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You are here: Home / Politics / Biden Administration in Action / President Joe Biden Speaks To A Joint Session of Congress

President Joe Biden Speaks To A Joint Session of Congress

by Cheryl Rofer|  April 28, 20218:26 pm| 277 Comments

This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, Open Threads

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It’s not officially a State of the Union because he’s only been in office three months, but that’s more or less what this is. Note that two women – the Vice President and the Speaker of the House – will be sitting behind him for the first time.

Open Thread!

Update: Looks like the White House isn’t including the pre-game festivities, which I always enjoy, so here’s C Span:

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Previous Post: «spy v. spy flyouts The Black PSYOP Comes Home To Roost: The National Security Implications of Today’s DOJ Raids on Giuliani and Toensing
Next Post: Open Thread: From The President’s Address to Congress & the Nation »

Reader Interactions

277Comments

  1. 1.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    From the Post,

    The president will say that he inherited “a nation in crisis”: “The worst pandemic in a century. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.”
    “Now — after just 100 days — I can report to the nation: America is on the move again,” one excerpt of the speech reads. “Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength.”

  2. 2.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    We all know how much better the State of he Union is now than it was three months ago.

  3. 3.

    Another Scott

    April 28, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Reuters already has their spin on the highlights.

    FWIW.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  4. 4.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    Tim Scott is either delusional or a stone cold liar. Or both. Which is roughly equivalent to saying that he’s a Republican.

    The excerpts suggest Scott will blame Democrats for the nation feeling “so divided and anxious” and will say the nation’s “best future won’t come from Washington schemes or socialist dreams.”

  5. 5.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 8:38 pm

    I hope Joe takes the opportunity to condemn trickle down.

  6. 6.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 8:39 pm

    @dmsilev:

    It’s true though. We refuse to lose elections, forcing Republicans into division.

  7. 7.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 8:41 pm

    Biden motorcade now en route to the Capitol

  8. 8.

    Frankensteinbeck

    April 28, 2021 at 8:45 pm

    @dmsilev:

    If you’re a white supremacist, that all reads as honesty.  It’s the Other’s fault for existing, and the best future is a heirarchy where the government stands back and lets everyone hurt everyone less ‘normal’ than themselves as much as they like.

  9. 9.

    Cheryl Rofer

    April 28, 2021 at 8:45 pm

    Looks like even Lauren Boebert is wearing a mask.

  10. 10.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    @Frankensteinbeck: As many many people have pointed out, it’s classic abuser behavior. “See what you made me do! I had no choice but to hit you.”

  11. 11.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer: A Hannibal Lecter special, I hope?

  12. 12.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer: I will imagine that it’s because Pelosi pulled her aside, showed her the staple gun, and said “It’s staying on your face one way or the other.”

  13. 13.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    @Ken: Little-known fact: Nancy Pelosi can hurl her gavel and, like Mjolnir, it will return to her hand after striking its target.

  14. 14.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    April 28, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    Scott will blame Democrats for the nation feeling “so divided and anxious” and will say the nation’s “best future won’t come from Washington schemes or socialist dreams.”

    I’m a political junkie, and this is the first time I can remember Tim Scott getting any national media attention in the eight years he’s occupied a seat in the Senate

  15. 15.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    Jill!

  16. 16.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Yeah, he’s also negotiating with the Dems on the George Floyd bill.

  17. 17.

    Gravenstone

    April 28, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    @Ken: Superglue. That way it only bleeds if she tries to pull it off.

  18. 18.

    Cheryl Rofer

    April 28, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    Jill Biden has a great dress! As usual.

  19. 19.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    @Baud:   Jill looks beautiful.  As always.

    I iz excited to watch this.  With the masks, only Cabinet member I recognized was Tony Blinken (and was it??)

  20. 20.

    Eljai

    April 28, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    I’m just so damn grateful that I can look at Joe, Nancy and Kamala tonight, instead of, you know.

  21. 21.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:00 pm

    God, Pelosi must be so happy to have Kamala up there after two years of Pence.

  22. 22.

    Ohio Mom

    April 28, 2021 at 9:02 pm

    Where is everybody? So many empty seats.

  23. 23.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    I guess the official WH stream doesn’t start until Joe Biden actually makes his entrance?

    Edit: It’s live now.

  24. 24.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    @Ohio Mom:

    Some people coming in, but it’s definitely emptier than I thought it would be.

  25. 25.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    @Baud: “The worst part was the flies….”

  26. 26.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    @Ohio Mom:  COVID limits on audience size. Plus I think some Republicans decided not to attend just because they’re whiny little babies.

  27. 27.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    April 28, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    @Elizabelle: Blinken and Austin

    It was fun watching McCarthy and Liz Cheney walk in together, knowing they hate each other, and they both know she could swallow him whole

    (anybody else hear the mikes pick up people gossiping about Elliot Engel? why?

    ETA: Was Engel one of  those who always camped out early to get a seat where he could shake hands with the POTUS, any POTUS?)

    Joe shakes hands with Liz Cheney

  28. 28.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    @Ken:

    I would have guessed the worst part was Pence.

  29. 29.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    Joe!

  30. 30.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    Have any previous SotUs (or equivalents) had a real-time ASL interpreter? Obviously not something TFG would give a rats ass about, but I don’t remember Obama having a signer for any of his speeches.

  31. 31.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    @Ohio Mom: We discussed this in the “Psyops” thread. Consensus (well, the idea I pushed, which is close enough) is that a lot of the Republicans are, ahem, helping the authorities with their investigation of the January insurrection.

