It was a great, great speech with an equally great message. In my many decades of watching the SOTU addresses, I have never seen a Speaker of the House look more uncomfortable than Johnson looked throughout the speech. He knows his majority is going down the tubes!
He also showed what a danger he is personally - and what a danger all Fundamentalists are - in his too-on-the-nose for silent movies responses to what Biden aid - especially the cross-screen of him rolling his eyes while Lankford nodded "yes" about the border bill.
Agreed. That speech was delivered with speed, energy and the vigor to be admired of a person at any age. To my mind, it was very much the most campaign type speech for a state of the union speech I've heard.
And all I could think about, as Johnson and Kamala Harris stood at the podium waiting for POTUS, was how difficult it must have been to make small talk. She’s a real trooper!
I loved that he started with the messages he wanted audience, Congressional and otherwise, to hear before tuning out - fund Ukraine, 1/6 and democracy at stake, etc. Also thought he talked about accomplishments and plans in plain and approachable ways. It was so entertaining to watch Mikey squirm.
Chris, I agree with your analysis of Biden's SOTU. The 6 to 7 minute section on Border Security is the segment that Democrats should be replaying ad nauseum through the General Election. Biden expertly set the trap with the straight talk no rhetorical editorializing litany of the bipartisan bill's provisions to improve border security with camera reax on chief GOP negotiator Sen. Jim Lankford acknowledging Biden's accurate recitation. Meanwhile, GOPers sat cold stone silent. Biden sewed it all up with a rhetorical killer conclusion -- "We can fight about the border or we can fix it. I want to fix it. Send me the bill and I'll sign it." Biden delivered other lines poorly, but this whole section was politically brilliant about the #1 issue voters tell pollsters they care about. Biden thrashed Trump and GOPers with their cynical focus on playing politics instead of governing. "I know that you can read." Ooomph. What a burn to the GOPers who didn't read the bill and declared it unacceptable as soon as Trump demanded it be killed. Yeah looking at you Speaker Johnson, Cruz, Stefanik, Graham, Scott etc...
Johnson is in trouble. Trump will NOT like his nodding when Biden talked about aid to Ukraine and the need for border legislation. On CNN, the normally reasonable Scott Jennings attacked JB for making the speech "too political". Really. With Trump on the other side? Ridiculous.
It was a fabulous speech. He hit every note he needed to. Wisdom was definitely the underlying thing he was trying to say (even it he didn't say that Chris). He has it, he has the experience to use it and no arthritis in his legs and feet (the reason, I have read for his slow walking) will stop him from doing what he can to protect and save our democracy.
He gave amnesty to many immigrants and stood up for democracy in many countries. I realize his actions often didn’t match his rhetoric and many of his policies were abhorrent.
There are people who profess to revere him whose votes Joe Biden could use in November. Unlike Donald Trump I don’t see the value in a shrinking tent. 😊
Kevin, I've been thinking this, too. Reagan would be appalled at what has happened to his party. Biden is far closer to Reagan's ideals - especially regarding immigration and regarding America's leadership position in the world against authoritarianism - than is Trump.
I'm one of the very small number of people in the country who both (i) thinks Reagan is the greatest president of my lifetime, and (ii) thinks Trump is the worst and most dangerous president in American history. Sometimes it feels like that group is just me and Liz Cheney. ;)
I was born during Eisenhower. The jury is still out for me on greatest of my lifetime. I’ll save the decision for my deathbed confessions. Hopefully, not soon.
Trump wins worst going away. God forbid there’s worse to come while I’m still breathing.
Just a reminder of the 241 military personnel who died in the Beirut barracks bombing in 1983. Could just be my faulty memory, but I don’t remember Democrats making political hay out of it.
Great deal I respect about Reagan as well, although there were some challenging decisions which give be pause. Nevertheless, the link I shared above in response to Kevin's initial post has me rethinking my evaluation some - how Reagan felt about immigration is somewhat moving...
If you think "Amiable Dunce" Ronnie the Ray Gun was "the greatest president" of your lifetime, you must have a very different understanding of the word "great." The only reason he isn't down there with Nixon for Irangate was the Congress didn't have the nerve to do it again within 10 years. I met him in Sacramento in1974, and James Garner's two word definition, from his time in SAG leadership with Ronnie, is accurate.
It didn't draw comment -- and maybe that's the best compliment of all -- but I thought Kamala Harris came off well, too. She looked assured, supportive, and just comfortable in her role. Plus, the speech touched on her work, too, when Biden complimented her leadership in the administration's response on reproductive freedom. A good moment.
It was a great, great speech with an equally great message. In my many decades of watching the SOTU addresses, I have never seen a Speaker of the House look more uncomfortable than Johnson looked throughout the speech. He knows his majority is going down the tubes!
Watching Johnson squirm was a real treat!
Should be Mike Johnson bobbleheads for sale soon, sitting in a chair which made him look small...
Johnson IS small, literally and figuratively.
Just to be clear, Johnson IS small.
He also showed what a danger he is personally - and what a danger all Fundamentalists are - in his too-on-the-nose for silent movies responses to what Biden aid - especially the cross-screen of him rolling his eyes while Lankford nodded "yes" about the border bill.
The best the GOP offered was Troy Nehl and Marjorie Taylor Greene dress like they were going to an insurrection rally. Embarrassment!!
Think about the fact that Nehls was a Texas Deputy Sheriff.
He behaves just like a good old boy deputy, who couldn't do do squat without his gun and his nightstick to do his talking for him.
The opposite of Andy and Barney up there in Mount Airy. :-)
Agreed. That speech was delivered with speed, energy and the vigor to be admired of a person at any age. To my mind, it was very much the most campaign type speech for a state of the union speech I've heard.
