I don’t know how many presidential addresses to Congress I have covered over the years. I do know most of them felt important in the moment, buoyed and battered by the political, social, economic, and foreign policy winds that blew at the time. They tend to follow a certain well-trod rhythm, which begins days before the speech itself - no shortage of scene setting, by the press, the pundit class, the administration preparing the remarks, and the opposition party that hopes to gain traction for its response. The pageantry can make it all feel monumental, never mind that the speeches themselves are rarely remembered in any great detail and seldom have much or any impact on the trajectory of a presidency.
I feel deeply reassured when Iisten to Biden speak. He is not a great orator.....and.....he is ALWAYS the same. The messages never drift. The clarity and kindness never flinch or deflect. He does not posture, justify, dodge, or self-aggrandize. He speaks ill of no-one. He gives me hope that maybe, somewhere, Americans can still be intelligent. Perhaps we can remember how to be kind. Can agendas be advanced without lying about them or denigrating people? We shall see. Meanwhile, I always feel a surge of comfort and hope when I listen to this good person speak. Thank you, President Biden.
I say tonight as I have said for the last 100 days, thank you President Biden. You have given me hope for my country's future and a good night's sleep.
I was impressed with the President’s emphasis on “we”. The speech was not about him and there was no bombast. It was like an FDR call to hope. Thank you Mr Rather for your observations
Dan, I'm a wee bit disappointed in your comments. I watched with some trepidation, as Joe can be somewhat lackluster at times. But he nailed it! The humility, the conviction, the compassion with which he told his story was awesome. Especially after Trump. It was designed to reach working class America, and spoken simply, clearly and directly. I'm given Biden an "A" for both his stance and the delivery.
President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the entire Administration hit the ground running, and my God. I feel so good about the stunning daily progress. I feel safe knowing there is truth coming from our Leaders. I feel confident that America is quieting down after five years in the hellfire. We are in this moment together, and I feel it. I think his speech will inspire others to feel it, too. We need to find a way to keep the momementum going. I feel good tonight. 😊🗽
For any of us who feels they endured the last four years, I think Biden's speech was a breath of fresh air. No one can deny the stark contrast to his predecessor, and I think it is for these reasons that so many people liked Biden's address.
For me, and I am amongst those who endured the last 4 years, I found it a bit long. However, this doesn't really matter. What does matter is the uphill battle Biden faces trying to accomplish any - ANY - of the items he mentioned.
Until those in the GOP who continue to spread lies, stop this nonsense or stop being believed, I fear nothing will happen. The lies were on full display from Tim Scott who gave the GOP response: "Our president SEEMS like a good man." Or lamenting how children have lost a year of education is such a horrible thing, compared to the fact that over a half a million have died from COVID, much of which could successfully be argued due to the incompetency of Biden's predecessor. Or his false statements about taxes. When, seriously when, will the GOP stop touting the false benefits of trickle down economics - not until the people stop believing it. Or his statements, again false, about the new voting laws in Georgia. Most startling to me is Scott saying that America is not a racist country. People may disagree with me, but I contend that America is a racist country, and I will direct you to this article in The Atlantic for more on this: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/05/united-states-immigration-exclusion/618390/
With comments spoken by Ted Cruz, "an unapologetic partisan speech." How does taking care of our people with better health care, education, etc. partisan. Or how he also lied about whose taxes Biden proposed to raise -- so many people end up voting against their own self interest when it comes to this particularly lie. Or exclaiming our freedoms are being taken away. (Personally I am so tired of this one.) This rhetoric is important to acknowledge because many, many people did not watch Biden's address and instead are watching the comments of the GOP and FoxNews.
So while the address was a breath a fresh air, I would like to ask all of us who have, and continue to endure, the false rhetoric of the GOP, including myself, what are we going to do about this? I believe all of us need to do whatever it is we can to help the items Biden mentioned in his address last night to get passed, and simply voting for the right people isn't enough. I would like to encourage anyone who is able to get involved no matter how small that involvement might be, in order to have some normalcy one again. I do believe if Biden is able to pass his agenda, that there will be a significant amount of people who have believed the GOP rhetoric will realize their mistake because they will reap the benefits.
I would like to end on a positive note. Biden said some things that really struck me last night and they were:
“We’ve all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of Black Americans.”
"White supremacy is terrorism."
"And that’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act – the PRO Act — and send it to my desk to support the right to unionize."