  32. 32.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    “Madame Speaker. Madame Vice President.”

  33. 33.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    If a lot of Republicans skipped this one, the air is fresher in that chamber.

    Leahey looked chipper.  Stay healthy, dude.

  34. 34.

    mdblanche

    April 28, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    “Madame Speaker, Madame Vice President…”

  35. 35.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    Second G.

  36. 36.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Joe shakes hands with Liz Cheney

    Simultaneously looks bipartisan and utterly destroys her with the MAGAt faction. Subtle but a masterstroke.

  37. 37.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    Crisis and Opportunity.

    99 days in.

  38. 38.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 9:10 pm

    @Ohio Mom

    Previously announced it was agreed the in-person attendance would be limited to 200.

  39. 39.

    Mike in NC

    April 28, 2021 at 9:10 pm

    What a freaking bullet we dodged in November.

  40. 40.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    @Mike in NC: Yep. I just hope that feeling lasts in November 2022 and 2024.

  41. 41.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    Morning in America

  42. 42.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    How do we know that the American Rescue Plan was a success? Republicans are already claiming credit for parts of it, despite the inconvenient fact that they all voted against it.

  43. 43.

    JoyceH

    April 28, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    Does anyone else love the thought of Trump sitting in Mar A Lago, watching this – and unable to tweet?

  44. 44.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 28, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    @Mike in NC: We didn’t dodge a bullet.  We worked hard for a result.  There is a difference.

  45. 45.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    “Go get vaccinated, America”. Biden’s subtle plan to decimate the ranks of Republicans continues.

  46. 46.

    steppy

    April 28, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    Thanks, Rafael, for applauding getting vaccinated. You’re still an asshole though.

  47. 47.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    I bet he completely ignores the Dr. Suess issue completely.

  48. 48.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    @JoyceH: Sweet, sweet schadenfreude.

  49. 49.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    April 28, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    @Mike in NC:

    I’ve often wondered if Joe’s son Beau hadn’t died in 2015 and Joe had decided to run, won the nomination, that he could’ve beaten Trump and spared us the last 4 years

  50. 50.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    Every vaccine shot “A dose of hope.”

    For sure.

  51. 51.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):

    It took a shitload of effort to defeat Hillary.  So probably.

  52. 52.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 28, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):  The Clinton vs Biden fight would have been brutal.

  53. 53.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    Logistical achievements.  True.

  54. 54.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    This is so great!!!

    Here I go with the freaking tears….. Of joy!!!

    Love Joe’s tone. Voice.

  55. 55.

    steppy

    April 28, 2021 at 9:16 pm

    @JoyceH: It’s just wonderful not to have to think of TFG. Sweet, sweet silence.

  56. 56.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    @Quinerly:   President Biden is balm for the soul.

    His gentle and calm voice.  The lack of bloviating.

  57. 57.

    Steeplejack

    April 28, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    I am luxuriating in the feeling that I may not have to sit through this whole speech. Joe’s got it going on, and I’m not sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for some “American carnage” stink bomb to drop. I have acknowledged two women of power flanking the president, and I can always catch the details later. Ah, life after the Former Guy. Bliss.

  58. 58.

    Chief Oshkosh

    April 28, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    Why is the signer so angry?

  59. 59.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    Bold move:

    Biden just traded Bernie Sanders to the Raiders for three number one draft picks.

  60. 60.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    April 28, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I hadn’t thought of that angle. You’re probably right

    @Baud:

    I think he definitely would’ve beaten Trump. The Russian disinformation didn’t seem to work the last time around

  61. 61.

    Wag

    April 28, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    Kevin McCarty’s eyes just said “The GQP is so fucked…”

  62. 62.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    @Elizabelle: this is a very good speech.

    Plus, I have had a bit of a crush on Joe for 20 years. ?

  63. 63.

    JanieM

    April 28, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    @Chief Oshkosh: I can’t tell if you’re joking or not. If not, here’s an article about facial expressions in signing.

  64. 64.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    Americans don’t have to watch Joe Biden through their fingers.  Unlike … the previous interloper, who shall not be named.

    He connects with [sane] Americans listening, I am sure of it.  All of the points he has mentioned:  they resonate; they are day to day concerns.

  65. 65.

    Cheryl Rofer

    April 28, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    Twitter is surprisingly boring. For one of TFG’s speeches, the tweets just streamed down the page.

  66. 66.

    Splitting Image

    April 28, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    @JoyceH:

    Does anyone else love the thought of Trump sitting in Mar A Lago, watching this – and unable to tweet?

    Oh, yeah, baby.

    Until he moves to Jersey, anyway. And sits wherever one sits in New Jersey, unable to tweet.

  67. 67.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    @dmsilev: “Go get vaccinated, America”.

    I’m seeing and hearing a lot of ads with that theme, and they’re not all government PSAs.  I think a large chunk of corporate America is pushing vaccination, for obvious reasons.

  68. 68.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    “our grids are vulnerable to storms, and hacks”

    he called out Ted Cruz, right to his face​​

  69. 69.

    Steeplejack

    April 28, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President. Madame is for French ladies, artistes and occultists.

  70. 70.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):

    The Russian disinformation didn’t seem to work the last time around

     
    Not a good comparison because we had the experience of 2016.

  71. 71.

    MagdaInBlack

    April 28, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    @Quinerly: ( me too ) ?

  72. 72.

    laura

    April 28, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    Let Us Savor! This is a most excellent address to the American public.

  73. 73.

