As the country is divided and Americans question whether the United States is capable of upholding the values that have defined it for more than 80 years since Roosevelt’s war, the nation’s role in the world and even more Even essential freedom is called into question. . Mr. Biden had to advance the case not only because of his own record and plans, but also because of a worldview based on American strength and optimism. With remarkable energy, his prepared remarks included his 80 exclamation points, but he almost succeeded.
Biden’s speech began with a stirring call for America to do its best. He said his “predecessor”, former President Donald Trump, “kowtowed to the Russian leader” when he told President Vladimir Putin to “do whatever you want.” What is Biden’s message to Putin? “We will not bow down. We will not bow down.” The president implored Congress to honor America’s commitments to Ukraine and support Ukraine’s fight against authoritarianism on the borders of the free world. He argued that without it, the threat would not subside.
Biden also addressed threats to freedom and democracy in the country, starting with the Jan. 6, 2021, riots, saying, “You can’t love your country only when it wins.” These same ideals, he explained, underlie the fight for reproductive rights, especially after an Alabama court ruled that frozen embryos are children.
Parts of the speech sounded like a long list of State of the Union accomplishments and proposals. And, as always, this was a mixed bag. The president touted the robust economy, with “15 million new jobs” and “the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years.” He is right that the recovery has been underestimated. But his enthusiasm for “Buy American” policies and high industrial subsidies could end up wasting a lot of money.
There was a similar story about taxation and spending. The subsidies that helped the Affordable Care Act reach new heights of success should continue. The child tax credit, which temporarily reduced child poverty, should be reinstated.corporate minimum tax should That’s higher than the current 15 percent. But it is wrong for the president to brag about the current budget deficit and deny even modest reforms to Social Security and other entitlements that need to be on the table to prevent future debt crises.
Other proposals in the speech, while laudable, were scattered and perfunctory. Tackle the climate crisis. crack down on crime. Eliminate junk fees and ban AI voice spoofing.
But the immigration debate brought Mr. Biden back to the big picture: the different paths this country could take. The president criticized Republicans for blocking a bipartisan border deal and stressed the importance of limiting the ways immigrants can take advantage of the system. Still, he tempered calls for border security by discussing how his own stance on border security differs from that of his predecessor. “I will not demonize immigrants by saying they are poison to our blood,” he vowed.
Mr. Biden also deftly pointed out the war between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing Hamas’ right to self-defense and its obligation to protect the human rights of civilians living in Gaza. His plan to provide temporary ports and piers on the Gaza Strip’s coastline and provide humanitarian aid to millions of residents, 20 of whom are already starving to death, is wise. And that, along with attempts to strike a six-week ceasefire, convince skeptics that he cares about the plight of the Palestinians, when hundreds of people blocked the route of his convoy on Thursday. It might be helpful.
But what was most striking about the president’s speech was the core values of “honesty, decency, dignity, and equality,” underpinned by Trump’s replacement with “resentment, revenge, and retribution.” It was how he explained his vision of American greatness. Hawks at every rally. This contrast in worldviews is the most important difference between the two options Americans will choose to vote in November. The usual mix of legislative demands and executive actions punctuated the story. Biden’s challenge now is to keep telling that story.