Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

When we show up, we win.

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

The press swings at every pitch, we don’t have to.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

Republicans: The threats are dire, but my tickets are non-refundable!

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

I really should read my own blog.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Every reporter and pundit should have to declare if they ever vacationed with a billionaire.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

The real work of an opposition party is to oppose.

… gradually, and then suddenly.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

You passed on an opportunity to be offended? What are you even doing here?

Everybody saw this coming.

People are weird.

You are either for trump or for democracy. Pick one.

Since we are repeating ourselves, let me just say fuck that.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread: From The President’s Address to Congress & the Nation

Open Thread: From The President’s Address to Congress & the Nation

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From the Guardian‘s liveblog:

At each step, Biden is explaining that his plans – to improve water infrastructure, to increase internet access, to address climate change – will all create jobs.

“The American Jobs Plan will put engineers and construction workers to work building more energy efficient buildings and homes,” Biden said. “The American Jobs Plan will help millions of people get back to their jobs and their careers.”

From the Guardian liveblog:

Like so much else in his presidency, the depleted ranks – masked members sitting several seats apart on the floor and in the public gallery – have turned down the volume from when Donald Trump delivered these speeches to raucous cheers from Republicans and boos, heckles and shaking heads from Democrats.

Biden is giving the Democrats who present plenty to applaud while eliciting some Republican frowns. It looks like another bad night for bipartisan unity…

Biden effectively sounded the death knell for four decades of Ronald Reagan’s small government, low tax orthodoxy, within which even Bill Clinton and Barack Obama operated.

“My fellow Americans, trickle-down economics has never worked,” he said. “It’s time to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle-out.”

Republicans have remained silent, stony faced and riveted to their seats on applause lines such as “Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America”.

Senator Lindsey Graham frowned, a hand to his chin. Senator Ted Cruz sat with hands folded. Meanwhile, in the gallery, Democrat Joe Manchin is busy taking notes.

(I believe that’s Danica Roehm President Biden has stopped to speak with on his way down the aisle?)

To be continued…

Reader Interactions

86Comments

  4. 4.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @BillOReilly
    · 1h
    Six minutes into the speech I have learned nothing. It is very boring. But I have hope it might get better.

    Unemployed wife-beating sexual harasser who hawks supplements on satellite radio to pay his child support says what?

  6. 6.

    hells littlest angel

    Tim Scott is complaining about what a terrible president Biden was last year.

  7. 7.

    dmsilev

    Biden goes off script when talking about gun control with this line: what do you think, deer wear Kevlar vests? (This came right after he said responsible gun owners and hunters say there’s no justification for having 100 rounds in a weapon.)

    I’m all for giving the deer a sporting chance, but wouldn’t it be better to just give them guns instead? Or do we only have the right to arm bears in particular?

  8. 8.

    bbleh

    Biden continues to exceed expectations.

    Great speech, rhetorically very clever (cast Republicans implicitly but never explicitly as defenders of mass murder, supporters of hostile foreign autocrats, etc., etc.), and simultaneously breathtaking in scope and yet sympathetic and blandly conventional in delivery.  Really well done!

  9. 9.

    Al Z.

    One criticism: I am disappointed Joe did not address the Green Eggs and Plant-Based Meat controversy..

  10. 10.

    Mary G

    Repeating from the last thread because there’s no schadenfreude like seeing Moscow Mitchell (R-White Supremacy) have to walk across the rotunda behind an Asian-African-American woman. If TFG was there, Mitch would probably try to throttle him:

    Frame it pic.twitter.com/fP7mcsniwY— Wiffy Mountbatten (@wyntermitchell) April 29, 2021

  11. 11.

    Mary G

    Right out the gate, I have to remind y’all: Tim Scott and the GOP have more flip flops than all of Myrtle Beach.— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@harrisonjaime) April 29, 2021

  12. 12.

    Joe Falco

    Senator Tim Scott begins by saying he isn’t there to point fingers…and proceeds to point fingers.

  14. 14.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    MAGAs watching right now are asking each other does Tim Scott play basketball or football

  15. 15.

    Elizabelle

    Tim Scott: painting Republicans as the defenders of voting rights.

    I shall be ending my attention to this gentleman now. It’s all “send me money right now!” talking points to rightwingers.