    MagdaInBlack

    April 28, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch:  I heard that.  ” ..Like Texas and other places.”  Ted prob didn’t clap for that.

  74. 74.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer: “Make Government Boring Again” was one hell of a compelling slogan for Biden and his team.

  75. 75.

    gwangung

    April 28, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    @Baud: Actually, I’m thinking the Russian campaign was to energize the Trump only voters. They may have succeeded in that.

  76. 76.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    WHY WON’T BIDEN THINK OF THE RATINGS???!!!

  77. 77.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    Somewhat disappointing:

    His infrastructure plan doesn’t address how to improve the ratings of the Oscars’ broadcast

  78. 78.

    Bluegirlfromwyo

    April 28, 2021 at 9:27 pm

    For the first time in four years, I can be confident in a (quasi) SOTU that can’t be torn up nor will give advice to shine a light bulb up my ass. Thank you President Biden!

  79. 79.

    gwangung

    April 28, 2021 at 9:27 pm

    @dmsilev: Being competent and effective is far from boring for me.

  80. 80.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:27 pm

    “Unions built the middle class.”

  81. 81.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 9:27 pm

    Are Fox and its ilk screaming that Pelosi and Harris aren’t six feet apart?

  82. 82.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    @Steeplejack: Madame is for French ladies, artistes and occultists.

    Also brothel managers and dominatrices, unless they are subcategories of artistes.  And do not forget Waylon Jenning’s puppet.

  83. 83.

    steppy

    April 28, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    He’s preaching to this member of the choir, but I love this speech.

  84. 84.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    Captain America

  85. 85.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    Lots of China references.  That’ll get noticed.

  86. 86.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    @Steeplejack

    And a certain sammich.

  87. 87.

    Steeplejack

    April 28, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    @Ken:

    Point taken.

  88. 88.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    @Baud: ​
      I didn’t expect him to bring up marriage, tonight.

  89. 89.

    steppy

    April 28, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    @Ken: Have to correct there, it’s Wayland Flowers and Madame.

  90. 90.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    April 28, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch: There’s only so much that even the President can do.

  91. 91.

    Brachiator

    April 28, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch:

    Biden just traded Bernie Sanders to the Raiders for three number one draft picks.

    Impossible. Bernie ain’t worth three number one picks.

    But the Raiders could be that dumb.

  92. 92.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    The GOP is now officially pro-cancer.

  93. 93.

    Frankensteinbeck

    April 28, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    @Steeplejack: ​

    Madame is for French ladies, artistes and occultists.

    All of which are good, but not Pelosi or Harris.​
    EDIT – @Ken: ​
    Again, also good, but still not Pelosi or Harris.

  94. 94.

    Joe Falco

    April 28, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    Biden is showing the way that the US government can and will work for the betterment of all Americans despite the years the Right has spent painting the government as a boogeyman.

  95. 95.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 28, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: ​
      BULLY PULPIT!!!!!!!

  96. 96.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    April 28, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    @Baud:

    Beijing Biden!!!1! /s

  97. 97.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    Memo to Susan Collins et al: “We’ve seen the game you play.”

  98. 98.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 28, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    Has anyone noticed how normal-sized Biden’s hand are?

  99. 99.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    “And the dawn comes up like thunder, outta China, ‘cross the bay”

    Biden being very poetic

  100. 100.

    rikyrah

    April 28, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    90% of the jobs don’t require a college degree

    75% of the jobs don’t require an Associates degree

  101. 101.

    Cheryl Rofer

    April 28, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    @Baud: No, ending cancer was the one thing they’ve applauded so far

  102. 102.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    Love Jill’s matching mask.

    And yea to community colleges!!

  103. 103.

    rikyrah

    April 28, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    Backing unions

  104. 104.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer: Give it a day.

  105. 105.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    Jill looking fabulous in a sheer, floral top

  106. 106.

    Doc Sardonic

    April 28, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    @Ken: Waylon Jennings’ puppet was a Fender Telecaster. Wayland Flowers had Madame

  107. 107.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    @steppy: Oops.  Should have googled instead of relying on my memory of a (googles, hears the rumble of time’s winged chariot) 45-year-old novelty act.

  108. 108.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    @MagdaInBlack: he reminds me quite a bit (looks dept, mannerisms) of one of my favorite boyfriends from 20 years ago. I know it sounds silly…. But… It makes me smile when I see him. Was thrilled when Obama picked him for his running mate.

    This is a very good speech…..

  109. 109.

    Another Scott

    April 28, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    @rikyrah: +1

    It’s great that he’s explicitly spelled that out.

    I also like him emphasizing the importance of research.  A DARPA for health at NIH is a great idea.

    I especially like that he hasn’t apologized for how much this will cost.  For too long the “cost-benefit analysis” has only been about costs.  He’s stressing the benefits and the needs.  It’s smart.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  110. 110.

    Steeplejack

    April 28, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Seems like less traffic than usual even here on Balloon Juice for a presidential speech. Ah, normalcy (at least for a while).

  111. 111.

    bbleh

    April 28, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    @JoyceH: @dmsilev: @steppy: Having seen recent pictures, I seriously wonder whether he’d be capable of much.

  112. 112.

    Chief Oshkosh

    April 28, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    @JanieM: I was wondering why it was that in several instances Biden’s message was upbeat, but the signer was making harsh faces. I hadn’t seen that before. Thanks for the link.

  113. 113.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    April 28, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: They look huge.

  114. 114.

    steppy

    April 28, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    @Ken: Time’s winged chariot has run me over a few times also. I had to consult Wikipedia to get the spelling correct.

