Delaney Welsh ’24
President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address, delivered on March 7, 2024, foregrounded the key issues that will be at the forefront of this year’s presidential election.
President Biden opened his speech with the dramatic sentiment that, “What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack — both at home and overseas at the very same time.” This claim was echoed throughout his address during which he voiced concerns over isolationist policies, hopes for job creation, and his opinions on taxes. Prominent focuses of the address included both defending his character and criticizing former president Donald Trump– who he refused to name, referring to him as “my predecessor” throughout the speech.
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The address was met with different reactions. Student leader of Young Democrats club, Conor Gaul ’24, remarked, “I think that in a time where Biden’s mental strength and resilience were being heavily questioned by the average electorate, he used the State of the Union to reaffirm his bid for reelection. He was not only witty but also fiercely condemned opposition in a manner he hasn’t in a long time. He tried to reset his public image into the man who beat President Trump in 2020, and I think he did it well. Now I don’t believe that this is nearly enough and the age of both candidates is extremely concerning to me, but at least Biden was able to show that he can be the fighter that people elected him to be.”
To Gaul’s point, President Biden’s age has proven to be an issue in the eyes of many United States citizens. In an effort to defend his age, Biden states, “My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy, a future based on core values that have defined America — honesty, decency, dignity, and equality —to respect everyone; to give everyone a fair shot; to give hate no safe harbor.” To finish his speech, Biden connected the controversy surrounding his age to the core values of America. He states, “My fellow Americans, the issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are; it’s how old are our ideas. Hate, anger, revenge, and retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done.”
The topics of the State of the Union Address were not limited to domestic issues. Rohan Sivakumar ’24 notes, “Though I’m not deeply entrenched in current political affairs, the 2024 presidential election strikes me as pivotal, especially considering the state of international affairs. With domestic crises and global conflicts at the forefront, the opportunity for substantial change looms large. NATO’s proposed $100 billion aid package for Ukraine reflects larger global concerns and potential shifts in American foreign policy, hinting at the significance of this election beyond national borders. I’m no expert, but it seems to me that the weight of this election extends far, shaping not just America’s future but also the trajectory of the international community.” Many responses to Biden’s address touched on his view of current foreign affairs, indicating that internationalist versus isolationist perspectives continue to divide voters.
Ava Roberts ’24 highlights the unique nature of this year’s election. Roberts states, “I think this election will be really interesting considering that we are likely looking at two candidates who have already served a term in the White House. Voters have a level of information about these candidates that isn’t usually available during a presidential election. It could really come down to how voters feel about their last eight years.” Biden’s address proved Roberts’ assertion to be true by using Trump’s previous experience in office as an argument against his character. A significant portion of the speech focused on January 6, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and questions about the Affordable Care Act.
The Republican response to Biden’s address was delivered by Alabama junior senator Katie Britt, who referred to Biden as a “dithering and diminished leader.” Britt criticized Biden’s economic plans and border policies, while also expressing concerns about the future of our country.
Throughout the State of the Union Address, President Biden expressed optimism about the future and a forward-looking approach to the election. Although it is unclear at this moment exactly how the race will play out, it is evident that voting in this year’s election is as important as ever.