REACTION: Biden delivers first State of the Union address, war in Ukraine transforms focus

WASHINGTON (AP) — Only a little more than a week ago, President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address was focused largely inward, looking at the economic and public health woes besetting the U.S. But Russia’s invasion or Ukraine and the war that has ensued changed all that.

Here are key takeaways from Biden’s address.

DEMOCRACY V. AUTOCRACY NO LONGER AN ABSTRACTION

The speech and the war in Ukraine gave Biden both the platform and the urgent reason to talk about the fight between democracy and autocracy not as an abstraction but as an urgent reality.

Biden has repeatedly talked about the battle of between the values of liberal democracies and autocrats like Russian President Vladimir Putin as the greatest foreign policy test facing the world.

But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — and the surprising unity that U.S. and European allies have shown in response — gave the president a chance to speak about the issue in a visceral way to a global audience.

“In the battle between democracy and autocracy, democracies are rising to the moment, and the world is clearly choosing the side of peace and security,” Biden said “This is a real test. It’s going to take time. So let us continue to draw inspiration from the iron will of the Ukrainian people. “

He celebrated the West for coming together on hard-hitting sanctions that are “choking off Russia’s access to technology that will sap its economic strength and weaken its military for years to come” he announced news sanctions to close off U.S. air space to all Russian flights. and he paid tribute to Ukrainian people for “fighting back with pure courage.”

MOVE TO THE CENTER

Biden found himself caught in the middle of culture wars for much of his first year in office. With his State of the Union, the president who has made his long career in politics living in the ideological — had moments where he sought to pivot to the center.

He dismissed those on the left of his party who have advocated for reducing funding of police in the midst of national reckoning on policing in Black communities.

“We should all agree: The answer is not to defund the police. The answer is to fund the police with the resources and training they need to protect our communities.”

After months of Republicans beating him up on immigration, he allowed that “we need to secure the border and fix the immigration system.” But he also called on Republicans — and the American public — to look at the issue in a pragmatic way, alluding to the country’s worker shorter as the nation emerges for coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s not only the right thing to do — it’s the economically smart thing to do,” Biden said

PIVOT TO PRICES AT THE PUMP

Even as he appeals to the higher ideals of democracy, Biden believes that many Americans would process the war through prices at the pump instead of geopolitical risks.

It’s a jarring contrast in priorities as Ukrainians beg the U.S. and its allies for weapons to protect themselves, while the U.S. and Europe are focused first and foremost on energy costs in their own economies that are generally experiencing growth instead of an existential threat.

“I’m taking robust action to make sure the pain of our sanctions is targeted at Russia’s economy — and I will use every tool at our disposal to protect American businesses and consumers,” Biden said as he announced the planned release of another 30 million barrels of oil from the U.S. petroleum reserve. Gasoline prices are averaging $3.61 a gallon, according to AAA. But most of that increase occurred over the past year, rather than the machinations of Russia.

It’s a sign that Biden sees his own political fortunes resting on family budgets and reducing inflation, perhaps even more than a land war in Europe.

A SLOGAN PUT ON THE SHELF

Biden almost said it — the motto that disappeared with his political agenda: “Build Back Better.” Or, BBB. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, the decisive Democratic vote in the evenly split Senate, has pronounced BBB dead with nary a eulogy.

Biden in outlining his agenda said instead, “I call it building a better America.” So, what does that look like? It looks a lot like his prior agenda, except it’s been slimmed down.

Capping prescription drug prices stays in the mix. So do anti-climate change policies — which are now being portrayed as ways to lower energy costs for families. Financial support to limit child care costs is still in, though the expanded child tax credit from the coronavirus relief package is out. Universal pre-kindergarten remains a priority, but the primary goal of all of these policies is no longer to win the future as Biden once claimed. It’s all about reducing inflation, the problem dogging Biden’s popularity in the here and now.

TRYING TO PUT COVID IN REAR VIEW

Biden said the country has moved beyond the pandemic, even if it still needs to stay vigilant against mutations. His big argument is that the country can’t change its past divides, though it must address the pandemic with a united front.

He noted that most of the country can now be mask-free. Most Americans are vaccinated and more vaccines are available if needed. Schools are open and workers can return to offices. “COVID-19 need no longer control our lives,” said Biden, echoing statements he made last July 4 when the disease similarly appeared to be in the rear view mirror.

The difference this time compared to the summer of 2020 is not only the increase in vaccinations but the lessons from the omicron and delta waves that caused infections and deaths to accelerate.

WHAT’S IN A WORD? REPETITION

The word count says a lot about where Biden’s frame of mind is right now.

His remarks include variations on the word “job” more than a dozen times as it applied to people working. Inflation netted half a dozen mentions and forms of the word “price” in terms of costs charged were mentioned 10 times. “Pandemic” was mentioned eight times and COVID-19 appeared a dozen times.