  115. 115.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    Please, Ms Harris, straighten your necklace.

  116. 116.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:40 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    Less to mock.

  117. 117.

    bbleh

    April 28, 2021 at 9:40 pm

    @rikyrah: yeah that was noticeable.  Good on him

  118. 118.

    randy khan

    April 28, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    I’m a political junkie, and this is the first time I can remember Tim Scott getting any national media attention in the eight years he’s occupied a seat in the Senate.

    Last year there was a brief flurry of attention when the Republicans put him “in charge” of their police “reform” bill.  When the Dems filibustered it, he gave a passionate speech about how terrible it was that they wouldn’t allow debate on a bill that did nothing useful.

    This looks like more of the same – he’s basically allowing himself to be used to give more credibility to standard Republican talking points.

  119. 119.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    April 28, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    Sure, Mr. President, what about non-prescription drugs?

  120. 120.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    From the Post’s commentary:

    I’m enjoying the Appeal To Bipartisanship portion of the speech! Biden would like to hear ideas that are different, as long as the idea is not “do nothing,” he says. This may actually narrow it down!

    (Alexandra Petri, in case it wasn’t obvious)

  121. 121.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: I tend to agree. ?

  122. 122.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    CBS’s camera captures Senator Sadler and Congressman Waldorf looking stunned (photo)

  123. 123.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    @randy khan:

    Dems on TV seem optimistic about negotiating with Scott.  We’ll see.

  124. 124.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: Don Jr. definitely needs price support for his cocaine habit.

  125. 125.

    TS (the original)

    April 28, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    I have acknowledged two women of power flanking the president,

    I am reminded of the power behind the throne

  126. 126.

    Mike in NC

    April 28, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    Camera caught Ted Cruz for a second. I hope the US Marshals are standing by to grab him.

  127. 127.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    Glad Joe brings up how to pay for his plans.  You know it’s what the cable mediots were about to hit all of his surrogates with.

    I am glad Joe is going after corporate America’s tax-avoiding habits and practices.

  128. 128.

    Brachiator

    April 28, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    Seems like less traffic than usual even here on Balloon Juice for a presidential speech. Ah, normalcy (at least for a while).

    I’m finishing up work and about to have dinner.

    The crazy thing is I’ve seen some outline of what Biden wants to do, and support it, so I feel that I can just relax and know that things are under control.

    So I am not hanging onto every word, and certainly don’t have any of the unease that might attend some of the Former Guy’s crap.

    I will, as usual, avoid pundits, because they really are useless.

  129. 129.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    Is it fair that people in America pay more for meth than people overseas – I think not

  130. 130.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    Someone forgot to turn off their ringer.

  131. 131.

    Mike in NC

    April 28, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    Biden really is pitching a New Deal 2.0 and it’s great.

  132. 132.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    I like how he frames “low capital gains tax rate” as a loophole that needs to be closed.

  133. 133.

    Steeplejack

    April 28, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    @Baud:

    Less ?, more ?.

  134. 134.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch: Especially since it is the primary industry in many rural counties dotted across our fair nation.

  135. 135.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    Stick a stake in the corpse of Reagan. Find Laffer and stick a stake in him as well.

  136. 136.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    Debbie will be happy.  Slam of trickle down.

  137. 137.

    Joe Falco

    April 28, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    Biden is taking back the phrase “fiscal responsibility” from the Right and putting “trickle down economics” in the grave where it needs to stay.

  138. 138.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    Another nail in Saint Reagan’s coffin.

    Trickle down has never worked.  You build out from the middle class.  True.

  139. 139.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    He just kicked trickle-down in the groin

  140. 140.

    Cheryl Rofer

    April 28, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Someone on this site was asking earlier today for Joe to take down “trickle down.” He just did that, rather thoroughly.

  141. 141.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    In other words, don’t elect Republicans, America.

  142. 142.

    rikyrah

    April 28, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    Doing nothing is NOT AN OPTION???

  143. 143.

    Another Scott

    April 28, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    “America is back, we’re back to stay, and we’re not going to be alone.”

    Good, good.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  144. 144.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    So that’s Biden’s plan to overcome vaccine resistance: Tell the GOPpers that he’s going to send all of the excess to dirty stinking furriners.

    (autocorrect wanted ‘furriers’. For all I know, that might also work)

  145. 145.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    Masterpiece Theater has a current serial on FDR’s tender love affair with Princess Martha

    Kyle MacLachlan, who portrays Roosevelt, would make a perfect Biden in future films (photo)

  146. 146.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    Propose a Red White and Blue Plate program – a subsidy targeted for diners located between the Appalachians and the Rockies.

    Even the seediest of Rs will be struck dumb.

    //

  147. 147.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    Little bit of the stutter leaked through there.

  148. 148.

    rikyrah

    April 28, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch:

    Still think Captain America is perfect to play 46

  149. 149.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    @Mike in NC: this is a FABULOUS speech.

  150. 150.

    O. Felix Culpa

    April 28, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    Calling out Putin and election interference.

  151. 151.

    raven

    April 28, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch:  We just finished it. It’s ok, not great, just ok.

  152. 152.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    Russia “concerns some of you.” Hmmm.

  153. 153.

    O. Felix Culpa

    April 28, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    Ending the “forever war” in Afghanistan.

  154. 154.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    @Baud: Playing on multiple meanings of “concerns”?  Or the ambiguity of whether “Russia” means the country, or the ongoing investigation?