  19. 19.

    NotMax

    Rumor is TVs at Mar-a-lago flipped over to reruns of The Apprentice less than five minutes into the speech.

  20. 20.

    The Moar You Know

    I’m just grateful, frankly to the point of tears, that an American president finally called out the utter bullshit core of Reaganomics for what it always has been:  a fucking scam to steal from the American poor and middle class and send that money to people who clearly have far more than they will ever need.  Never thought I’d see this in my lifetime.

    Happy, again, that’s he’s driving the bus.  Hopefully things will stay that way for a while.  He is the president we need.

  27. 27.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch:

    I continue to love the Nicolle-Joy-Rachel trio. They are all so smart, and — apart from being women — they bring very different backgrounds and life experiences to the table. I still wish the three of them had a regular (weekly) show (in addition to their individual daily programs) instead of just being hauled together for major speeches and election coverage and debate night. But I’ll happily take what I can get.

    And thank you, MSNBC, for minimising BriWi’s participation. The ladies don’t need his brilliant insights.

  29. 29.

    Another Scott

    Fun Fact: Joe Biden is the first president in the last five years who hasn't sent a mob to murder his running mate.

    — LOL??GOP?? (@LOLGOP) April 29, 2021

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  30. 30.

    zhena gogolia

    @bbleh:

    Biden closes his #JointAddress by saying, "we've stared into the abyss of insurrection and autocracy, pandemic and pain, and we the people did not flinch … we can do whatever we set our mind to, if we do it together. So let's begin to get together." pic.twitter.com/jo9ba4YwIB— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 29, 2021

    It seems to me the “autocracy” in that phrase is the previous administration.

  31. 31.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @The Moar You Know: you saw it in your lifetime

    Now, just as there was in Teddy Roosevelt’s time, there’s been a certain crowd in Washington for the last few decades who respond to this economic challenge with the same old tune. “The market will take care of everything,” they tell us. If only we cut more regulations and cut more taxes — especially for the wealthy — our economy will grow stronger. Sure, there will be winners and losers. But if the winners do really well, jobs and prosperity will eventually trickle down to everyone else. And even if prosperity doesn’t trickle down, they argue, that’s the price of liberty.

    It’s a simple theory — one that speaks to our rugged individualism and healthy skepticism of too much government. And that theory fits well on a bumper sticker. Here’s the problem: It doesn’t work. It has never worked. It didn’t work when it was tried in the decade before the Great Depression. It’s not what led to the incredible post-war boom of the 50s and 60s. And it didn’t work when we tried it during the last decade.

  33. 33.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    I do not like Tim Scott and bait,

    I will not listen to him in a house,
    i will not see him with a mouse,
    i will not read him in a box,
    i will not watch him on a Fox.​

    I do not like Tim Scott and bait,​
    I do not like them Sam my mate.

  34. 34.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Al Z.:

    One criticism: I am disappointed Joe did not address the Green Eggs and Plant-Based Meat controversy..

    Or why the ham is green!

    Rethuglicans, waste our tax dollars investigating Benghazi this!

  39. 39.

    bbleh

    @zhena gogolia: I was also reminded of his explicit connection of the 1/6 insurrection with hostile foreign autocrats — they were watching, etc. — and the implication that carries that the insurrectionists were, knowingly or not, doing our autocratic enemies’ work for them.  I don’t think that was accidental either.

  43. 43.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    @Cheryl Rofer: After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.’

  46. 46.

    bbleh

    @Cheryl Rofer: Jeez, between Kamala’s natural good looks and classy understated style, and Joe’s truly impeccable dressing, it’s a real breath of fresh air, like we haven’t seen since … um … Barack Obama’s natural good looks and classy understated style and Joe’s truly impeccable dressing.

  47. 47.

    Cheryl Rofer

    Those high approval numbers that Joe keeps getting have to include some Trump voters.

    Maybe the reporters can find those folks in those midwestern diners.

  48. 48.

    JML

    Got round #2 today! so far just a sore arm, so I’m hoping for super-powers as the remainder of my side effects.

  49. 49.

    bbleh

    @Cheryl Rofer: Lol, they certainly could, but, see, they wouldn’t be real Heartland Americans™, cuz something something traditional values something fiscally cautious something, and also some Republicans might yell at them for biased reporting.

