Biden's Address: The Key Message That Will Shape America's Future

In his primetime speech from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden faced the challenge of justifying why a nation, exhausted by its own international entanglements and domestic divisions, should provide $100 billion in assistance to support other countries in their conflicts. He emphasized that Israel and Ukraine were engaged in battles that were not solely their own, but rather held immense significance for the security of every American listening.

But the most profound takeaway from only his second address in the Oval Office was this: While Biden had scheduled the appearance to discuss two nations fighting for their survival against external attacks, his main focus was on America itself - specifically, the perceived threats to its fundamental values in a politically volatile era.

He urged his country to acknowledge the global role it has played in establishing a stable world order since World War II, and to reject any inclination to appease terrorists and dictators. Furthermore, his remarks hinted at a future reelection campaign that will shape the identity of America and its position in the world for years to come. He aimed to motivate the nation to reject intolerance as divisive politics continue to prevail domestically.

In a prime-time address from the Oval Office, U.S. President Joe Biden shares his strategies concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and ongoing support for Ukraine in their conflict with Russia. The address takes place in the White House in Washington, U.S. on October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Biden makes the case for wartime aid to Israel and Ukraine in primetime address

Biden delivered his speech shortly after returning from Israel and meeting the victims of the Hamas terrorist attacks, which claimed the lives of over 1,400 civilians. This comes months after his courageous visit to Ukraine, another conflict-ridden region. As Biden spoke, there were already indications of an imminent Israeli incursion into Gaza, implying that the crisis he aimed to contain with his trip on Wednesday is on the brink of escalating further.

"I understand that these conflicts may appear distant, and it's natural to question why they matter to America," Biden expressed. "Allow me to explain why it is crucial for the national security of the United States to ensure the success of Israel and Ukraine."

The president urged Americans to grasp the dire consequences if Hamas's "pure unadulterated evil" and Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to undermine Ukraine's independence were successful. He emphasized the potential resurgence of terrorism from the Middle East and the destabilization of global peace by Russia. Historians are likely to view Biden's address as a defining moment in his presidency due to the messages he conveyed to both American allies and adversaries abroad, as well as his vision for a deeply divided nation.

Biden spoke as political chaos raged in Washington

Bidens words were not spoken in isolation. They were expressed in the context of an upcoming election where he is expected to confront former President Donald Trump. In 2024, much like in the previous two elections, the nation will likely be faced with the choice between Biden's internationalism and conventional statesmanship, in line with his recent predecessors excluding Trump, and the "America First" nationalism of the "Make America Great Again" movement. This movement disregards foreign alliances and rejects the traditional US role in global leadership. Pro-Trump Republicans do not object to defending Israel, partly due to the support it receives from evangelical voters. However, they would leave Ukraine vulnerable to despotic rulers.

Biden is attempting to comprehend bewildering and alarming developments abroad, evaluating the peril and proposing a way ahead that aligns with American leadership, values, and its role as the world's "indispensable nation." He is requesting Congress to authorize $100 billion to aid Israel and Ukraine in defending themselves—an endeavor currently hindered by the absence of a House speaker and the chaotic state of the narrow GOP majority.

On October 18, 2023, at the Capitol in Washington, Republican Representatives Jim Jordan of Ohio and Kevin McCarthy of California engage in discussions with fellow colleagues in their efforts to elect Jordan as the prospective House speaker.

Jordan is determined to continue his bid for the position of speaker amidst escalating tensions within the GOP meeting. Meanwhile, Trump finds solace in the state of global disorder, pledging to reinstate authoritative leadership and asserting that he alone can ensure the safety of Americans. The former president cautions that Biden runs the risk of provoking a global conflict leading to World War III and hints at a willingness to forge a compromise with Putin, instead of defending the democratic principles of Ukraine.

Immediately following Bidens speech, Trump's campaign released a video highlighting the tumultuous US withdrawal from Afghanistan, criticizing US aid for Ukraine, and emphasizing the recent attack in Israel. The video concluded with a caption that described Joe Biden as foolish, incompetent, and weak.

The initial statement made by Biden in his address, regarding the world being at an "inflection point," is substantiated by ongoing events that could potentially support Trump's self-centered beliefs. This week, a united front against US power became evident as Putin traveled to Beijing for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited North Korea, and Israel faced the aftermath of attacks by Hamas, a group supported by Iran through funding and weaponry.

