State of the Union

The president “shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." It's right there in the Constitution. The way it is done is -- like lots of things -- flexible.

For a long time, presidents just provided a report in writing. Jefferson thought showing up and giving a speech was too monarchial. Wilson started the modern practice of showing up. The whole thing became an "event." Coolidge started the modern media bit by using the radio. 

I didn’t watch the State of the Union–I never watch politics. If anything actually happens, I can read about it later and do something more efficient with my time, which in last night’s case was having pizza and beer with a friend.

Okay, Prof. Erik Loomis, teacher of American history. I find this statement (he does have a schtick) somewhat patronizing and elitist. Politics is a basic part of government. Yes, it is tedious, messy, and full of empty looking theater. What doesn't? Are labor rallies so darn exciting most of the time?  

It is not a waste of time to sometimes check in and see how political events are going. I personally find it easier to read about things too. Listening to C-SPAN call-in shows can be darn excruciating. Debates really are tiresome. I have no desire to watch Biden and Trump debate. 

Still. The State of the Union is less than two hours long. You can check in to see how it goes. It is not the same thing as some tedious congressional hearing that has some kabuki theater quality. I think a written report along with an oral presentation would be a good idea. Presidents provide budgets and other proposals. An overall State of the Union report would be fine.

I think President Biden gave a good speech. I don't know if it was "the best he gave" or something. He did a good job last time too, including sparring with Republicans. I think these things go on too long. But, he hit the necessary points, including starting with an allusion to FDR and WWII to show the stakes of the moment. 

A major value of the speech is to remind people -- the standard b.s. aside -- is not just some decrepit old man. I doubt I could have that level of energy and volume for over an hour. Many people watch the speech. They are reminded why so many people voted for him last time. 

There were a few hiccups. Marjorie Taylor Greene (wearing a Trump hat) heckled him. He handled it well overall but tossed in a comment about "illegals." I was listening and watching the comments at LGM (Erik Loomis' blog). No one cited it. It was pretty far in. I saw some lefty on Twitter annoyed about it. The Talking Points Memo running commentary also had a "not great" comment. But, it was a passing thing.

[ETA: He apologized for not saying "undocumented." I appreciate that. The comment was in an unscripted response to a heckler. If hosts of Gay USA could stumble over proper pronouns for a nonbinary victim, it's forgivable here too. President Biden learns and corrects. It is part of why he is a credible public servant unlike some people out there.]

He stumbled over a few words. Who wouldn't in an over an hour speech energetically proclaimed, even if you didn't have a lifelong speech impediment (which I did not know about until it was referenced during the first campaign) and were over eighty? 

But, overall it was a strong and passionate speech. Speeches like this often rally the base. They overall liked it. It is often to influence the margins and media. Hopefully, that went okay too.

President Biden also still clearly loves being a politician. The speech started twenty minutes late as he mingled with the crowd on the way to the dais. He also lingered around long afterward. He was in the Senate for over forty years (counting presiding over it). Politics is in his blood.

The Republicans' job was mostly not to cheer at anything, even stuff that a normal person would support. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson uncomfortably presided with President of the Senate Kamala Harris, who got up to clap about 100x. A SNL parody -- oh I'm sorry, I'm told she's the junior senator from Alabama (the other being Tommy Tuberville) -- Republican response followed:

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) gave the Republican rebuttal to the State of the Union address. Sitting in a kitchen rather than in a setting that reflected her position in one of the nation’s highest elected offices, Britt conspicuously wore a necklace with a cross and spoke in a breathy, childlike voice as she wavered between smiles and the suggestion she was on the verge of tears. 

(I posted the final version of this Saturday but it was timed for the actual SOTU. Also, this TikTok of what looks like a blatant lie is good reporting. Kudos to those who do the work here.) 

Yes, the SOTU is theater. So what? Government is regularly theater. Marriage ceremonies are theater. Theater is part of life. President Biden took the opportunity and did a good job. Four more years!