  155. 155.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    @O. Felix Culpa:   And it gets a partial and quick standing ovation.  By a few Democrats.  Including Nancy Smash.

  156. 156.

    O. Felix Culpa

    April 28, 2021 at 9:55 pm

    White supremacy is terrorism. We’re not going to ignore that either.

  157. 157.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 9:55 pm

    “White supremacy is terrorism”.

    Yes.

  158. 158.

    Joe Falco

    April 28, 2021 at 9:55 pm

    @NotMax:

    Propose a Red White and Blue Plate program – a subsidy targeted for diners located between the Appalachians and the Rockies.

    “A Grand Slam on every table! With a bottle of US-made maple syrup on the side!”

  159. 159.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    White supremacy.

    Drink.

    Gianna Floyd.  Sweet little girl we know of through tragedy.

  160. 160.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    White supremacy is terrorism.

  161. 161.

    Cheryl Rofer

    April 28, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    @Elizabelle: He’s not letting the applause go on for long. Getting the job done without fanfare.

  162. 162.

    steppy

    April 28, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    Excellent segue between the two bitter flavors of terrorism.

  163. 163.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 9:58 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer

    “Trickle down has had barely 50 years to work its magic. Biden wants to strangle it prematurely.”

    //

  164. 164.

    TS (the original)

    April 28, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    Folks are listening to the speech rather than rage tweeting

  165. 165.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    94-1.  Fuck you, Hawley.

  166. 166.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    @Baud:

    Damn. I was washing dishes. Hope there’s a clip on the news.

  167. 167.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    Transgender call out.

  168. 168.

    rikyrah

    April 28, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch:

    I forgot the title.of.the Bill Murray as FDR  movie, but what stunned me about it was that FDR was a HO. It was way beyond Lucy Mercer. The man had a woman for everyday of the week, and THEY ALL KNEW ABOUT EACH OTHER?

  169. 169.

    Joe Falco

    April 28, 2021 at 10:01 pm

    When Biden said the 94 – 1 vote on the Asian-American anti-hate bill, the camera should have panned to the one “No” vote, Hawley. Did anyone see if Hawley is there?

  170. 170.

    bbleh

    April 28, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Lauren Boebert stands for 250 people being killed

  171. 171.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Deer wearing Kevlar vests?

  172. 172.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 28, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Christ, this is good. Tone, substance, total package.

  173. 173.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 10:04 pm

    George Takei

    @GeorgeTakei

    “The Republicans don’t look happy about lowering prescription drug prices, cutting child poverty in half, or raising taxes on big corporations.
    Jill Biden ought to go up to some of them and tell them they should smile more.”

  174. 174.

    Another Scott

    April 28, 2021 at 10:05 pm

    Popehat’s* screaming – I can hear him from here.

    Cheers,
    Scott.
    * – “can’t yell fire in a crowded theater”…

  175. 175.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 28, 2021 at 10:05 pm

    Is Ted Cruz starting to morph into an evil Mr. Toad?

  176. 176.

    bbleh

    April 28, 2021 at 10:05 pm

    @Joe Falco: can’t imagine Hawley is there. A lot of them decided not to try to go because freedom, or maybe childish petulance…

  177. 177.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 10:06 pm

    I love Joe’s tone of voice. It’s Dad, sitting the country down and explaining how the world ought to work.

  178. 178.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 10:06 pm

    @bbleh: Did she do a fist-pump?

  179. 179.

    Suzanne

    April 28, 2021 at 10:07 pm

    Let’s make Ted CRUZ falling asleep go viral.

  180. 180.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    April 28, 2021 at 10:07 pm

    @Suzanne:

    Sleepy Ted Cruz!

  181. 181.

    david

    April 28, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    I’m damn glad I didn’t choose to take a shot every time Uncle Joe said, “Look”.

  182. 182.

    dmsilev

    April 28, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    “Can our democracy overcome the existence of the modern Republican Party?”

  183. 183.

    Mary G

    April 28, 2021 at 10:09 pm

    I just woke up from a much-needed nap and missed the whole thing. Sounds great and I will watch it later.

    The foreign policy part of this speech is basically Biden saying that he's had to tell Putin and Xi that the free ride they got from Trump is over.— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) April 29, 2021

  184. 184.

    bbleh

    April 28, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    1/6 insurrectionists support hostile foreign autocrats

  185. 185.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    The autocrats of the world.  An honorary jackal.

    Aaron Sorkin is staring at this.  A West Wing speech, in real life.

    Wondering what the progressive Dem giving the response will say.

  186. 186.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    April 28, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Starting?

  187. 187.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    Really happy he’s talking about the insurrection.  Too easy for you many to forget.

  188. 188.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    E Pleb Nista!

    ;)

  189. 189.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 28, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: ​
      Good point.

  190. 190.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    Stared into the abyss of insurrection and autocracy, of pandemic and pain …

  191. 191.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    Woo hoo!

  192. 192.

    Gin & Tonic

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    I’m glad we elected this guy.

  193. 193.

    Mary G

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    America is a nation, not an idea.— Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) April 29, 2021

    It’s both. And the fact that so many of us have bought in on the idea of America goes a long way in explaining why Joe Biden got 7 million more votes than his opponent. https://t.co/8as6aqY8ld— Tim Miller (@Timodc) April 29, 2021

  194. 194.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    This is Jimmy Stewart, convincing the townsfolk not to fall for Potter’s bullshit.

  195. 195.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    @Suzanne: Photoshop a little bubble over sleepy Cruz, dreaming of Cancun Cruz on a beach in his travel outfit.