  50. 50.

    Kay

    Simon Shuster
    @shustry
    ·4h
    Many of Giuliani’s associates in Ukraine have helped investigators ahead of today’s raids on his home. One told me he spoke to FBI agents for 10 hours straight in a DC hotel. Another says he volunteered the passwords to his phone and email, then explained each message from Rudy

    Oh, God, the BETRAYAL. Not only are they doing it, they’re running to tell people they did it!
    Dramatically gunning the engine of the bus as they shift it into gear…

  51. 51.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    These high approval numbers that Biden keeps racking up have to include some Trump voters. 

    Doubtful.  I’ve seen pollsters in Chicago cemeteries.  Draw your own conclusions.

  52. 52.

    Redshift

    when Donald Trump delivered these speeches to raucous cheers from Republicans and boos, heckles and shaking heads from Democrats.

    WTF, Guardian? When were there ever boos and heckles of TFG during his SOTU rambles?

  53. 53.

    mrmoshpotato

    @JML:

    Got round #2 today! so far just a sore arm, so I’m hoping for super-powers as the remainder of my side effects. 

    Same here, and I’m right in the might-feel-like-hammered-shit window at the moment.

  54. 54.

    Morzer

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    Recent polling has suggested that Biden’s good-natured competence is, in fact, rather popular. Meanwhile, The Thing From The Orange Mar-A-Lagoon is grinding its fake teeth and hinting strongly that more violence would be welcome. I know which side of the equation I prefer.

  61. 61.

    Ruckus

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Tinkle down economics never works. Especially when that tinkle is a fucking flood. Of course it was never expected to do what the country needs, is was always known that it was for the fucking rich to get fucking richer. And every time that tinkle has became that flood the rich get richer and everyone else gets fucked.

  62. 62.

    Mary G

    Tonight watching @POTUS, I couldn’t help but think of Harry Truman.He’s speaking plain English.And much like his agenda, he speaks to all of us. A blue collar blueprint for America.Don’t get caught up in the beltway talk or Twitter silos — tonight was a home run.— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) April 29, 2021

  63. 63.

    Mary G

    Michelle Obama put his name on the map:

    Vice President @VP @KamalaHarris wears a Prabal Gurung Hand Tailored Double Crepe Cream Suit And Ivory Silk Charmeuse Camisole,to the Joint Session Congress at the U.S. Capitol. Made in New York City, at the Prabal Gurung Atelier, and designed for powerful moments in history. pic.twitter.com/Rvps14pjJE— Prabal Gurung (@prabalgurung) April 29, 2021

  64. 64.

    Ken

    @zhena gogolia: It seems to me the “autocracy” in that phrase is the previous administration.

    Yes, but he doesn’t have to say it.  Further, everyone recognizes that he doesn’t have to say it, which just makes it all the more blatant; “you know in your heart he’s right”.  As one of my favorite villains (subclass: charming) said,

    “You might well think that. I couldn’t possibly comment.” — Francis “F.U.” Urquhart. House of Cards

  65. 65.

    dww44

    @SiubhanDuinne: I’m not  trying to single you out as I’ve long noticed that Brian Williams  has many detractors at BJ. But I happen to think he’s pretty good. He was as strong and consistent in his criticisms of Trump as anyone in the MSNBC lineup.  I became a fan of his show by watching it lots.during the Trump years and think he does a good job at its helm.

  66. 66.

    Mallard Filmore

    @JML:

     

    Got round #2 today! so far just a sore arm, so I’m hoping for super-powers as the remainder of my side effects.

    I don’t like my super power … all traffic lights turn red when I approach.

  67. 67.

    Kay

    @mrmoshpotato:

    He’s so old too. Crime is really a young man’s game. You’re supposed to age out of it, not get progressively more criminal into your 80s.

    We’re going to need a nursing home wing in the white collar prison. They’re all ancient.

    Should have been nipped in the bud when these people went bad, in their 60’s.

  68. 68.

    Morzer

    Very interesting Twitter thread here on things Biden told the media on the record before the speech:

    https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1387475892092510217

    As is tradition before a meeting to a Joint Session of Congress, the president today held an off the record briefing with some TV anchors. Following are some ON-the-record comments he told us that you may find interesting.

