This was billed as a reset moment for the President. A moment for him to persuade a nation, on primetime, of his leadership credentials and his ability to lead America well into his 80s.
In presenting his assessment of the state of the union he couldn’t avoid a partisan framing. It felt more like a convention speech than the traditional State of the Union. Maybe little surprise given how partisan and divided America is right now.
He mentioned “my predecessor” thirteen times, never by name though.
The spectre of Donald Trump and the direction the former president would take the country if he was to become the next is clearly front and centre on his mind.
A few Republican representatives left the chamber in protest. One of them, Max Miller, a former aide to Donald Trump, told reporters: “This is beneath the president. It’s a full-blown campaign speech.”
On delivery though, he was fluent, fiery and punchy.
His fluency, even in a fully autocued speech, had caused even his most loyal supporters some anxiety over the days leading up to this.
But there were no slip ups and no verbal mix-ups. The one or two stutters (for a man who suffers from a life-long stutter) will be criticised by his enemies but there were no disastrous moments.
The speech began with a warning about what he thinks is at stake. It was about Trump.
“Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War have freedom and democracy been under assault here at home as they are today. What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack, both at home and overseas, at the very same time.”
That was the pivot to Ukraine and another dig at his predecessor.
Reminding Republicans of the past leaders they claim to admire, he contrasted Reagan and his confrontation with communism with Trump and his cosying to Putin.
“It wasn’t that long ago when a Republican President, Ronald Reagan, thundered, “Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall.
“Now, my predecessor, a former Republican President, tells Putin, ‘Do whatever the hell you want.'”
Much of the speech, as expected, was focused on domestic issues. And on all of them, he couldn’t avoid presenting a vision so starkly different from the other side.
Reproductive rights and abortion access formed a key section.
“Many of you in this Chamber and my predecessor are promising to pass a national ban on reproductive freedom,” he said. “My God, what freedoms will you take away next?”
The nine justices of the Supreme Court were sitting directly in front of him. It was a majority of whom removed the constitutional nationwide right to abortion access two years ago.
Hardline Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene. Pic: Reuters
He addressed them directly: “With all due respect justices, women are not without electoral or political power.
“If Americans send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you, I will restore Roe v Wade as the law of the land again.”
There was heckling from the right as he chastised them for blocking his immigration and border legislation even though it was legislation they had wanted.
On the economy he tried to persuade the American people that things are good and that if they don’t yet feel it, they will soon.
“I came to office determined to get us through one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history. And we have. It doesn’t make the news but in thousands of cities and towns the American people are writing the greatest comeback story never told. So, let’s tell that story here and now.”
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He then listed his achievements, citing low inflation, high employment, and an economy he said was the envy of the world.
Then it was back to global challenges. With families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in the audience, he addressed the conflict in the Middle East. He demanded their immediate release as part of a six-week ceasefire.
Supporters of the Palestinian cause would have been disappointed that it was over an hour before he mentioned the issue. But when he did it was with a strong warning for Israel.
“To the leadership of Israel, I say this. Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority.”
And there was confirmation of a plan that had been trailed earlier in the day.
“Tonight, I’m directing the US military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the Gaza coast that can receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters. No U.S. boots will be on the ground. This temporary pier would enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day.”
Was this a reset moment? Well, he didn’t fluff it. But he failed to paint a picture of an America capable of healing or coming together. Such is the state of this Union right now.
