OPINION: A strong night for Biden. Is this a preview for 2024?
Photo by whitehouse.gov
Mark Harris is a first-year student at Ohio University and an opinion writer at The New Political.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.
The State of the union is up for debate, but that's not the real story of Biden's Tuesday night address. It was Biden's night. He may as well let it serve as the kickoff to a Biden 2024 campaign.
His polling numbers are down, and his age is always in the back of many people's minds. However, on Tuesday night, Biden seemed more alive than ever, making jokes that made sense most of the time, promoting his accomplishments and using the bully pulpit. He even got the Republicans to stand up in solidarity to protect Social Security. Marjorie Taylor Greene had her little outburst, but that matters very little.
The president's State of the Union address was an amazing display of sensing the direction of the national political winds. He spoke at length about jobs, infrastructure and the economy, including a few shout-outs to Ohio. Biden also addressed dinner table issues important to those on the left and right, including fraud, fentanyl, antitrust, inflation and American-produced products. He proved that he had some idea of what most Americans care about. The Social Security issue is a big worry for people considering retirement and those already retired. Vowing to protect their interests seems only fitting for the oldest person to ever give the State of the Union address.
All in all, he held his own and made a decent case for reelection. I expect to hear an announcement soon. 2024 will likely be a rematch of the 2020 election, with former President Donald Trump starting his official campaign. If President Biden can stay focused on the topics of his address and maintain the energy level of Tuesday night, it will be an easy win assuming Trump is his opponent.
“President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.” Photo by Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via Reuters
However, I am left with several questions. Where was this Biden when Democrats held both houses of Congress? The record of achievement for the last Congress was nothing to scoff at, but it doesn't live up to the dream he set forth last year.
It would be best to consider what political calculus this changes. If the Republican House is still hell-bent on dealing with the deficit, but Social Security and Medicare are safe, what's left on the chopping block? Will Biden's own party get on board with going after big tech and big pharma? Will the economy get better?
At the end of the day, it's just a speech. What matters is if real reform is passed into law and enforced fairly. Actions, in all things and undoubtedly in politics, speak louder than words. I have hope in the American experiment, even though I don't hold much faith in either of the two major parties. So, I will just be happy that real issues are reaching the national stage. Isn't admitting that the problem exists the first step to fixing it?