An excellent summary, Joyce. I had been worried about his speech tonight, but he handled it masterfully. I really hope the media SHOUTS and ROARS about how wonderful Biden was. This has been part of the problem. Trump sucks the air out of the media, and there's little attention given to President Biden. Let's hope that changes from this point forward. ~Donna
Feb 8, 2023·edited Feb 8, 2023Liked by Joyce Vance
I'd just like to underscore that moment regarding Social Security and Medicare..As you characterized it, it was brilliant political acumen to get the GOP's support for the safety of these programs on live national television..
Right, Sam, and it was telling that when the cameras panned the audience, they identified those miscreants who refused to stand even for this affirmation of M, M, and SS. They will be remembered and scorned by constituents who are seniors, will become seniors, know seniors in family or neighborhood, and all voters.
Only if the videos of last night from that chamber are spread all around the country and talked about and shown to the American people over and over again..
What President Biden's speech exquisitely encapsulated tonight is that when you are what you believe and what you do, your words are inescapably authentic and incontestably powerful.
Once I heard Joe Biden speak in person at the college I attended, in 1980. I remember being impressed at how he related to the audience then. That capacity to reach out and connect hasn't changed. He doesn't need to be a "great orator". He's best when he is speaking as if he's sitting next to you in a personal conversation. You'll notice that when referring to the opposition party, he repeatedly used the term "my Republican friends". 4 decades in the Senate and another 10 in the White House have given him skills on the front lines of politics unmatched by almost any of his congressional peers. I'm pretty sure he's best when the cameras and mikes are somewhere else, rubbing elbows and appealing to the better nature of those who oppose his proposals and reject collaboration and compromise. He has the ability to avoid treating his opponents as the enemy, more like skeptical and still-unconverted potential allies. We needed a real politician to begin healing the raw wounds left by the former president and that's who we elected. Thank God he decided to run. the next generation of Democrats so anxious to assume the mantle can still learn a few things and become more seasoned in their current positions for a while yet.
Joe absolutely hit it out of the park tonight. I was so happy and so proud. Your summary hit it out of the park too. But there is no summary that could do justice to the impact of this speech. Any Biden fans who missed the speech should absolutely take the hour and 20 minutes to watch it on You Tube. Trust me you’ll be glad you did. I haven’t felt so happy since November 7, 2020.
What a fine and accurate review of President Biden’s speech. All by yourself you outdid the cable commentary. Superb speech planning/writing and a rock star delivery by President Biden. Cleverly put together and powerfully delivered with punch by an 80 year old. That’s all it took to get the insurrectionist-loving members to lose their minds and remind the country whose side they were on Jan. 6. Didn’t take much for them to sound like insurrectionists.
Well said Joyce, well said..Now we must see Democrats craft this speech into messaging and stump it from now until Nov. '24..The working people of this country particularly in the red states must hear this message loud and clear..They must be shown that their representatives voted "NO" on many of the things that are making their lives better..In other words, they need to hear the truth..
Perhaps this is where "We The People" can make a difference..By calling, writing, emailing, Tweeting, Post Newsing..whatever..If we make it our mission to reach out to as many of our Fed, State and Local Democrats as possible and hold their hands long enough for them to get it..they just might..Tomorrow I am going to start with my newly minted Mayor, Karen Bass..I believe she has some juice with Congressional Dems..
I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of tonight’s speech by the President. How refreshing to hear his energy and positive outlook on our country’s future. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to feel that way.
It was Biden’s confidence I appreciated the most. He has worked so hard for the American people and has always seen us as his main objective. What else could we ask for.
Absolutely excellent comments, Joyce! Biden really did the job tonight. I'm still so proud I voted for him and plan to do so again! With all that's gone on in our Country and by our citizens, the good and the bad, his experience has brought us this far! Polls haven't meant anything since2016. Let Joe be Joe and finish the job of cleaning up America and solidifying our recovered standing on the world stage! Let USA once again be a proud phrase for us and a respected phrase for our allies!!!
The President knock it out of the park tonight! I have been waiting for this teaching moment. Definitely entertaining. Kinda fun.
While other strange things occurred: Sinema in her yellow wings. MTG in her Cruella DeVille outfit.
Kinda fun until Sarah Huckabee-Sanders showed up with her Total Mega ‘woke left wing’ comments … I had anticipated a newer Republican hopeful, not the regurgitation of a dying ideology or talking points sounding like the Orange Menace. The point being more fancy blaming rather then substantive policy options.
It was like she actually did not listen to Biden’s speech.
I too was confused. It could well have been George Santos, looking to repeat as Best Dressed Congressperson at the State of the Union for the twenty-third year in a row.