  196. 196.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    @rikyrah: Hyde Park on Hudson?

    pat on the back from Bernie Sanders and a double fist bump with Maxine Waters

    ETA: Bernie just following him around

  197. 197.

    Another Scott

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    Great speech.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  198. 198.

    Jeffro

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    @NotMax: pure NYTimesPitchbot a la DougJ there  ;)

  199. 199.

    M31

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    love these elbow bumps

  200. 200.

    Joe Falco

    April 28, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    “It’s not a good bet to bet against America!” That’s a hell of a line to end his speech on!

  201. 201.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 10:13 pm

    How’s mom?

  202. 202.

    PJ

    April 28, 2021 at 10:13 pm

    That was a really good speech.  It’s not going to change the mind of any Republican in Congress, but I hope it reaches some non-Democratic voters out there that have not been consumed by the Fox hate machine.

  203. 203.

    Tazj

    April 28, 2021 at 10:14 pm

    Lindsay Graham looks thrilled and you can tell he’s supportive of the president’s speech.
    Fairly short and sweet compared to many of these speeches.
    I wish the press would go after Republicans for their reluctance to vote for an assault weapons ban as much as they go after Biden for not uniting the country. Or ask Republicans why they aren’t enthused for the cut in child poverty.

  204. 204.

    jackmac

    April 28, 2021 at 10:14 pm

    Awesome speech. It’s wonderful to have a real president again.

  205. 205.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 10:14 pm

    Chief Justice Roberts (grudgingly?) gave a golf clap to the concept of America.

  206. 206.

    cain

    April 28, 2021 at 10:14 pm

    I got the last 10 minutes or so. Good stuff.

  207. 207.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:14 pm

    Love C-Span.  You can hear the politicians talking.

    President Joe to someone a few rows up:  “How’s Mom?  Give her my love.”

  208. 208.

    Jeffro

    April 28, 2021 at 10:15 pm

    @Mary G: yeah if America was an idea, it would quickly lapse into something like…like THREE ideas…like ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ or something!  Rich is spot-on!!  Also, today is opposite day.

  209. 209.

    Cheryl Rofer

    April 28, 2021 at 10:15 pm

    Bernie looks genuinely affectionate toward Joe.

  210. 210.

    CaseyL

    April 28, 2021 at 10:15 pm

    An excellent speech.  Big time liberalism is back, baby!  If we work very hard and are very lucky, we might be able to claw back some of the enormous ground lost since 1980.

    And he was very diplomatic to and about the GQP.  Keeping his promise to never publicly humiliate them.

  211. 211.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    “speech was Rooseveltian in size and scope”

    ~ Brian Williams

  212. 212.

    mrmoshpotato

    April 28, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Sleepy Shithead Ted!

  213. 213.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 10:17 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer: I caught that too.

  214. 214.

    schrodingers_cat

    April 28, 2021 at 10:17 pm

    What did I miss? I only caught the last 5 minutes.

  215. 215.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 10:17 pm

    @PJ:

    I’m listening to that machine. What jackasses.

  216. 216.

    Jeffro

    April 28, 2021 at 10:18 pm

    I see no indications that the Republicans are ready to surrender, or even quit getting rolled like the rubes that they are.

    Sounds good to me!  Keep opposing things like health care, jobs, equality under the law, and so forth, GQP.  This country has been stuck at 50-50 for far too long and it looks like you’re helping us get off that divide.  Might be the only thing we have to thank you for, actually…

  217. 217.

    Kristine

    April 28, 2021 at 10:18 pm

    Watching MSNBC. Rachel said that the speech was half written/half ad lib.

  218. 218.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 10:18 pm

    @Joe Falco:

    And not a single moment of self-fluffing!

  219. 219.

    Joe Falco

    April 28, 2021 at 10:19 pm

    Chris Christie, showing his usual amount of class, compared Biden’s speech to that of a 15-year-old’s. Good lord, what a sack of crap.

  220. 220.

    PJ

    April 28, 2021 at 10:19 pm

    @Mary G: ​
      Lowry is what passes for a Republican “intellectual” these days, and his denial that America, to Americans, is an idea, and is rooted in ideals, is an indicator of how far Republicans have fallen from belief in this country in 40 years. Reagan (who I have zero fondness for and little good to say about) would have denounced him. But the Republican party is straight up white nationalism these days, and Lowry is flying the flag.

  221. 221.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    April 28, 2021 at 10:19 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: He announced that all the Republicans are being arrested as they leave the chamber. /

    On a serious note, in my late reading of an earlier thread, I read that your husband’s aunt passed, my condolences.

  222. 222.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    April 28, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    @Joe Falco: Yes, but a very large sack of crap.

  223. 223.

    sdhays

    April 28, 2021 at 10:21 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch: Wasn’t it Senator Daines of Montana that was recently bitching about how Montanans are now importing meth from Mexico instead of buying wholesome American-made meth?

    Damn NAFTA.

  224. 224.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 28, 2021 at 10:21 pm

    I think that this speech could well end up in history books as a truly monumental occasion.

  225. 225.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:21 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:   You will love watching this one at your leisure on C-Span.  Or just listening.

  226. 226.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 10:21 pm

    Who’s the woman wearing the red jacket who gave Joe her card?

  227. 227.

    bbleh

    April 28, 2021 at 10:21 pm

    @Ken: Didn’t have to.  He talks about gun loopholes and 250 people being killed aaaaand … CNN cuts to Boebert.

