# State of the Union Address, March 7, 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 8, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590 "2024-03-08T01:21:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/161 "2024-03-08T13:28:31Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > A couple of decades ago I stopped being able to watch SotUs. Whichever party holds the presidency, I just couldn’t bear the theatrics, the slogans, one side popping up and down and the other looking glum. Just didn’t add anything of value to me. Seconded! The State of the Union address long ago became just another empty campaign speech. Wishful thinking, but I’d love for a US president to shake things up the way Czechoslovak president Vaclav Havel did in his 1990 New Year’s Address: > For forty years you heard from my predecessors on this day different variations on the same theme: how our country was flourishing, how many million tons of steel we produced, how happy we all were, how we trusted our government, and what bright perspectives were unfolding in front of us. I assume you did not propose me for this office so that I, too, would lie to you. > Our country is not flourishing. The enormous creative and spiritual potential of our nations is not being used sensibly. Entire branches of industry are producing goods that are of no interest to anyone, while we are lacking the things we need. A state which calls itself a workers’ state humiliates and exploits workers. Our obsolete economy is wasting the little energy we have available. A country that once could be proud of the educational level of its citizens spends so little on education that it ranks today as seventy-second in the world. (And he’s just getting warmed up…) [https://2celsius.org/media/vaclav-havel-new-years-address-to-the-nation-czechoslovakia-january-1-1990/](https://2celsius.org/media/vaclav-havel-new-years-address-to-the-nation-czechoslovakia-january-1-1990/) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/162 "2024-03-08T13:31:16Z")
Yes, in the current 538 podcast, they discuss Clinton’s 10-point post-SotU approval boost: 1. Approval ratings moved around more in general, back in those less-polarized days; 2. More people tuned into the SotU then – fewer web-based distractions and such; 3. Clinton was emerging from the Republican overreaction (as perceived by much of the public) to the Lewinsky affair. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/163 "2024-03-08T13:32:06Z")
Got here late and just wanted to echo how good it was. Yes, he slurred at times, but the content was excellent; addressing all the key issues and some less often talked about but important to many Americans (such as shrinkflation). While many have described how aggressive the speech was, actually the tone consistently was “Here’s what I stand for. Republicans: are you going to agree with me, or admit to taking an unpopular position?” > [@Dinsdale](#): > > Whichever party holds the presidency, I just couldn’t bear the theatrics, the slogans, one side popping up and down and the other looking glum. I actually found it to be quite optimistic and positive, all told. But maybe it’s just that I am soured by Trump rallies? In terms of effect, somewhere around 30 million Americans tune in. That’s actually a lot for politics. And more of course will hear about it through word of mouth or news articles\* etc. As CNN put it, a lot of people will have wondered who the guy with the glasses was behind Biden: they will be learning for the first time about that drama, as well as the mess the GOP has got into over IVF etc \* Continuing my rant on The Economist’s lurch to the right: The summary they went with was: _“[Biden’s] campaign-style state-of-the-union speech may calm Democrats’ nerves, for now”_ 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/164 "2024-03-08T13:53:08Z")
I go up and I go down in terms of my feelings, but I am more optimistic now that it is down to Biden-Trump than I am on other days. I don’t know if Biden will get 80 million votes again, but I’m not totally sure he’ll need that. I know Trump will get that hardcore maniac base, but I’m not convinced enough voters in America will choose Trump on his third attempt at the presidency. I could be wrong. I also think if the polls continue to scare everyone the way they are, a lot of anti-Trump voters will show up and push Biden over in a few states. I dunno. I’m from Michigan and the last time scared us to death and in 2016 Trump actually pulled it off. Never…again? ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/165 "2024-03-08T14:02:08Z")
How are conservatives seeing this so differently than Dopers? They expected him to mumble and drift off; he did the opposite! Now hes too angry? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/166 "2024-03-08T14:02:54Z")
The “Biden is old” stuff has done Biden one favor - it lowered the bar so much that he could have easily cleared it with a standard, boring speech. But he went much, much further yesterday, giving a rousing and energetic speech that should make Democrats feel good that he has one last strong and feisty campaign within him. It’s telling that the Republican attacks on him this morning are that he must have been drugged to give such a good performance. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/167 "2024-03-08T14:10:32Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Imagine a Trumper saying this with a straight face. I can imagine them saying it with a smarmy smirk. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/168 "2024-03-08T14:16:31Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > How are conservatives seeing this so differently than Dopers? > They expected him to mumble and drift off; he did the opposite! > Now hes too angry? Motivated reasoning is a hell of a drug. I suppose some are genuinely idiots who really can’t tell the difference between Trump and Biden, but of those with even the slightest bit of self-awareness, they have to know how much worse Trump is. But they have to find an excuse to still vote for him, because for some reason, they actually want what Trump is going to do. With those people, no message will ever work - they must simply be defeated. