The State of Joe Biden
Joe Biden has his best opportunity ever to reintroduce himself to the American public at the 2024 State of the Union address.
In no particular order, here are some themes that Joe should emphasize.
In contrast to Trump’s dark, dystopian view of a feeble, failing, America, project a positive, dynamic vision of the future.
Without mentioning the former guy, blast the defeatists and the fear mongers, the whiners who think only fascism can save our country, the people who despise the American dream and refuse to help make it available to all our citizens. Remind the country that we have the fairest elections and judicial system in the world. Is it perfect? No. But those who attempt to subvert our elections, who spread Russian propaganda to undermine public confidence in our institutions, who would overthrow the will of the public, can never be allowed to succeed.
Talk about expanding freedom here and abroad, and especially when it comes to the rights of women and families to decide how and when to give birth.
Engage in a bit of triumphalism, but don't dwell on it. Remind the audience that our economy is the envy of the world. People want to get out of Russia and China. They DO want to come here.
Do we have a problem at the border? Yes. Because people are literally dying to get in here. Remember, the last president was going to solve the problem. We're still waiting for Mexico to build that wall.
Four years ago, under the previous president, our country was ravaged by Covid, hemorrhaging jobs. civil unrest, and a massive spike in crime. We've reversed that - we've halted the pandemic, dramatically reduced crime, and restored civil order.
Remember the mobile morgues to house the bodies of victims of the plague? Remember being told to inject bleach? Thank God science and common sense reigned and we defeated the scourge. Now we have to make sure that the know-nothings don't gut funding for science and technological research.
Today, our financial markets are setting record highs - which means more money for investment in our companies and increased wealth for everyone with a pension plan. We've created millions of good-paying jobs, and brought manufacturing back to our shores. Elon Musk is a controversial figure, and he doesn't seem to have any love for Joe Biden, everyone has to admit that he's some kind of genius. Wish he were here at the SOTU as your guest.
The legislation we passed will ensure our future leadership in science and technology.
And our labor unions have come back to provide more protection and higher pay to our workers. Remind everyone that you were the first president to join a picket line, at least as president - Ronald Reagan may have walked with workers when he led the Screen Actors Guild.
Of course, we've had a run of bad inflation that has hurted everyone, and especially the middle-class. We think our efforts have slowed the rise in prices, but there's more that we can do. The corporate sector is making unprecedented profits. We don't begrudge their success. After all, in large measure their success is America's. As the old saying goes, what's good for GM is good for America. Of course, I'd add Ford and Chrysler, too, and the newest automotive powerhouse, Tesla.
But we have to guard against profiteering that hurts the American public. Don't go Bernie Sanders on corporations, but encourage good corporate citizenship is also in shareholders interests. Suggest steps you're looking at, including legislation, working with states to halt profiteering, and looking to good corporate citizenship as a requirement of any and all government funding.
Public investments and the entrepreneurial spirit of our free-enterprise economic system have led to unprecedented prosperity, and the cutting-edge medical, automotive and space technology of both the government and the corporate sector.companies. We've returned to the moon, and are heading to Mars. The sky is literally the limit. If we don't let the cynics and the cowards blow it.
Foreign students clamor to enter our universities. Foreigners are desperate for our freedom and economic opportunities.
We had agreement on a bipartisan bill to address the crisis at the border. Trump told the gutless Republicans in the House to kill it, and they did. Remarkably, some of the very sponsors of the bill threw up on their hands, got on their knees, rejected their own principles, and said politics is more important than the safety and security of our country.
We still want to work with Republicans to come up with bipartisan solutions to the border. But for now, announce drastic steps to dramatically reduce the influx of immigrants that you're going to take NOW. And briefly explain why they're not ideal and why you waited.
Make the contrasts with Trump clear:
* Freedom versus fascism.
* Democracy versus dictatorship.
* Faith versus fear.
* Prosperity versus poverty.
It wouldn't hurt to lift liberally from Bernie Sanders: our goal is health care for all. We want to expand Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and ensure that quality, affordable health care is available to all Americans, including children, seniors, and those with pre-existing conditions. Given an opportunity, Republicans will do the opposite, even when it will hurt or kill their fellow Americans.
We want to expand Social Security. Many Republicans want to end it.
We want to protect our political and economic interests overseas. Our allies count on us, and our businesses count on us.
We fight for freedom. We don’t grovel to Vladimir Putin.
Our alliances in Europe and Asia have never been stronger. NATO is a bulwark against Russian expansion. Many Republicans want to end our support for it.
Ukraine is battling for its freedom, and that of the world. Many Republicans tell them to go to hell. They want Russia to win and conquer the free states of Europe.
In the Middle East, we want a ceasefire that leads to a permanent peace - and a safe, secure Israel and a peaceful a democratic Palestinian state. Remind the public that Hamas' treacherous attack on civilians broke a long-standing ceasefire, that the United States is working non-stop with Arab nations for a ceasefire and a lasting peace, and that when there is a ceasefire, it will be largely because of the efforts of the United States. Call on both Israel and Hamas to stop the fighting immediately.
Don't brag on all you've done to wipe out student loan payments. No one buys it. Instead, address students directly, and explain how you've given them breaks on their loans, and that you look to do a lot more to lower the costs of higher education.. And explain that you'd like to do more to expand opportunities for ordinary Americans, farmers, homeowners, and small business people. Feel their pain, and your belief that no one should have to live paycheck to paycheck. We’re the richest country in the world. We can do a hell of a lot better.
Reiterate your respect for our military - the most powerful fighting force the world has ever seen. And remind the public that patriots don’t insult our veterans and the men and women who protect us - and sometimes make the supreme sacrifice so that we and the world can live in peace. Without mentioning Trump's name, damn his love of Vladimir Putin. Mention that tomorrow he's going to pay his respects to the dictator of Hungary, an apparent role model who has taken away basic human freedoms from his people. Ask if that's what we want here.
The pundits are predicting that you'll offer a number of policy proposals to address specific interest groups, including first-time homebuyers. But if his proposals aren't dramatic and part of a larger vision, they won't swing public opinion in his direction. The public, and especially young and swing voters, don't give a damn about policy. They only want what they can see, even if it's the illusion of greatness that Trump offers. Tell them you'll lower prices, that you'll protect them - without going into wonky details - and they'll know who you are and what you represent. Tell them your legislative plans and they'll turn you off.
Some of these ideas may be too partisan for the public and the Congress. Fine. Tone it down. Don't blast Republicans. Instead, ask them to join you and all decent Americans who want a better life for themselves.
We've let cultural differences infect our politics. It's got to stop. Stop being woke. Stop censoring. Get back to basics and make sure our kids get our of high school knowing how to read and write.
And remind everyone that we are ONE country. States shouldn't go to war with each other. As Lincoln said, a house divided cannot stand. If we war against each other, we all end up losing. Don't mention specific states - Texas and Florida - that have literally put helpless refugees on buses to other states. But remind those states that they won't like it if helps isn't available when THEY need it.
Speak of your love for America and his family, and of his faith in his church and his country.
See? No small talk, no trivia. Bur rather, a big picture, visionary, dynamic approach to our future.
Promise lower prices, secure borders, and the restoration of faith in the American dream, and you'll win.