I obviously come late to President Biden’s powerful State of the Union speech last night.
My biggest takeaway is this: The State of the Union is about visibility. That’s why the First Lady’s guests matter. That’s why the chattering class chatters about who is sitting next to whom and what they’re wearing. That’s why CSPAN preps so well to highlight key spectators, pro and con.
Joe Biden gave tribute to the possibility that government can work. He laid out one after another policy that makes sense, and often as not, saves money. He talked about real policy successes. He promised to fight against past policy disasters.
He did so in one of the few remaining venues where political shame exists anymore.
Joe Biden laid out one after another policy that voters overwhelmingly support. Behind him, Speaker Johnson squirmed, often shaking his head. Republicans sat sourly, usually in silence.
Joe Biden orchestrated a public event where voters could see that Republicans collectively want government to fail, want popular policies to fail.
We could do with a lot more shame in the United States. US democracy would be vibrant if Republicans were held accountable for their attacks on America.
Last night, Joe Biden made the Republicans look like the small men and women they are.
I don’t know if that refrain, History is watching, will ring in their minds.
But he used the opportunity, with cameras rolling, to capture Republicans being shamed.