The ex-president, aiming to alter the fabric of America, has pledged to reinstate his ban on Muslim immigration from select nations if he regains the presidency. This action has been criticized by his opponents as an infringement upon the constitutionally protected religious tolerance that President Biden argues is an essential characteristic of the American identity. Following the tragic and fatal stabbing of a six-year-old American boy of Palestinian descent in Chicago, President Biden issued a warning, stating, "Here in America, let us never forget our true identity. We, as a great nation, reject all forms of hate, including those aimed at Muslims, Jews, or anyone else."

Bidens immediate political problem

Biden, despite grounding his argument in lofty appeals to America's purpose, faces a complex political dilemma. The support for sustaining Ukraine's multi-billion dollar lifeline, which he aims to supplement with an additional $60 billion, is diminishing in a nation still grappling with the lingering aftermath of the pandemic, surging inflation, and the crippling effects of high interest rates. Republicans are increasingly opposed to providing military assistance to Ukraine, a stance that endangers Kyiv's ability to continue resisting Putin.

Although there is widespread bipartisan agreement on the importance of sending essential aid to Israel ahead of its expected offensive against Hamas in Gaza, Congress is immobilized. The disintegration of the Republican House majority offers a glimpse into what a potential complete resurgence of power by the MAGA forces in Washington could entail.

The GOP's failure to reach an agreement on a new speaker, following the removal of Kevin McCarthy over two weeks ago, is not only raising concern about crucial US aid for Israel and Ukraine. It is also sending a message of dysfunction and internal weakness to rivals such as Russia, China, and Iran, who aim to challenge the US-led international order and undermine American power.

President Biden's decision to combine aid requests for Israel and Ukraine is going to spark a fierce political battle in Washington. Additionally, his argument that both countries are US allies engaged in a similar struggle for survival and democratic values is expected to generate controversy. The president has stated that his emergency budget request aims to "fund America's national security" by providing support to "critical partners, including Israel and Ukraine." Furthermore, the administration has informed lawmakers about its plans to seek $14 billion for border security in the upcoming funding package, as reported by CNN's Priscilla Alvarez on Thursday.

Biden is encountering resistance from Republicans, particularly in the House, who are willing to financially support Israel's struggle against Hamas but do not view Ukraine as a crucial interest for the United States. While there is a majority in the Senate GOP in favor of aiding Ukraine, Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance, representing the views of the pro-Trump faction, expressed his disagreement with the president's stance on the war in a social media post after his address. Vance wrote on X, "What Biden is doing is disgusting. He's using the deaths of children in Israel to promote his disastrous Ukraine policy to skeptical Americans. Ukraine and Israel are fundamentally different countries facing different problems, and this attempt to exploit Israel for political purposes is offensive. Absolutely not."

Opinion polls reveal that the American public does not necessarily agree with Biden's perspective that the threats to Ukraine and Israel are equivalent. In an August survey conducted by CNN/SSRS, 55% of respondents stated that Congress should not authorize additional funding to support Ukraine. However, immediately following the Hamas attacks in Israel, a CBS/YouGov poll found that 76% of Americans believed the US should provide humanitarian assistance to Israel, with approximately half supporting the provision of weapons and supplies.

Biden's address in the Oval Office, featuring the traditional US and presidential flags, felt reminiscent of a bygone era when presidents would interrupt primetime on a limited number of TV channels during times of national crisis. In today's age of TikTok and a fragmented, partisan media landscape dominated by conspiracy theories, the notion of a commander in chief uniting the nation seems outdated.

Similar to many of Biden's speeches, this particular one may have appeared strong on paper but did not translate well as a political spectacle. While his arguments could be compared to those made by past presidents in their classic statements, his address lacked the inspiring rhythm exemplified by President John F. Kennedy's pledge to be willing to "pay any price, bear any burden" for the preservation of liberty worldwide. Biden's frequent verbal slips, persistent cough, and eyes narrowed by age detracted from delivering a stirring appeal, and will undoubtedly add fuel to the debate regarding his ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a potential second term, which would commence when he reaches the age of 82.

Bidens journeys to the bully pulpit, much like President Harry S. Truman, are notable for their directness rather than their linguistic charm. Nevertheless, it is evident that the president is sharing his thoughts with the nation during a time of significant danger.

Only time will reveal whether a considerable number of Americans are willing to lend an ear to a president whose approval ratings are low, reflecting the difficulties he has faced in fulfilling his 2020 commitment to reinstate normalcy and global steadiness.