their newest members and draw a generational divide with Biden. The youngest Republican woman elected to the Senate, Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, intended to depict a country that “seems to be slipping away” and one in which “our families are hurting.”

Our commander-in-chief is not in charge at the moment. Excerpts that were made public on Thursday night said that Britt will remark, “The free world deserves better than a dithering and diminished leader.” “Leaders who understand that a great country is built on safe streets, stable prices, secure borders, and a robust defense are what America deserves.”

With the passage of the several laws he signed into law during his first two years in office, Biden outlined a hopeful future for the nation. He was also scheduled to issue a warning, pointing out that the progress he observes both domestically and internationally is precarious and more so in the event that Trump wins reelection.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump said that he will react to Biden’s comments immediately.

This year, Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s battle against Hamas in Gaza caused heightened emotions, especially among his base followers. At first, the White House had anticipated that by the time of the address, a temporary cease-fire would be established. It holds Hamas accountable for rejecting a settlement that the United States and its partners mediated.

Many Republicans and Democrats donned stickers and pins in support of the Israeli prisoners who are currently being held captive in Gaza. Concurrently, a number of progressive members of the House donned Palestinian keffiyehs, which are checkered scarves in black and white that have come to represent Palestinian solidarity. Hundreds of pro-cease-fire protesters attempted to obstruct Biden’s motorcade’s way from the White House, forcing it to take a detour to reach the Capitol.

In his speech, Biden revealed that he had ordered the U.S. military to build a temporary port on the Gaza shore in an effort to increase the flow of supplies into the embattled region, in response to mounting worries about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Additionally, the president strongly urged Congress to approve much-needed military funding for Ukraine. In the two-year-old conflict, acute ammo shortages have given Russia the opportunity to regain the offensive.

Since Trump used his power to help kill a bipartisan deal that would have done exactly that, the GOP-controlled House has failed to move on a Senate-passed version of the assistance package, insisting instead on additional, stricter provisions to prevent migration at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Biden’s address included a significant discussion on access to abortion and fertility treatments, particularly in light of a contentious decision made by the Alabama Supreme Court that has completely changed the state’s laws governing access to IVF procedures.

Kate Cox, who battled Texas and eventually fled her home state to have an emergency abortion when a serious fetal abnormality was discovered, was one of first lady Jill Biden’s guests at the address.

“I pledge to the people of America that I will reinstate Roe v. Wade as the supreme law of the land if they elect a Congress that upholds the right to choose,” Biden said. To support reproductive rights, a number of Democratic women members of the House wore white, a color associated with women’s suffrage.

Along with Jill Biden and her husband, who traversed the nation promoting his agenda, the White House also invited union officials and a gun control champion. Ulf Kristersson, Sweden’s prime minister, will be present to commemorate his nation’s NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Former Representative George Santos, who was expelled and humiliated but still has floor rights as a former member of Congress, attended the address as well.

Prior to the State of the Union address, Biden also brought up the issues of “shrinkflation,” which refers to businesses placing fewer yogurt containers and pretzel jars in circulation, as well as “junk fees” for various services. Although neither is a major cause of inflation, the White House wants to convey to customers that Biden is on their side.

Additionally, Biden presented a more comprehensive proposal to boost corporation taxes and utilize the money raised to reduce budget deficits and lower middle-class taxes.

In order to improve his position, Biden had work to do when he gave the address. According to a recent study conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, only 38% of American adults approve of how he is performing his job as president, while 61% disapprove.

According to the same study, over half of respondents (63%) said they had little to no confidence in Biden’s mental capacity to lead the country as president. A comparable but somewhat smaller portion (57%) believe that Trump is not cognitively and mentally fit for the position.

When special counsel Robert Hur questioned the president’s mental capacity in his report last month over Biden’s handling of sensitive material, it intensified the already intense attention around Biden’s advanced age. Hur will give a testimony about his inquiry to legislators on Tuesday.

After the address, Biden had a busy weekend of campaigning, with events scheduled for Friday in Pennsylvania and Saturday in Georgia. That day, Trump is scheduled to campaign in Georgia as well. Additionally, the president’s Cabinet will spread its message across the nation.

More than 200 watch parties will be held around the nation on Thursday night, according to the Biden campaign. These events will take place in battleground states’ cities, suburbs, and small towns. The events will be used by campaign leaders to enlist volunteers and inspire people to support Biden’s reelection campaign.