How Biden can make his State of the Union the most important in decades

The State of the Union address is the only speech by the president required by the Constitution.George Washington and John Adams at the beginning personally delivered Their speech in Congress. However, Thomas Jefferson thought that face-to-face speeches were too dignified, so he began the following practice: give address in writing.

Woodrow Wilson resumed practice in 1913 About appearing in parliament and giving a speech.Lyndon B. Johnson broke the precedent By moving the State of the Union address from noon to prime-time television. And in 1982, President Ronald Reagan began inviting guests. They sat with the first lady in the House gallery and told their stories to an enthralled television audience.

The House of Representatives is now the prime-time television studio where the president delivers his State of the Union address.

Members of Congress are also part of the political theater. Depending on which party controls the White House, Democrats or Republicans will either stand up and cheer for the president or sit sullenly in their seats. After Donald Trump delivered the 2020 State of the Union address, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said: ruined his speech, a serious breach of parliamentary protocol. NBC anchor Lester Holt called it “great moment”

Three years later, Joe Biden was relentlessly heckled by Republicans in Congress over Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-Florida) pledge to protect Social Security and Medicare. Government program will be phased out after 5 years Unless Congress reauthorizes it. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called the president a “liar” and her Republican colleagues booed en masse.

Biden quickly went off script; engage with opponents, ensuring a live broadcast commitment to protect these two important programs.And a week after Biden’s speech, Scott withdrew his proposal.

This year’s State of the Union address is far more important than previous years.First of all, it comes 2 days after Super Tuesday. Lectures are typically held in late January or early February. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) formal invitation to the president, Set this year’s date to March 7th — two days after Super Tuesday. By then, Biden and Trump will be the de facto presidential nominees of their respective parties.

Biden won’t miss the chance answered immediately I told Johnson, “I’m looking forward to it, Mr. Speaker.”

It is unclear why Johnson was late. But the speech and its setting lend an air of legitimacy to the Biden presidency, something nearly two-thirds of Republicans reject. In exit polls conducted after the South Carolina primary, 87 percent of Trump voters believe the 2020 election was stolen. Donald Trump is such a dominant force that a prerequisite for being a good Republican is to think that Joe Biden is an illegitimate president.

Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), who signed on to challenge the 2020 election results, was reportedly heard saying, “This is what we’re doing for Orange Jesus.” . But Mr. Greene maintained his good standing within the Republican Party by specifying his name on his documents.

Perhaps realizing the strategic error of delaying inviting Mr. Biden, former Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) wants Mr. Johnson to rescind the president’s invitation. saying, “There’s no reason to invite him to get any more publicity.” But Biden will certainly use his prime-time platform to frame the terms of his 2024 campaign soon after both parties decide on their presidential nominees. Think of this as Mr. Johnson’s in-kind donation to the Biden campaign.

Other traps could lure Republicans into further strategic mistakes.Following Robert Herr report A comment describing Mr. Biden as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” will make Republicans want to heckle the president and take him out of the game. If they succeed in fulfilling their wishes, the age issue will come up again.

But it can also backfire. Showing stamina, dexterity and quick thinking in the face of Republican heckles worked for Biden last year. And a TV audience made up of committed Democrats will be offended by the Republican antics, helping to shore up Biden’s support base.

For many years, the audience for the State of the Union address I refused, and most of the speeches were quickly forgotten. Perhaps the most well-known quote is from Franklin D. Roosevelt. Address in 1941 In it, he called for a world based on freedom of speech and religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Bill Clinton declared in his 1996 speech:The era of big government is overThat would tap into voters still fascinated by Ronald Reagan.

Today’s State of the Union address is as much about content as showmanship. Ronald Reagan excelled in front of the cameras. So was Bill Clinton. In 1998, he was caught up in the Monica Lewinsky scandal. More Americans tuned into Clinton’s hour-long speech To make sure he was still doing well at work. After that, Mr. Clinton Work approval increases by 10 pointsAnd any serious attempts to oust him from the White House disappeared that night.

This year, Joe Biden has a similar opportunity to advance his political standing. While the content of Biden’s State of the Union address is important and will likely include general proposals, so is its appearance. The speech is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Biden to show the nation that his job is on track. After all, seeing is believing.

If Biden can make the most of these opportunities, his campaign should send a big thank you to House Speaker Johnson.

john kenneth white He is a professor of political science at The Catholic University of America and author of Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of Authoritarianism.