"let’s also pass the $15 minimum wage."
"Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America."
What I heard was a President for the People. Someone who is very aware of the issues we face and what can happen if we support him and Congress work together. Opportunities for America to become strong for all the right reasons. I am worried about how the Republicans will stick together like glue and without a thought for their constituents or the people of this country, work as hard as they can to not allow any of this to happen. I do feel that will be their greatest downfall in 2022, because We the People are sick and tired of things not being accomplished and that comes from the Republican party. They are more worried about stopping progress of the Democrats than they are their Country. So in 2022, no matter the circumstances, we must show in numbers to remove them from office. We do not need Representatives and Senators that are more worried about what THEY want then what WE need. Our country has a chance to catch up, build up better and become stronger now. No time to waste. And the world needs it also with the climate change. I think President Biden did a wonderful job bringing all those points across. Are we with him, including the Republicans, or does America fail as a Country. I'm very much with President Biden! BTW I never look at speeches as being memorable. I look at content and how it's addressed. I felt, when it was over, that he was working for us and not us working for him. That is indeed the biggest difference from the fool who was there the last 4 years destroying our country like he destroys his businesses and everything else he touches. The time is now and I'm behind Biden!
I want to believe in the America Biden spoke of last night. It's a place where we all respect and support each other. We don't live in it yet, but I hope he can bring us closer to it.
Mr Rather, I’m sorry but I am also surprised at the tone of your comments. You compare the President’s speech to what such speeches have been in the past (before the previous office holder). These are still unprecedented times and, in many ways, are likely to remain as such for years to come. Rather than the lofty rhetoric of years gone by, I so appreciate the firm but steady voice of President Biden. This is where we are. These are our challenges. This is what we need to and can and will do to meet them. There is work to be done and he’s going to do it because he has a clear understanding of what is at stake. In other words, President Biden’s got our backs! And I, for one, has his as well!
It was a sharp contrast to the former guy, but I liked his tone of “we the people” need to get this done. It is exactly what we need to hear right now. I hope all Americans were listening and perhaps it resonated with some of the naysayers if they really listened.
What i heard from President Biden is We the People...We the People have the ability to take control, it's We the People's government. We the People can create bipartisanship. We the People can build back America Better. President Biden's vision for America is coming from We the People.
I feel deeply reassured when Iisten to Biden speak. He is not a great orator.....and.....he is ALWAYS the same. The messages never drift. The clarity and kindness never flinch or deflect. He does not posture, justify, dodge, or self-aggrandize. He speaks ill of no-one. He gives me hope that maybe, somewhere, Americans can still be intelligent. Perhaps we can remember how to be kind. Can agendas be advanced without lying about them or denigrating people? We shall see. Meanwhile, I always feel a surge of comfort and hope when I listen to this good person speak. Thank you, President Biden.
I say tonight as I have said for the last 100 days, thank you President Biden. You have given me hope for my country's future and a good night's sleep.
It is a wonderful feeling to know that we have a working President again.
I was impressed with the President’s emphasis on “we”. The speech was not about him and there was no bombast. It was like an FDR call to hope. Thank you Mr Rather for your observations
Dan, I'm a wee bit disappointed in your comments. I watched with some trepidation, as Joe can be somewhat lackluster at times. But he nailed it! The humility, the conviction, the compassion with which he told his story was awesome. Especially after Trump. It was designed to reach working class America, and spoken simply, clearly and directly. I'm given Biden an "A" for both his stance and the delivery.
President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the entire Administration hit the ground running, and my God. I feel so good about the stunning daily progress. I feel safe knowing there is truth coming from our Leaders. I feel confident that America is quieting down after five years in the hellfire. We are in this moment together, and I feel it. I think his speech will inspire others to feel it, too. We need to find a way to keep the momementum going. I feel good tonight. 😊🗽
I feel very proud of my President. He is the right person for this time in history. The Republican rebuttal was utter nonsense!
For any of us who feels they endured the last four years, I think Biden's speech was a breath of fresh air. No one can deny the stark contrast to his predecessor, and I think it is for these reasons that so many people liked Biden's address.
For me, and I am amongst those who endured the last 4 years, I found it a bit long. However, this doesn't really matter. What does matter is the uphill battle Biden faces trying to accomplish any - ANY - of the items he mentioned.
