Feb.08

electoral-vote.com

Dem 51

   

GOP 49

State of the Union Takeaways

The State of the Union is important enough, and is early enough in the evening, that all the major outlets already have takeaways. Note that we deliberately do not look at these pieces until we've written our own assessment. So, if we're a near-duplicate of one or more of them, or if we seem to have watched an entirely different speech, now you know why. Anyhow, here they are:

CNN:

• Biden spars with sometimes-unruly Republicans
• Showing vigor
• Vintage Biden
• China focus
• Republicans look to 'new generation'

The New York Times:

• His performance could help address doubts about his vigor as a 2024 campaigner
• He defined his rationale for a second term
• He scaled back his agenda for an era of divided government
• He emphasized threats to democracy at home and abroad
• The president talked up the economy, with a big focus on blue-collar workers
• He baited Republicans on Social Security and Medicare
• Biden made a forceful call for police accountability

BBC News:

• It was America first, foreign policy last
• 'Finish the job' on economy
• Biden tried to play nice with Republicans
• He also picked a fight (and got heckled)
• Invited guests provided emotional moments

The Hill:

• Pitched battle between Biden and GOP
• A raucous chamber
• High emotion over Tyre Nichols
• Biden snares GOP in a trap on Medicare and Social Security
• Giving GOP response, Sarah Huckabee Sanders hits hot-button issues

ABC News:

• A victory lap, but pleas for cooperation
• Still, heckles throughout
• Pushing for his agenda in the new Congress -- and new election cycle
• Biden keeps up uphill climb on policing reform
• In response, Sarah Sanders focuses on social issues and Democratic 'failures'

NBC News:

• Bragging about his first two years
• Populist re-election themes
• Needling Republicans
• 'Liar!' GOP jeer Bidens

The Washington Post:

• A bipartisan theme, with some tough words sprinkled in
• A preview of 2024 messaging
• A jeer-filled affair

Reuters:

• Biden, Republicans spar
• Jeers, then an ovation
• Attack on big companies
• 'Crotchety' or 'metaphysical'

The central themes would seem to be: Biden looked pretty good for an old fella, the give-and-take with Republicans, and setting the stage for the 2024 campaign. It would appear that we did indeed watch the same speech.

We'd like to give you some takeaways from right-wing outlets, but other than the paywalled Wall Street Journal, we couldn't come up with any. The Foxes of the world just don't do those very often, and certainly not for speeches by prominent Democrats. (Z)