    Rhetorically this was a VERY clever speech …

  228. 228.

    dww44

    April 28, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    @Tazj: Re Lindsay. You may be right in the moment but color me a non- believer. Lindsay s stripes constantly change.  I do not trust him.

  229. 229.

    O. Felix Culpa

    April 28, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    From Trevor Noah, Daniel Dale during Biden’s speech.

  230. 230.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 10:23 pm

    @Joe Falco: ​
      Typical Christie, burning and closing bridges

  231. 231.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 10:23 pm

    @David The Establishment Koch

    Numerically obsessed Williams saving the “Biden’s joint address clocked in at [X] minutes, the [Y} longest of any president. Our panel of experts will discuss what this means on the other side of this break” for his own show.

  232. 232.

    schrodingers_cat

    April 28, 2021 at 10:23 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: Thanks it hasn’t really sunk in. It was rather quick.

  233. 233.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 10:24 pm

    @debbie: ​
     Kelly LeBrock

  234. 234.

    Sister Golden Bear

    April 28, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    Walking the talk.

    16 year-old Stella Keating, a young trans woman who testified before the U.S. Senate in support of the Equality Act, will be among First Lady Dr. Biden’s select invited guests at President Biden’s joint address to Congress this evening. Elections matter. ?️‍⚧️❤️
    — Charlotte Clymer ?️‍? (@cmclymer) April 28, 2021

    Much needed after West Virginia (by god)’s governor signed into law a bill that bans trans girl/women athletes from playing on women’s sports teams in public middle schools, high schools and universities.

    Yeah, it’s a small thing, but believe me it makes a big difference. Now why it so dusting in here, and who’s been chopping onions?

  235. 235.

    mrmoshpotato

    April 28, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    @bbleh:

    Didn’t have to.  He talks about gun loopholes and 250 people being killed aaaaand … CNN cuts to Boebert. 

    C-SPAN too.

  236. 236.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    Fireside chat style. — description of Biden’s speech; not your usual SOTU-y oratory.

    Tim Scott up in a few on C-Span.  I forgot he was first appointed Senator (by Nikki Haley) to replace Jim DeMint (remember him??)

  237. 237.

    Tazj

    April 28, 2021 at 10:26 pm

    @dww44: I was trying to be funny.He looked to me like most Republicans tonight,  angry and unwilling  to applaud for anything.

  238. 238.

    Mary G

    April 28, 2021 at 10:26 pm

    Love Kamala and NANCY SMASH in the seats of power. They kind of look like they’re doing a safe gender reveal. Kamala’s gold blouse is major and this picture of Moscow Mitch having to walk behind her gives me so MUCH joy:

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

  239. 239.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 10:26 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: one of the best speeches I have heard. Apparently, large portions were ad libbed.

  240. 240.

    Baud

    April 28, 2021 at 10:27 pm

    @Mary G:

     a safe gender reveal.

    No such thing.

  241. 241.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:28 pm

    Tim Scott.

    “Our president seems like a good man.”

    Emphasis on the seems.

    Anyway, TScott is still the saner of the two Senators from the Palmetto Asylum.

    Scott is lecturing us on “common ground.”

  242. 242.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 10:28 pm

    And now, South Carolina’s other bachelor senator.

    ;)

  243. 243.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    Scott lecturing that our schools should have opened months ago.  “Other countries’ schools are open.”

    Um, Tim …

  244. 244.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    @Elizabelle

    Many steps up from four years of Liarside Chats.

  245. 245.

    zhena gogolia

    April 28, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:

    You should watch the whole thing. It’s very inspiring.

  246. 246.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    @NotMax:   Laughing.  Forgot about that.

  247. 247.

    Geeno

    April 28, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:  It would have sucked all the oxygen from the R side – I bet Trump has trouble getting media in that scenario. It would have been Joe vs Hillary DEMS in DISARRAY 24/7. Weirdly that could well have worked to our advantage.

  248. 248.

    zhena gogolia

    April 28, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    @O. Felix Culpa:

    lol

  249. 249.

    zhena gogolia

    April 28, 2021 at 10:32 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:

    I’m really sorry.

  250. 250.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    April 28, 2021 at 10:33 pm

    @NotMax: party of family values sure have trouble joining a family

  251. 251.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:33 pm

    “Liberal Wish List of wasteful spending… job-killing tax hikes.”

    “From the cradle to college.”

    Tim Scott thinks that should be up to families.  Um, Tim …

    Funding abortions.  Packing the Supreme Court!  And now, addressing the problem of race … progressives are calling him the N word and something else.  Really??

  252. 252.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 10:34 pm

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch:

    Who let her in?  //

  253. 253.

    Elizabelle

    April 28, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    new thread

  254. 254.

    debbie

    April 28, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:

    So sorry to read of your and your husband’s loss.

  255. 255.

    PJ

    April 28, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    @dww44: ​
      If you’ve seen clips of Graham speaking about Biden before 45’s reign of error, he genuinely likes him and respects him. But Trump and the Russians have got him by the short and curlies now, and, if anything, Graham will denounce this speech tomorrow.

  256. 256.

    dww44

    April 28, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    @Tazj: oh, dense me.  I should have known his stripes aren’t that chameleon like.

  257. 257.

    Chief Oshkosh

    April 28, 2021 at 10:39 pm

    @Jeffro: Excellent points expressed well. Thanks.

  258. 258.

    dww44

    April 28, 2021 at 10:41 pm

    @PJ: I agree. He’s long publicly owned up to Biden’s genuine niceness.  I’m hoping  that niceness will ultimately break the back of the current GOP.

