By Mayank Chhaya-
Joe Biden delivered his presidency’s sharpest and most determined address as part of his last State of the Union speech on March 7 which appeared to have blown away some of the apprehensions and misgivings about his candidacy within the Democratic Party.
There were several punches at those who have been speculating about his weakening grip. In saying right off the bat that, “Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War have freedom and democracy been under assault here at home as they are today” the president quickly established his contrast with his garrulous but often incoherent rival, former President Donald Trump.
Keeping one eye firmly on former President Ronald Reagan’s exalted status within the Republican Party, Biden said, “It wasn’t that long ago when a Republican President, Ronald Reagan, thundered, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. Now, my predecessor, a former Republican President, tells Putin, “Do whatever the hell you want.”
The president’s strongest punch came in the context of abortion rights and the overturning of Roe V. Wade. As the Supreme Court justices sat with a uniformly somber expression, Biden said, “In its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade the Supreme Court majority wrote, “Women are not without – electoral or political power. No kidding.
Clearly, those bragging about overturning Roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women in America.
They found out though when reproductive freedom was on the ballot and won in 2022, 2023, and they will find out again, in 2024.”
There is recognition within the Biden world that protecting abortion rights is a winning issue for him because wide-ranging support from women and women’s groups across the country irrespective of their ideological predilections otherwise.
By attaching Trump to two hugely consequential but disparate issues of the danger to US democracy and women’s reproductive rights, Biden appeared to be sharpening his reelection narrative.
Along with those apparently signature issues, Biden made it a point to highlight his government’s economic success.
“I inherited an economy that was on the brink. Now our economy is the envy of the world! 15 million new jobs in just three years – that’s a record! Unemployment at 50-year lows. A record 16 million Americans are starting small businesses and each one is an act of hope. With historic job growth and small business growth for Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans. 800,000 new manufacturing jobs in America and counting,” he said.
It was noted by many that Biden chose to start his State of the Union with a war overseas and one in which America is not directly involved but has a great deal at stake—between Russia and Ukraine. He invoked the memories of the Second World War saying, “I address you at a moment unprecedented in the history of the Union. Hitler was on the march. War was raging in Europe. President Roosevelt’s purpose was to wake up Congress and alert the American people that this was no ordinary moment. Freedom and democracy were under assault in the world.
Tonight, I come to the same chamber to address the nation. Now it is we who face an unprecedented moment in the history of the Union.
And yes, my purpose tonight is to both wake up this Congress and alert the American people that this is no ordinary moment either.”
“Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War have freedom and democracy been under assault here at home as they are today. What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack, both at home and overseas, at the very same time. Overseas, (President Vladimir) Putin of Russia is on the march, invading Ukraine and sowing chaos throughout Europe and beyond. If anybody in this room thinks Putin will stop at Ukraine, I assure you, he will not.
But Ukraine can stop Putin if we stand with Ukraine and provide the weapons it needs to defend itself. That is all Ukraine is asking. They are not asking for American soldiers. In fact, there are no American soldiers at war in Ukraine. And I am determined to keep it that way,” he said.
Here too, he referred to Trump without naming him. “But now assistance for Ukraine is being blocked by those who want us to walk away from our leadership in the world. It wasn’t that long ago when a Republican President, Ronald Reagan, thundered, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Now, my predecessor, a former Republican President, tells Putin, “Do whatever the hell you want.”,” he said.
The purpose of the State of the Union was obviously to reassure those doubting his resolve within the Democratic Party on account of his age even while delivering some hefty punches to his opponent. He will, of course, get numerous opportunities in the run-up to the election in November but none that would have the trimmings and appurtenances of his office that come only during a State of the Union address. He made the most of it.