Mike Johnson looked constipated. Very uncomfortable.
And all I could think about, as Johnson and Kamala Harris stood at the podium waiting for POTUS, was how difficult it must have been to make small talk. She’s a real trooper!
You are right!
Haha!! Good one!!!
I loved that he started with the messages he wanted audience, Congressional and otherwise, to hear before tuning out - fund Ukraine, 1/6 and democracy at stake, etc. Also thought he talked about accomplishments and plans in plain and approachable ways. It was so entertaining to watch Mikey squirm.
Chris, I agree with your analysis of Biden's SOTU. The 6 to 7 minute section on Border Security is the segment that Democrats should be replaying ad nauseum through the General Election. Biden expertly set the trap with the straight talk no rhetorical editorializing litany of the bipartisan bill's provisions to improve border security with camera reax on chief GOP negotiator Sen. Jim Lankford acknowledging Biden's accurate recitation. Meanwhile, GOPers sat cold stone silent. Biden sewed it all up with a rhetorical killer conclusion -- "We can fight about the border or we can fix it. I want to fix it. Send me the bill and I'll sign it." Biden delivered other lines poorly, but this whole section was politically brilliant about the #1 issue voters tell pollsters they care about. Biden thrashed Trump and GOPers with their cynical focus on playing politics instead of governing. "I know that you can read." Ooomph. What a burn to the GOPers who didn't read the bill and declared it unacceptable as soon as Trump demanded it be killed. Yeah looking at you Speaker Johnson, Cruz, Stefanik, Graham, Scott etc...
The GOP doesn’t want to govern; all they care about is kissing trump’s butt
Johnson is in trouble. Trump will NOT like his nodding when Biden talked about aid to Ukraine and the need for border legislation. On CNN, the normally reasonable Scott Jennings attacked JB for making the speech "too political". Really. With Trump on the other side? Ridiculous.
Exactly, on all you stated.
There's a reason why the Cretin News Network is the Cretin News Network.
I THOUGHT SO TOO (that he nailed it)!! Now, can he continue the momentum on the campaign trail to turn this into votes - ?!
The best Biden speech in years, I would submit. Hopefully, it turned (more than) a few voters' heads.
CNN flash poll says 62% of viewers liked what they heard.
It was a fabulous speech. He hit every note he needed to. Wisdom was definitely the underlying thing he was trying to say (even it he didn't say that Chris). He has it, he has the experience to use it and no arthritis in his legs and feet (the reason, I have read for his slow walking) will stop him from doing what he can to protect and save our democracy.
Yay Joe! I’m so happy for him!
Right!!! Went armed and took names! Age what age???? If he stays this fired up...we got this. Trump who....
I didn't watch the whole speech but the watch party was a lot of fun. Thanks for hosting it, Chris!
THANK YOU!
I agree, it was fun, but I got tired and has to go to sleep. Chris you must be exhausted.
Which candidate for president is wearing the mantle of Ronald Reagan: Joe Biden or Donald Trump?
Please, no one! Saint Ronnie is not revered far and wide.
He gave amnesty to many immigrants and stood up for democracy in many countries. I realize his actions often didn’t match his rhetoric and many of his policies were abhorrent.
There are people who profess to revere him whose votes Joe Biden could use in November. Unlike Donald Trump I don’t see the value in a shrinking tent. 😊
Kevin, I've been thinking this, too. Reagan would be appalled at what has happened to his party. Biden is far closer to Reagan's ideals - especially regarding immigration and regarding America's leadership position in the world against authoritarianism - than is Trump.
I'm one of the very small number of people in the country who both (i) thinks Reagan is the greatest president of my lifetime, and (ii) thinks Trump is the worst and most dangerous president in American history. Sometimes it feels like that group is just me and Liz Cheney. ;)
I was born during Eisenhower. The jury is still out for me on greatest of my lifetime. I’ll save the decision for my deathbed confessions. Hopefully, not soon.
Trump wins worst going away. God forbid there’s worse to come while I’m still breathing.
Just a reminder of the 241 military personnel who died in the Beirut barracks bombing in 1983. Could just be my faulty memory, but I don’t remember Democrats making political hay out of it.
Great deal I respect about Reagan as well, although there were some challenging decisions which give be pause. Nevertheless, the link I shared above in response to Kevin's initial post has me rethinking my evaluation some - how Reagan felt about immigration is somewhat moving...
If you think "Amiable Dunce" Ronnie the Ray Gun was "the greatest president" of your lifetime, you must have a very different understanding of the word "great." The only reason he isn't down there with Nixon for Irangate was the Congress didn't have the nerve to do it again within 10 years. I met him in Sacramento in1974, and James Garner's two word definition, from his time in SAG leadership with Ronnie, is accurate.
Ok. I understand your point of view, and I'm not going to argue.
But you have to admit his speechwriters took a page from the Gipper on addressing the age issue: age=wisdom and experience.
Catherine Rampell from the Washington Post referenced Reagan last night as well, linking to Reagan's last speech, where he discusses his feelings about immigration - and that Biden could have quoted more from this speech - (to be clear, I had not seen this before) - worth a 3 minute read... https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/remarks-presentation-ceremony-presidential-medal-freedom-5?itid=lk_inline_manual_pubble
Thanks. Hadn’t seen that.
You are coming around. Go check out the addled and lost thoughts of Biden's challenger...
It didn't draw comment -- and maybe that's the best compliment of all -- but I thought Kamala Harris came off well, too. She looked assured, supportive, and just comfortable in her role. Plus, the speech touched on her work, too, when Biden complimented her leadership in the administration's response on reproductive freedom. A good moment.