And yet, I never heard her say tfg name. Unreal. I spent 6 years living in AR. I cannot say how very grateful I am to not be there for this governor’s back to the future BS.
I forced myself to listen to Huckabee and fell asleep during her dreadful, dark speech. What on earth she is doing as governor only speaks of elections having consequences.
Sanders was Trump's press secretary until she quit to "spend time with her family, blah blah" and then she was elected governor of Arkansas last November. She had a terrible reputation as a liar and a shill for Trump, who endorsed her in her campaign for governor. A far right evangelical, she is pure MAGA. I'm sure Trump pushed behind the scenes to get the RNC to give her the job to deliver the gibbering nonsense she spewed last night.
I can't stop smiling! He spoke eloquently, with humor, grace, never lost his cool (I love that you included the photo of him in his Ray Bans!) and by talking up bi-partisan efforts he seemed to coax the Republicans to lean into the punch, except they were the ones trying to throw a punch! He just danced around them and worked it to his/our advantage. Beautiful! You said all of this better than I can, but his skill at managing his opponents was something to behold. Plus!!! All of the great points he made. I'm so glad he included the Nichols family in the way that he did. I'm feeling more hopeful about healing as a nation than I have in a long while. Wow.
What really happened tonight was Americans had the chance to view a superb performance by President Biden who used his 37years of experience wisely.
Yes. Exactly this.
I was wowed by Biden’s speech and very proud. At long last a State of the Union for the history books 🇺🇸
An excellent summary, Joyce. I had been worried about his speech tonight, but he handled it masterfully. I really hope the media SHOUTS and ROARS about how wonderful Biden was. This has been part of the problem. Trump sucks the air out of the media, and there's little attention given to President Biden. Let's hope that changes from this point forward. ~Donna
Well said, totally agree with your comments
So far I'm seeing plenty of media nitpicking and focusing on Republican misbehavior. It's infuriating.
Infotainment.
Mrs. Nichols summed up the speech in her comment about her lovely son, “something good will come of this.” Wow, what a woman!
And, “something good will come of this.” speech by the lovely human Joe Biden.
I loved the fish Joe tossed the seals who haven't learned how to perform yet. An occasional fish will help train most animals.
Well done. Loved your 'fish' analogy!
I second that motion. Might you mind if I use this line
👍
lol
I'd just like to underscore that moment regarding Social Security and Medicare..As you characterized it, it was brilliant political acumen to get the GOP's support for the safety of these programs on live national television..
Biden hit it out of the park 🎉 He was calm, collected, poised, focused but most of all sincere and captured our hearts.
Right, Sam, and it was telling that when the cameras panned the audience, they identified those miscreants who refused to stand even for this affirmation of M, M, and SS. They will be remembered and scorned by constituents who are seniors, will become seniors, know seniors in family or neighborhood, and all voters.
Only if the videos of last night from that chamber are spread all around the country and talked about and shown to the American people over and over again..
What President Biden's speech exquisitely encapsulated tonight is that when you are what you believe and what you do, your words are inescapably authentic and incontestably powerful.
Yes!
Once I heard Joe Biden speak in person at the college I attended, in 1980. I remember being impressed at how he related to the audience then. That capacity to reach out and connect hasn't changed. He doesn't need to be a "great orator". He's best when he is speaking as if he's sitting next to you in a personal conversation. You'll notice that when referring to the opposition party, he repeatedly used the term "my Republican friends". 4 decades in the Senate and another 10 in the White House have given him skills on the front lines of politics unmatched by almost any of his congressional peers. I'm pretty sure he's best when the cameras and mikes are somewhere else, rubbing elbows and appealing to the better nature of those who oppose his proposals and reject collaboration and compromise. He has the ability to avoid treating his opponents as the enemy, more like skeptical and still-unconverted potential allies. We needed a real politician to begin healing the raw wounds left by the former president and that's who we elected. Thank God he decided to run. the next generation of Democrats so anxious to assume the mantle can still learn a few things and become more seasoned in their current positions for a while yet.
Great comments Nathan, I could not agree more. Lucky you! You were able to hear President Biden in person.
Joe absolutely hit it out of the park tonight. I was so happy and so proud. Your summary hit it out of the park too. But there is no summary that could do justice to the impact of this speech. Any Biden fans who missed the speech should absolutely take the hour and 20 minutes to watch it on You Tube. Trust me you’ll be glad you did. I haven’t felt so happy since November 7, 2020.
What a fine and accurate review of President Biden’s speech. All by yourself you outdid the cable commentary. Superb speech planning/writing and a rock star delivery by President Biden. Cleverly put together and powerfully delivered with punch by an 80 year old. That’s all it took to get the insurrectionist-loving members to lose their minds and remind the country whose side they were on Jan. 6. Didn’t take much for them to sound like insurrectionists.
