Your questions, answered

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Happy Friday!

We made it!

This week, for me, felt like the official kickoff of the 2024 general election.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden dominated on Super Tuesday.

Nikki Haley (and, yes, Dean Phillips) got out of the race on Wednesday.

And on Thursday, Biden delivered his State of the Union speech — a deeply political address that framed the way that he plans to run for reelection.

What does it all mean? That this is going to be one of the longest general election races in history. (The November 5 election is still 242 days away!)

To get through it — and to best understand what’s going on and why — you need a trusted guide. I want to be that guide!

But, to be candid, I can’t do it without you investing in me. Right now a subscription to this newsletter is only $5 a month or $50 for the year. (Or, if you are feeling generous and want to be a “founding member,” $240.)

That price will be going up in the near future. But, if you become a member now, you will ALWAYS only pay $5 a month or $50 for the year. I really hope you make the decision to subscribe today.

Speaking of paid subscribers, this weekly mailbag post is just one of the many perks you get for being one!

So, let’s get to the questions! (Soundtrack for today’s Mailbag: “Paul’s Boutique” by the Beastie Boys.)

Q: I couldn’t watch the SOTU. What was Biden’s best line and what were his strongest arguments for his case for re-election, besides defeating Trump, which I’m sure came up a few times?

A: Interestingly, Biden never mentioned Trump by name — but, yes, there were a LOT of contrasts drawn with the former president.

To my mind, Biden’s best line came toward the end of the speech when he was talking about his age. It was this (and sorry it’s a little long):

My fellow Americans, the issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old are our ideas.

Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back.

To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done. Tonight you’ve heard mine.

Very smart. Frame the whole debate over age as less about a number or a date on the calendar and more about the ideas that each man espouses — and what direction they would lead the country.

I also thought Biden’s focus on abortion and the recent IVF ruling in Alabama— this came very early on in the speech — was quite good. That is a MAJOR weak spot for Republicans (as you can tell by their collective scramble to run away from the IVF decision). Biden was very smart to put in in the beginning of the speech — when the most people are watching.

Also, if you DO want to watch the entire speech — with commentary along the way from me — you can do it here:

Q: I thought the senator from Alabama, Katie Britt’s speech, was low-grade hysterical.

Is that the future of the Republican Party ?

What did/do you think ?

A: It was, um, not great. She looked and sounded like she was at an acting tryout. For a really bad movie. LOTS on weird enunciation and emphasis.

If it was a tryout for VP — and I think it was — my guess is that Donald Trump was not terribly impressed. And remember: He cares a TON about how his potential VP picks present on TV. Not a good night for Senator Britt.