It was beyond 10pm when Joe Biden, the president, finished delivering his state of the union address. The Republicans hastily departed, in desperate need of a drink, whilst the Democrats gave a final, deafening round of applause. The House chamber is an awe-inspiring spectacle on such an evening, not solely due to its exquisite blend of ancient European grandeur and contemporary American taste – the state crests adorning the roof, the golden stars, the emblem of the eagle, the surprisingly refreshing air conditioning – and its not just because of its extensive historical significance housed within its adorned walls.
It’s because everyone was present.
Shortly after Biden’s arrival – his brief car ride from the White House was delayed by protests in Gaza – there was a fleeting instance where a strange yet captivating scene formed. Kamala Harris, the vice-president, stood uncomfortably beside speaker Mike Johnson, having long run out of pleasantries to exchange; the Supreme Court justices, garbed in their black robes, began to assemble; veteran senators and Congress members engaged in friendly exchanges and embraces; and for a moment, it all resembled the chaotic portion of an extravagant wedding reception, where everyone is starving, waiting for the dinner bell, and the champagne is starting to show its effects.
It was Biden’s task to play the role of the disciplinarian schoolmaster, set to restore order – in the room full of politicians, across the nation. It was his time to shine, it was his evening.
Some may argue that his speech, had it been condensed to a sharp 35 minutes, could have been seen as a triumphant display. However, even at 70 minutes, his speech never faltered or lost its momentum. His voice never waned, and right from the beginning, he was determined to underline the gravity of the choice facing American voters in the upcoming November elections. Referencing Franklin Roosevelt’s delivery during the winter of 1941, he set out to place the situation in the starkest of terms.
“President Roosevelt’s mission was to alert congress and the American public that they were facing an extraordinary circumstance. With freedom and democracy under global threat. I stand here in this same chamber, to address the nation tonight. It is now us, who are faced with an unparalleled moment in our union’s history.”
He never explicitly said the name “Donald Trump”, only alluding to him as “my predecessor”. His speech was marked by a steady critique of his Republican foe, and there was an unmistakably stern tone when addressing Republican lawmakers’ failure to support crucial border legislation and assistance for Ukraine.
“January 6th and the deception surrounding the 2020 election, as well as the conspiracies to hijack the election, represent the most significant menace to our democracy since the civil war. My predecessor, along with some of you here today, aim to suppress the truth of January 6th. I will not do this. This is a moment to proclaim the truth and dismiss the falsehoods. And here is the simplest truth. You can’t express love for your country only when you are victorious.”
The written words might appear straightforward; however, in his articulation, Biden demonstrated a rejuvenated vigour. Despite not being known as a remarkable speaker, he applied his 50 years of experience in conveying his message effectively and placing emphasis at the correct moments.
He stammered slightly on a handful of words, but he remained confident throughout his speech. Whether his main points on climate change, debt, as well as increased support for Gaza resonate with the voters he seeks to allure is yet to be determined. Nonetheless, the night was undoubtedly Biden’s, and he even delivered a stern criticism of the Supreme Court justices for overruling Roe v Wade, stating, “With all due respect, justices, women are not without electoral or political power.”
The “Sleepy Joe” that Donald Trump so often ridicules was nowhere to be seen. Nor was the affable statesman who travelled to Ireland the previous year. This was a strategically astute and well-informed Joe Biden.
A fascinating scene unfolded when Mitch McConnell, who serves as the Republican leader, trailed Vice President Kamala Harris into the room, marking the start of the ceremony. Politicians had been assembling since the early evening, with a light mood surrounding the pink-hued Capitol.
There was a respectful applause for Harris from both sides of the house. McConnell calmly walked to his seat. Amid the general conversation going on around him, McConnell appeared oddly alone in the crowded room. As he leaned against the back of a leather chair, he drummed his fingers and glanced around.
Amid the clatter and clamour of Biden’s address, the once-dominant man in the room, McConnell, appeared momentarily bewildered before he was engaged in dialogue by another. As the tide of Biden’s speech rose and fell, McConnell’s stone-like stillness and immutable facial expression – a signature trait of his southern ambiguity – persisted. However, McConnell’s keen auditory sense caught every fluctuating topic of Biden’s discourse – from border issues, education, to aid for Ukraine – undoubtedly making him contemplate the evolving course of the Republican party, over which his once substantial sway is fading.
Behind McConnell, an enlightening display of the shifting nature and diversity of the Republican party was provided by the line of seats. Romney, another retiree-to-be, sat just over McConnell’s shoulder, emanating an aura of genteel nostalgia. His radiant and healthy demeanour did little to conceal his publicly known contempt for Donald Trump.
As Biden’s speech reached its crescendo, Romney rose to applaud in agreement when he heard the president state that everyone is created equal, warranting equal treatment throughout their lives, a concept America has strived for and never abandoned despite its struggles.
In contrast, three rows behind Romney was Georgia’s Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who finished a Super Tuesday interview with Emily Maitlis of The News Agents podcast – and former BBC Newsnight anchor – with a verbally abusive remark.
Donning a Trump crimson blazer and matching MAGA cap, along with a t-shirt inscribed with the name of Laken Riley, the recently murdered Georgia nursing student – a Venezuelan migrant is under charges for this, Taylor Greene was determined to get an attentive ear from President Biden. As the conversation on border control ensued, she vociferously demanded that Biden acknowledged her, which he did.
Matt Gaetz, sporting a blue suit and a grin, sat behind Greene. Gaetz received the announcement of McConnell’s resignation as the senate’s Republican leader with apparent pleasure; his response was a social media post that glamorised the departure of three Republicans: McCarthy, McDaniel, McConnell, and called it a sign of better days ahead for the party. At the conclusion of Biden’s lengthy exposition, the solemn ranks made it evident that, at the very least, change is in the wind.
The populace tuning in to the presidential speeches has nosedived since the peak of sixty million in 1993. However, Biden’s impactful assertions are likely to find their way onto social media in bite-sized versions, potentially amplifying their overall resonance. His concluding words may strike a particular chord: “Fellow Americans, the predicament we face as a country is not about our age; it’s about the age of our ideas. Ideas rooted in hate, anger, revenge, retribution, are some of the oldest. Yet, these antiquated ideas won’t steer America forward. To guide America, the land of possibilities, requires a forward-thinking vision. You’ve heard my vision tonight. It’s one that safeguards democracy, not undermines it.”
Stay updated with the most important news, analysis, and commentary straight to your phone by subscribing for push alerts. Keep pace with The Irish Times on WhatsApp. You can also stay informed by tuning into our In The News podcast, now available daily – discover the most recent episode here.