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/169 "2024-03-08T14:19:50Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The “Biden is old” stuff has done Biden one favor - it lowered the bar so much that he could have easily cleared it with a standard, boring speech. My wife watched it - and enjoyed it. (I asked her to turn down the volume! ;)) She said, “Of course he’s too old, but so is Trump.” As someone stated upthread, it is hard to imagine how someone can disagree with/criticize his statements aimed at the Repubs - but they will. And it is hard to imagine how someone could watch the SotU and any Trump appearance - and conclude Trump is constitutionally/mentally/emotionally/attitudinally better suited for the job. But they will. In the unlikelihood that there will be any televised debates, I hope this SotU is presented in contrast to Trump’s rallies. Just juxtapose Biden’s statements of hope with Trump’s wish for revenge, and Biden’s willingness to cooperate with Trump’s refusal for desired political gain. Hard to imagine how that would NOT appeal to any thinking voter. But the American electorate has let me down in the past… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/170 "2024-03-08T14:31:25Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > That was spectacular. Funny how a decrepit old man with dementia keeps outwitting the Congressional Republicans. Umberto Ecco wrote that fascist portray their enemies as simultaneously weak and all powerful. This incongruent narrative is a deliberate shifting of rhetorical focus to rile the people up but present them with an enemy that can be defeated. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/171 "2024-03-08T14:32:37Z")
I don’t dislike myself enough to watch the State of the Union. But here is The Atlantic’s take. > **[The Most Unusual State of the Union in Living Memory](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/03/state-of-the-union-president-biden/677680/)** > > Republican members of Congress repeatedly heckled President Biden, who was happy to mix it up with them. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/172 "2024-03-08T14:51:32Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > [The Most Unusual State of the Union in Living Memory - The Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/03/state-of-the-union-president-biden/677680/) Have they already forgotten last year? This one was basically just a sequel. Heck, Biden even covered the breakout hit from last year, “Make the Republicans boo by telling the truth about their plans for social security”. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/173 "2024-03-08T14:54:29Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > This is **data-driven** (538’s Nathaniel Rakich). In 12 hours? EDIT: Never mind – I hadn’t realized that the article was written on Wednesday, March 6th. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/174 "2024-03-08T15:10:38Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > And it is hard to imagine how someone could watch the SotU and any Trump appearance - and conclude Trump is constitutionally/mentally/emotionally/attitudinally better suited for the job. But they will. I actually try to imagine just this. What if the candidate whose views aligned more closely with mine were a blithering, self-obsessed idiot, while his opponent was a calm, intelligent career politician? I like to think I would just not vote. And not make an ass of myself defending the idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/175 "2024-03-08T15:20:38Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > What if the candidate whose views aligned more closely with mine were a blithering, self-obsessed idiot, while his opponent was a calm, intelligent career politician? I don’t have to imagine it, I lived it. In the Ontario provincial election before last, I was prepared to vote for the Progressive Conservative party. But due to some shenanigans, the PCs had to swap out their party leader just before the election started. And they nominated Doug Ford to the job, despite there being two other half-way decent candidates they could have chosen. And this was for an election that they were as close to certain they would win as you can get in politics. They didn’t chose Ford because they thought he’d “mobilze the base” or any such thing, they didn’t need that. They chose him because they wanted him. And there was just no way I was going to vote for that jackass, or the party that would choose such a jackass over the other candidates available. So I switched my vote, and haven’t looked back, or regretted it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/176 "2024-03-08T15:22:55Z")
Mike Johnson does smarmy smirk better than any politician I’ve seen. Hope his face doesn’t freeze in that expression. I couldn’t watch more than a little of the speech and its coverage. I’m just glad there apparently weren’t any significant Biden stumbles (verbal or otherwise) for dimwits to try to take advantage of.\* \*At one point when supporters were chanting “four more years!”, Mrs. J. and I began chanting “four more steps!”. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/177 "2024-03-08T15:25:12Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > BTW, why the rant about human trafficking? Because every accusation is a confession with the Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/178 "2024-03-08T15:27:21Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I don’t know if Biden will get 80 million votes again, but I’m not totally sure he’ll need that. Early response to Biden’s State of the Union address indicates that in the immediate term he has stabilized the floor of his support among his 20 **20** voters. In other words, his speech has helped his campaign stop the bleeding (for whatever bleeding their was). I would say that his State of the Union address did the above to the point where he won’t, indeed, need 80 million votes again. **[See this other P&E thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-forecast-of-the-2024-us-presidential-election-are-the-assumptions-and-results-reasonable/997960)** for further discussion of numbers apart from the State of the Union’s affect upon them. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/179 "2024-03-08T15:53:00Z")
Heh… > **[Republicans complain Joe Biden had too much energy at SOTU](https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-joe-biden-energy-state-union-1877209)** > > Some Republicans have criticized President Joe Biden for having too much energy at last night's State of the Union address. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/180 "2024-03-08T16:14:34Z")
AIUI, there’s no requirement that the SOTU be delivered in person to Congress. Given that it’s turning into a trashy affair, I think (assuming Biden is president next year) he should just submit a written report and tell Congress that he’s not going to enable their embarrassing behavior. I can’t stand that this is turning into Jerry Springer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590.md?page=10)