Biden touts accomplishments in feisty state of the union, as he bids for 2nd White House term
CBC
President Joe Biden delivered a defiant argument for a second term in his state of the union speech Thursday night, lacing into GOP front-runner Donald Trump for espousing "resentment, revenge and retribution" and for jeopardizing freedom at home and abroad.
Revelling in the political moment, Biden fired multiple broadsides at "my predecessor" without ever mentioning Trump by name —13 times in all — raising his voice repeatedly as he worked to quell voter concerns about his age and job performance while sharpening the contrast with his all-but-certain November rival.
The scrappy tone from Biden was a sharp break from his often humdrum daily appearances and was designed to banish doubts about whether the 81-year-old president — the country's oldest ever — is still up to the job.
For 68 minutes in the House chamber, Biden goaded Republicans over their policies, invited call-and-response banter with fellow Democrats on economic issues, taxes and health care and seemed to revel in the fight.
"Freedom and democracy are under attack both at home and overseas at the very same time," Biden said as he appealed for Congress to support Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against Russia's invasion. "History is watching."
Biden quickly pivoted to the threats at home, referencing the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol by Trump supporters seeking to overturn the 2020 election, and calling for the threat to democracy to be countered.
"My predecessor — and some of you here — seek to bury the truth about Jan. 6," Biden said. "I will not do that.
"This is a moment to speak the truth and to bury the lies. Here's a simple truth. You can't love your country only when you win.
"My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy," Biden added.
"A future based on the core values that have defined America: honesty, decency, dignity, equality. To respect everyone. To give everyone a fair shot. To give hate no safe harbour. Now some other people my age see a different story: an American story of resentment, revenge and retribution. That's not me."
The president showcased his accomplishments on infrastructure and manufacturing, and pushed Congress to approve tougher migration rules and lower drug prices. He also sought to remind voters of the situation he inherited when he entered office in 2021 amid a raging pandemic and a contracting economy.
The president was being closely watched not just for his message, but for whether he could deliver it with vigour and command.
White House aides said Biden was aiming to prove his doubters wrong by flashing his combative side and trying to needle Republicans over positions he believes are out of step with the country, particularly on access to abortion, but also tax policy and health care.
It's part of his campaign-year effort to use even official speeches to clarify the choice for voters at the ballot box this fall.
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Elon Musk to a role aimed at creating a more efficient government, handing even more influence to the world's richest man who donated millions of dollars to helping Trump get elected.
The man reportedly tapped for the top international role inside the Trump White House isn't just predicting the defeat of Canada's Trudeau government: He's celebrating it.
Uncertainty and corruption are already looming over this year's climate negotiations, as delegates descend on oil-rich Baku to start talks Monday.
Ukraine attacked Moscow on Sunday with at least 34 drones, the biggest drone strike on the Russian capital since the start of the war in 2022, forcing flights to be diverted from three of the city's major airports and injuring at least one person.
Donald Trump is projected to win the presidential election in Arizona, completing a sweep of all seven battleground states and locking in a decisive Electoral College victory over Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris.
More bread and butter and less Oprah.
Israel was sending commercial planes to the Netherlands on Friday to bring home Israeli soccer fans after overnight attacks in Amsterdam that officials described as antisemitic, although there was evidence of provocative chanting from Israeli fans.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had flattering words to share Thursday about Donald Trump's recent election win and the character of the next U.S. president.
One of the most divisive races for the White House in recent memory will come to an end on Tuesday as Americans head to the polls, tasked with choosing between two candidates who have each framed the election as fight for the nation's character, democracy and security.
Kamala Harris took the stage at her final campaign stop in Philadelphia on Monday night, addressing voters in a swing state that may very well hold the key to tomorrow's historic election: "You will decide the outcome of this election, Pennsylvania," she told the tens of thousands of people who gathered to hear her speak.