Key Points from Joe Biden’s State of the Union Speech

President Joe Biden is giving his third State of the Union speech. This speech is crucial as he focuses on his reelection campaign.

He has many goals for this address. These include highlighting his achievements, discussing his plans for a second term, addressing worries about his age and health, and showing the differences between himself and the Republicans, especially his opponent Donald Trump.

Here are some early takeaways from Biden’s annual message to Congress, which will be updated throughout the speech:

Biden takes on Trump in most political State of the Union in years

Biden didn't mention Trump by name during his speech, but it was clear that Trump was a major focus of the State of the Union address. This made Thursday's speech one of the most politically charged in recent years.

Throughout his speech, the president made several criticisms of Trump, referring to him as "my predecessor" 13 times. This highlighted one of the benefits of being the current president.

In the beginning of his speech, he criticized his predecessor for suggesting that Russia invade NATO members who don't meet defense spending targets. Shortly after, he expressed his concern about election lies after the 2020 election, calling it the most serious threat to democracy since the Civil War.

Biden addressed the 2021 attack on the US Capitol, criticizing his predecessor and some individuals for trying to hide the truth. He emphasized the importance of loving your country regardless of the outcome.

This shows Biden's perspective on the upcoming general election, highlighting the crucial role of American democracy. As he showcases his achievements, he also stresses the potential consequences of a Trump presidency.

Biden gives an unexpected, spontaneous speech

State of the Union speeches are usually formal and predictable, with a set list of policies and ideas. However, this was not the case on Thursday when Biden went off script multiple times to add in improvised lines and engage in discussions with Republicans.

The State of the Union address this year was livelier than in previous years, with the House chamber filled with excitement for the upcoming elections.

During his speech, President Biden engaged in friendly debates with Republicans on topics such as taxes, Social Security, and immigration. These exchanges seemed to energize the president, who incorporated them into his speech following a memorable interaction with Republicans during last year's address.

Biden's recent interactions with Republicans provided him with opportunities to demonstrate his willingness to engage with them while also challenging some of their viewpoints.

During an interruption by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who raised the case of nursing student Laken Riley's murder by an undocumented immigrant, Biden responded by directly addressing the issue. He picked up one of the pins distributed by the Georgia Republican, which read "Say Her Name: Laken Riley," and used the term "illegal," a departure from the usual Democratic description of immigrants.

The president emphasizes the importance of American leadership on the global stage in his State of the Union address. Foreign policy is usually not the main focus during these speeches, as the audience is primarily Congress and the American people who are more concerned about domestic issues.

Biden finds himself dealing with foreign policy challenges amidst global tensions. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war raises questions about American assistance, while Israel's conflict with Hamas has created a humanitarian crisis that is causing divisions within Biden's political coalition.

As a result, foreign affairs have taken up a significant portion of Biden's focus, even though it may not always be the top concern for voters. This was evident in the early part of his speech.

Even before arriving at the Capitol, protests along his motorcade route indicated widespread discontent over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

During his speech, Biden emphasized the importance of providing more humanitarian aid to Gaza. He also revealed plans to have the US military build a temporary port in Gaza to increase the flow of food, water, and medicine into the area.

The current president is working on reshaping and resetting the narrative for the 2024 election. Biden's main goal in his speech on Thursday was to remind American voters, who may have lost interest in the past three years, about his accomplishments.

Polls indicate that many voters remain dissatisfied with the direction the country is taking, despite the economy showing signs of recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic. Surveys have revealed that a significant number of Americans are unaware of the accomplishments achieved by President Biden in reviving the economy.

This is one reason why President Biden mentioned "the greatest comeback story never told" in his speech. This statement serves as a response to what he perceives as consistently negative media coverage and also acknowledges that he needs to do a better job of communicating his agenda to the general public.

Biden's team recognizes the need for balance, understanding that Americans with valid economic concerns may not want to hear about positive indicators they aren't experiencing themselves. This is why Biden has chosen to emphasize populist themes such as increasing tax rates for the wealthy and corporations, as well as reducing the cost of prescription medication. Democrats are optimistic that these priorities will resonate with the public.

Democrats also believe that expressing outrage towards corporate greed and price gouging will resonate with voters, especially with ongoing worries about the rising cost of living affecting Biden's popularity. Additionally, Biden remains dynamic and assertive despite worries about his age.

Questions about Biden’s age and fitness for office have become a key focus of the presidential campaign, with many Democrats expressing a preference for a different candidate. During his State of the Union address, it was inevitable that Biden would address this issue. Apart from the content of his speech, how he presented himself and his physical appearance while speaking would play a significant role in how his message was received by the American public.

The president delivered a passionate speech that was a departure from his usual more reserved style, which had worried his supporters.

Biden dedicated much of the past week to perfecting and practicing his speech, putting in the effort at both the White House and Camp David. This preparation seemed to have paid off during his strong delivery on Thursday evening.

Aides recognized before the speech that it was a concern for voters and that the president was ready to talk about it, even though he didn't want to focus on it too much during his speech.

During his speech, he made the point that Trump is around the same age as him, but has a backward and revengeful mindset, in an effort to address the issue and shift the focus onto his opponent.

Biden shared that his lifetime has shown him the importance of embracing freedom and democracy, along with the core values that define America: honesty, decency, dignity, and equality. He emphasized the need to respect everyone, provide equal opportunities, and not tolerate hate. He also pointed out that some individuals of his age may have a different perspective, seeing America through a lens of resentment, revenge, and retribution, which he does not identify with.

As the campaign progresses, it is expected that arguments will continue to play a significant role in shaping the narrative.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

Editor's P/S:

President Biden's third State of the Union address was a powerful display of leadership and determination. He outlined his vision for America's future, focusing on issues such as economic recovery, healthcare, education, and climate change. He also addressed concerns about his age and health, emphasizing his commitment to serving