  69. 69.

    Ken

    @Kay: We’re going to need a nursing home wing in the white-collar prison.

    We could name it the Vincent Gigante wing, since I’m sure quite a lot of them will try to argue they’re medically unfit, or mentally incompetent, to stand trial.

  70. 70.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @dww44: He’s better than Chuck Todd, Tim Russert, Brokaw, Tweety, Andrea Mitchell…. but to hear a multi-millionaire talking head talk about how Democrats, the people fighting for expansive health coverage, an increased minimum wage, early education, childcare…. are the party of elites because Whole Foods is pretty galling.

    Are you watching now as he and Carville harp on “faculty lounges” and “When did Democrats forget who to speak Iowa and Louisiana?” this is Williams at his worst. And I don’t think he and Carville are wrong about messaging, but their messaging on messaging really sucks.

  71. 71.

    Chetan Murthy

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    “When did Democrats forget who to speak Iowa and Louisiana?”

    They’re (BriWi & Carville) wrong on the messaging.  I’ll bet that poor Black people in LA and IA hear the Dems just fine.  It’s shit-KKKicker white crackers who aren’t hearing the message.

  73. 73.

    Kristine

    “New CBS polling shows 85% of viewers approve of President Biden’s speech to Congress. @SalvantoCBS says results also show that a majority of viewers believe the proposals Biden made in his address “would directly help them.”

  75. 75.

    Almost Retired

    I am about to make a bingo card or invent a drinking game centered on MSNBC’s insistence on inserting some fucking “Presidential historian” (often with a book to sell), for the purpose of interrupting a topical political discussion.  Mitchell Beschloss or Doris Kearns Goodwin get the center square/largest shot glass in my game.

  81. 81.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    I have to confess I was really mad reading that “faculty lounge” thread. It came across as a lot of “hippy punching” imo. Maybe there’s a point to be made about better messaging when it comes to talking to voters, but I did NOT like the dunking on the use of terms like “POC” or the painting of certain segments of the left as pointy headed elitists who can’t talk to ordinary people without being condescending.

    I particularly loved the comment noting how Republicans tell blue collar workers that immigrants are coming to take their jobs. The comment’s summation of typical Dems’ response was like something out of r/theRightCan’tMeme:

    Dem 1: If you believe that you’re a RACIST!!!

    I mean, so what are we supposed to do? Cater to these people’s delusions? Pretend racism doesn’t exist?

    I swear it was like stepping into the Twilight Zone. I was waiting for some people to start spouting off about “SJWs” and “feminazis” and “identity politics”

  83. 83.

    randy khan

    Seeing the mention of Danica Roehm above, if you don’t know her history with Biden, check out what she posted on Facebook the night he accepted the nomination.  It’s a quintessential Biden story, and it starts with her meeting him at Beau’s memorial service.

    Danica & Joe

  86. 86.

    Woodrow/asim

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): I know it’s unlikely you’ll see this, yet — AGREED.

    There are too many people here willing to denigrate terms and concepts that come from Black/Brown folx, without being willing to say they disagree. “Messaging” feels like the new way to tell us Black folx to stop being so damn loud.

    Unlike a lot of folx here, I actually think B. Williams is overall a good person, but he’s a try hard: he wants to sit with the “cool kids” so damn badly, which is why he lied about the ‘copter ride that got him demoted. He thinks Carville’s a “cool kid” too — but, and I say this as someone who’s actually read Carville’s 1st book, he’s a gun for hire whose devotion to Progressive ideals is a mile wide and an inch deep.

    Carville is the one who got B. Clinton to stop running his speeches out for hours in ’87/’88. He thinks this and triangulation won Clinton the White House, and kept him in it, and I’m starting to question that. All the triangulation he played out didn’t stop them from demonizing him from jump, and there’s an argument to be made that had Clinton actually had the courage of his early convictions, and stuck to things like getting Health Care passed, he would have had a more solid core of support. And that’s about policy, not what he and his surrogates are saying on TV.

    Anyway. “Messaging” is a shibboleth for too much people don’t want to be up front in saying, is what I’m saying :)

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