  259. 259.

    Steeplejack

    April 28, 2021 at 10:44 pm

    @Quinerly:

    Too bad Biden is senile and a verbal stumblebum.

  260. 260.

    Kay

    April 28, 2021 at 10:45 pm

    @Joe Falco:

    Chris Christie managed to go from being a popular governor to the least popular governor in the country by the time he cleared out. The more time people spent around him the less they liked him.

    14%. One state. Yet they have him on these shows like he’s some incredible national success. It’s nonsense. It’s based on absolutely nothing.

    After several scandals, including the criminal convictions of two of his top aides, and a failed 2016 presidential bid, Christie has just a 14% approval rating and is widely disliked in his own state and party.

    The embattled Andrew Cuomo will most likely leave office 3X more popular than Chris Christie.

  261. 261.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    April 28, 2021 at 10:49 pm

    @Kay: Morbidly obese and asthmatic, he decided to tempt fate by attending maskless meetings and parties with trump and their fellow morons. He quite literally damn near died from stupidity and fealty to trump.

  262. 262.

    PJ

    April 28, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    @Kay: ​
      The media loves the image of a wise Daddy Republican leading the country to prosperity through tax cuts – currently they are trying to turn De Santis into one – and, because Christie is not insane and not entirely stupid (unlike De Santis), they still imagine him in that role, even though pretty no much no Republican outside of the media ever considers the Outlaw Jersey Whale for any kind of national role in the future.

  263. 263.

    Kay

    April 28, 2021 at 10:56 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    They could randomly pick just about any current or former governor and they’d have one who is more popular than Chris Christie.  So they hired him to critique more successful pols? It’s mystifying. He’s nearly uniquely unqualified to offer advice to Joe Biden, or anyone, really.

  264. 264.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 10:57 pm

    @CaseyL: Keeping his promise to never publicly humiliate them.

    There are any number of fake Sun Tzu and Machiavelli quotes along the lines of “when your enemy is making a mistake, don’t interfere”.

  265. 265.

    Ken

    April 28, 2021 at 10:58 pm

    @NotMax: Numerically obsessed Williams

    Sounds like he would have been happier as a baseball announcer.

  266. 266.

    NotMax

    April 28, 2021 at 11:02 pm

    @Ken

    Can’t say whether he’d have been happier. However, we would have been.

    ;)

  267. 267.

    rikyrah

    April 28, 2021 at 11:02 pm

    @debbie:

    ?????

  268. 268.

    Kay

    April 28, 2021 at 11:03 pm

    @PJ:

    I can’t believe they’re giving him a giant free platform to run for President. I know he needs the assist! But why are they giving it to him?

    Honestly, this person had a shot. He completely and all by himself blew it, solely thru his own actions.

  269. 269.

    rikyrah

    April 28, 2021 at 11:05 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:

    Oh SC,

    I am so sorry for your loss??

  270. 270.

    Misterpuff

    April 28, 2021 at 11:07 pm

    @PJ: Yeah, I guess the Shining City On A Hill is now a ghetto in the American Carnage Zone.

  271. 271.

    Quinerly

    April 28, 2021 at 11:16 pm

    @Steeplejack: and what’s this I am reading on the RW sites about Jill screwing around on him? And he is clueless with AOC and Kamala controlling him.

  272. 272.

    PJ

    April 28, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    @Kay: ​
      I think it’s probably both the dearth of sane Republicans who can make empty horseshit seem like serious responsibility to network commentators and Christie’s long proximity to New York’s network offices and media attention that gives him the nod for these kinds of TV gigs. Despite his frequent humiliation by *****, and his servile deference to *****, in the eyes of Chuck Tood, or whomever, Christie will always be a Serious Daddy who can be counted on to point out the weakness and fecklessness of Democrats.

  273. 273.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    April 28, 2021 at 11:34 pm

    @PJ: also, as desperately as Christie wanted to be trump’s Chief of Staff, under the theory that he would be the power behind the throne, once he got iced out by the Kushner Christie saw that trump didn’t allow for eminences grises, and like Nikki Haley, he took and kept his distance with an eye on his own future. Now here they both are, on the sidelines with all the goons like Hawley and Cruz who thought they’d become trump 2.0, all of them waiting to see what TFG will do.

  274. 274.

    Kayla Rudbek

    April 28, 2021 at 11:52 pm

    @Ken: Mr. Rudbek told me that Walgreens was running those type of ads…

  275. 275.

    Steeplejack

    April 28, 2021 at 11:53 pm

    @Quinerly:

    Inorite. ?

  276. 276.

    Ithink

    April 29, 2021 at 1:59 am

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):

    I’ve often wondered this myself! But considering how close the Electoral College margins were (again!) despite us getting SIXTEEN MILLION F’ING more popular votes in total (the largest sum in the republic’s history thus far) and Jim Clyburn’s Kiss of Life to a then thoroughly Zombified campaign, the conditions had to be heavenly divined in order for a candidate like Biden to breakthrough and finally win. Not to shade his longevity, experience or personal temperament but an unusual set of circumstances brought a fascist goon like Trump to the U.S. Presidency as another equally abnormal set kicked his sorry ass out (the hopefully once in a lifetime pandemic and thoroughly cratered economy assisted Democrats this time GREATLY)!

  277. 277.

    Ithink

    April 29, 2021 at 2:33 am

    @Joe Falco: 

    This is PROFOUNDLY disrespectful to sacks of crap that can be utilized as fertilizer for unbloomes crops! Will anybody think of our depleted food supplies?…

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