President Biden Faces High Stakes as He Prepares for State of the Union Address
President Biden is facing a crucial moment in his presidency as he prepares to deliver his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. With negative approval ratings and trailing former President Trump in the latest polling average, Biden has an opportunity to turn the narrative around and gain support with eight months to go until the November election.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the importance of this moment for the president, stating that he is looking forward to discussing his accomplishments and vision for the country. This speech may be Biden’s largest national audience before the November election, as it is uncertain whether he and Trump will face off in general election debates.
At 81 years old, Biden is the oldest president in the nation’s history, and polls indicate that a majority of Americans have concerns about his physical and mental abilities to handle another four years in office. Republican strategist Colin Reed pointed to these concerns and stated that the pressure is mounting on Biden to demonstrate that his age is not as big of an issue as people think.
Reed, who served as a top adviser to a super PAC supporting former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s nomination challenge against Trump, emphasized that this speech has taken on heightened importance due to voters’ concerns about Biden’s ability to perform the job. He stated that people view Biden as a “creaky, rickety, frail human being,” and this speech is an opportunity for the president to prove them wrong.
Democratic consultant Maria Cardona advised Biden to address concerns about his age in a way that transmits a dynamic and robust vibe. She stated that Biden needs to convey that age is not an issue and that he is young at heart and modern in ideas and vision for the future. Cardona also highlighted the importance of contrasting Biden’s wisdom and experience with his opponent, whom she described as a “dangerous, existential threat.”
While Biden may not mention Trump by name, Cardona believes that Trump’s past policies and future intentions will be in the room, as Biden will make it clear that he is running against Trump’s ideology. Reed agreed, stating that if this election is about Biden, it’s bad news for him, but if it’s about Trump, that’s Biden’s only path forward. He emphasized the need for Biden to lay out clear contrasts between his proposals and his opponent’s.
As Biden delivers his address, he can expect Republican members of Congress and top Trump supporters in the audience. There is also a possibility of interruptions, as Biden experienced during last year’s speech. Democratic strategist Chris Moyer highlighted the importance of how Biden comes across during the address, stating that voters will remember how they felt watching him rather than specific agenda items.
In this high-stakes moment, Biden has an opportunity to reshape the narrative and gain support as he discusses his accomplishments and vision for the country. With concerns about his age lingering, Biden must prove that he is capable of leading the nation for another four years. As the November election approaches, all eyes will be on Biden’s State of the Union address and how it resonates with the American electorate.