Well said Joyce, well said..Now we must see Democrats craft this speech into messaging and stump it from now until Nov. '24..The working people of this country particularly in the red states must hear this message loud and clear..They must be shown that their representatives voted "NO" on many of the things that are making their lives better..In other words, they need to hear the truth..
Yes. Messaging is something of a perennial issue for Democrats. I hope they'll be able to run with the energy from tonight.
Perhaps this is where "We The People" can make a difference..By calling, writing, emailing, Tweeting, Post Newsing..whatever..If we make it our mission to reach out to as many of our Fed, State and Local Democrats as possible and hold their hands long enough for them to get it..they just might..Tomorrow I am going to start with my newly minted Mayor, Karen Bass..I believe she has some juice with Congressional Dems..
Yes, vitally important!
What can be done to help the messaging??
Hear ye hear ye 😇
I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of tonight’s speech by the President. How refreshing to hear his energy and positive outlook on our country’s future. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to feel that way.
It was Biden’s confidence I appreciated the most. He has worked so hard for the American people and has always seen us as his main objective. What else could we ask for.
Perfect blend of Folksy Joe and Dark Brandon.
Absolutely excellent comments, Joyce! Biden really did the job tonight. I'm still so proud I voted for him and plan to do so again! With all that's gone on in our Country and by our citizens, the good and the bad, his experience has brought us this far! Polls haven't meant anything since2016. Let Joe be Joe and finish the job of cleaning up America and solidifying our recovered standing on the world stage! Let USA once again be a proud phrase for us and a respected phrase for our allies!!!
I just gotta say … not sophisticate … however
The President knock it out of the park tonight! I have been waiting for this teaching moment. Definitely entertaining. Kinda fun.
While other strange things occurred: Sinema in her yellow wings. MTG in her Cruella DeVille outfit.
Kinda fun until Sarah Huckabee-Sanders showed up with her Total Mega ‘woke left wing’ comments … I had anticipated a newer Republican hopeful, not the regurgitation of a dying ideology or talking points sounding like the Orange Menace. The point being more fancy blaming rather then substantive policy options.
It was like she actually did not listen to Biden’s speech.
I don’t think Huckabee listened. Just delivered what she thought her superiors expected to hear.
Thanks for identifying Sinema, I did not know who was wearing that ridiculous outfit.
Sure seemed that way!
Think she was trying to get some attention? She looked like a Sulphur Butterfly half way through metamorphosis!🤣😂
Not even that. I raise butterflies and the whole process of metamorphosis is a beautiful thing.
😂
I too was confused. It could well have been George Santos, looking to repeat as Best Dressed Congressperson at the State of the Union for the twenty-third year in a row.
Now that is funny 😄
Does anyone else find it interesting that the 80 year old president gave his speech standing while the 40 year old governor gave hers sitting?
👍👍👍
And yet, I never heard her say tfg name. Unreal. I spent 6 years living in AR. I cannot say how very grateful I am to not be there for this governor’s back to the future BS.
Yeah, I have a good friend in Fayetteville. So sorry for her and her children and her church family. 😢 But they are strong!
She probably did not listen. She has been a professional lier for so long she knows not the truth.
I forced myself to listen to Huckabee and fell asleep during her dreadful, dark speech. What on earth she is doing as governor only speaks of elections having consequences.
Sanders was Trump's press secretary until she quit to "spend time with her family, blah blah" and then she was elected governor of Arkansas last November. She had a terrible reputation as a liar and a shill for Trump, who endorsed her in her campaign for governor. A far right evangelical, she is pure MAGA. I'm sure Trump pushed behind the scenes to get the RNC to give her the job to deliver the gibbering nonsense she spewed last night.
Her remarks were prepared weeks before the SOU.
😃😃😃😃😃✅
I can't stop smiling! He spoke eloquently, with humor, grace, never lost his cool (I love that you included the photo of him in his Ray Bans!) and by talking up bi-partisan efforts he seemed to coax the Republicans to lean into the punch, except they were the ones trying to throw a punch! He just danced around them and worked it to his/our advantage. Beautiful! You said all of this better than I can, but his skill at managing his opponents was something to behold. Plus!!! All of the great points he made. I'm so glad he included the Nichols family in the way that he did. I'm feeling more hopeful about healing as a nation than I have in a long while. Wow.
I loved the photo, too! And I agree totally with you, Deb!
Agree w your assessment, Joyce. It was a masterful job by a man whom I have underestimated.
I have never underestimated President Biden.
Excellent recap of President Biden’s speech! And I feel good about what he said. Thank you for your observations and explanations!🐼❤️