Until those in the GOP who continue to spread lies, stop this nonsense or stop being believed, I fear nothing will happen. The lies were on full display from Tim Scott who gave the GOP response: "Our president SEEMS like a good man." Or lamenting how children have lost a year of education is such a horrible thing, compared to the fact that over a half a million have died from COVID, much of which could successfully be argued due to the incompetency of Biden's predecessor. Or his false statements about taxes. When, seriously when, will the GOP stop touting the false benefits of trickle down economics - not until the people stop believing it. Or his statements, again false, about the new voting laws in Georgia. Most startling to me is Scott saying that America is not a racist country. People may disagree with me, but I contend that America is a racist country, and I will direct you to this article in The Atlantic for more on this: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/05/united-states-immigration-exclusion/618390/
With comments spoken by Ted Cruz, "an unapologetic partisan speech." How does taking care of our people with better health care, education, etc. partisan. Or how he also lied about whose taxes Biden proposed to raise -- so many people end up voting against their own self interest when it comes to this particularly lie. Or exclaiming our freedoms are being taken away. (Personally I am so tired of this one.) This rhetoric is important to acknowledge because many, many people did not watch Biden's address and instead are watching the comments of the GOP and FoxNews.
So while the address was a breath a fresh air, I would like to ask all of us who have, and continue to endure, the false rhetoric of the GOP, including myself, what are we going to do about this? I believe all of us need to do whatever it is we can to help the items Biden mentioned in his address last night to get passed, and simply voting for the right people isn't enough. I would like to encourage anyone who is able to get involved no matter how small that involvement might be, in order to have some normalcy one again. I do believe if Biden is able to pass his agenda, that there will be a significant amount of people who have believed the GOP rhetoric will realize their mistake because they will reap the benefits.
I would like to end on a positive note. Biden said some things that really struck me last night and they were:
“We’ve all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of Black Americans.”
"White supremacy is terrorism."
"And that’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act – the PRO Act — and send it to my desk to support the right to unionize."
"let’s also pass the $15 minimum wage."
"Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America."
What I heard was a President for the People. Someone who is very aware of the issues we face and what can happen if we support him and Congress work together. Opportunities for America to become strong for all the right reasons. I am worried about how the Republicans will stick together like glue and without a thought for their constituents or the people of this country, work as hard as they can to not allow any of this to happen. I do feel that will be their greatest downfall in 2022, because We the People are sick and tired of things not being accomplished and that comes from the Republican party. They are more worried about stopping progress of the Democrats than they are their Country. So in 2022, no matter the circumstances, we must show in numbers to remove them from office. We do not need Representatives and Senators that are more worried about what THEY want then what WE need. Our country has a chance to catch up, build up better and become stronger now. No time to waste. And the world needs it also with the climate change. I think President Biden did a wonderful job bringing all those points across. Are we with him, including the Republicans, or does America fail as a Country. I'm very much with President Biden! BTW I never look at speeches as being memorable. I look at content and how it's addressed. I felt, when it was over, that he was working for us and not us working for him. That is indeed the biggest difference from the fool who was there the last 4 years destroying our country like he destroys his businesses and everything else he touches. The time is now and I'm behind Biden!
I want to believe in the America Biden spoke of last night. It's a place where we all respect and support each other. We don't live in it yet, but I hope he can bring us closer to it.
Biden's address was progressive, hopeful, and uplifting! What a change from the past four chaotic years!
Mr Rather, I’m sorry but I am also surprised at the tone of your comments. You compare the President’s speech to what such speeches have been in the past (before the previous office holder). These are still unprecedented times and, in many ways, are likely to remain as such for years to come. Rather than the lofty rhetoric of years gone by, I so appreciate the firm but steady voice of President Biden. This is where we are. These are our challenges. This is what we need to and can and will do to meet them. There is work to be done and he’s going to do it because he has a clear understanding of what is at stake. In other words, President Biden’s got our backs! And I, for one, has his as well!
It was a sharp contrast to the former guy, but I liked his tone of “we the people” need to get this done. It is exactly what we need to hear right now. I hope all Americans were listening and perhaps it resonated with some of the naysayers if they really listened.
What i heard from President Biden is We the People...We the People have the ability to take control, it's We the People's government. We the People can create bipartisanship. We the People can build back America Better. President Biden's vision for America is coming from We the People.
I feel like we as a Nation are finally being taken care of by a President who treats and respects us like a much-loved family member. He really cares.
Thank you Dan! Your perspectives are so important and wise.