He tried to highlight partisan unity by deploying the phrase “Democrats and Republicans” three times. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (20 mentions) supplanted China as a geopolitical rival, as China got just two mentions. And there was a clear villain: Putin was named 12 times.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WEAR THE COLORS…OF UKRAINE

Blue and yellow is the new black.

As Russian invasion of Ukraine grinds on, lawmakers showed their support for Ukrainians with their sartorial choices.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wore a blue suit adorned with a lapel pin of Ukraine and U.S. flags. Rep. Eric Swalwell made do with a blue scarf.

Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who appeared to have a large paper Ukraine flag pinned to his suit, had a bit of wardrobe malfunction. (His Ukraine flag fell off as he waded through the packed aisle to make his way to his seat.)

Many lawmakers — and guests — also had small Ukrainian flags. In a sign of support for the Ukrainian people, the First Lady Jill Biden has an embroidered appliqué of a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine, sewn to the sleeve of her dress near her wrist.

REACTION

Tuesday, lawmakers shared reaction to President Biden’s first State of the Union Address. U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) released a video response HERE. In it, Paul started by saying, “Tonight you heard a speech from someone who doesn’t know what’s going on in the union.”

In a roughly three and a half minute video, Sen. Paul largely disagreed with statements made by the president.

“American, we still are the greatest country.” Paul also adding, “And our state of the union can and will bounce back.”

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following comments tonight following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address:

“Well first with regard to Ukraine, we’re all inspired by the bravery of the Ukrainian people and the leadership of their stunningly impressive president. The whole world has rallied to the cause – even demonstrations in Russia in opposition to the war. First and foremost, I think at this particular State of the Union, we need to do everything we can to support the Ukrainians. It may be David versus Goliath, but David is holding up pretty well so far.

“With regard to the rest of the President’s agenda, it’s been a pretty big flop for the American people… raging inflation, open borders, and difficult challenges getting past COVID. The President has had a rough year and he did his best tonight to try to pick himself up and provide some level of optimism but that’s not what the American people are feeling right now.”

Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) also released the following statement:

“Tonight, President Biden shattered Republicans’ false narratives about his presidency, reminding Americans that when he took office our country was about as close to rock bottom as we’ve seen. Now, unemployment is down, wages are up for the first time in a long time, and thanks to an administration the believes in science, the pandemic is in retreat. And with the international community facing a new crisis, heads of state are once again looking to America’s president not as the problem but as the strong and steady leader who will guide a tough, united response.

“When the president outed Putin’s invasion plans weeks ago, cynics and partisans ridiculed him. But he’s been refreshingly honest with the American people, boxed Putin into a corner without firing a shot, and simply been right every step of the way. When future generations look back on this chapter in American history, they will say that this was one of those times that America was blessed with the right person to lead us through a tumultuous time, that we are lucky Joe Biden is our president in this moment, and I think the American people got to see that clearly tonight.”

Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) issued the following statement on President Biden’s State of the Union address:

“No amount of Washington spin can change the fact that America is in crisis because of President Biden’s disastrous agenda. Kentuckians and Americans all across the United States know the true state of the union every time they pay more for gas at the pump, food at the grocery store, and energy to heat their homes. They know the true state of the union when they witness human smugglers and drug cartels exploit President Biden’s open border policies and bring deadly drugs into our communities. And the American people know the true state of the union when they see foreign adversaries like Putin emboldened because of Biden’s weakness on the world stage.

“In just a year, President Biden has taken us from America First to America Last. President Biden and Democrats must abandon their radical, left-wing policies that are putting our nation in crisis. We must end wasteful government spending that’s driving record inflation, unleash American-made energy to provide reliable, affordable energy to the American people, enforce our immigration laws, and lead by peace through strength.”

Congressman Brett Guthrie released the following statement after President Joe Biden delivered the State of the Union address:

“Rising prices on everyday goods, growing drug overdose epidemic, worsening crisis at our Southern Border, and a challenging supply chain crisis are several of the reasons that Kentuckians I serve tell me they are unhappy with the direction our country is headed under President Biden’s leadership and for good reason. President Biden’s policies have directly resulted in many of the everyday problems Kentuckians are facing.

“Kentuckians are paying nearly a dollar more per gallon of gas than a year ago. With a stroke of a pen, President Biden ended our energy independence by cancelling the Keystone Pipeline and halting drilling permits. I was frustrated that President Biden did not announce plans to reverse his domestic energy decisions to fully unleash America’s energy potential. It is even more unacceptable that we are actively importing energy from Russia, especially when we have untapped oil and gas in the United States. Proceeds from purchasing Russian energy are being used to fuel Russia’s unlawful and unprovoked war against our ally, Ukraine. Boosting our American energy supply can be used as a weapon against Putin. If we increase our energy production, then we can decrease Putin’s leverage with Russian energy by reducing the need for the United States and our European partners to depend on Russian oil and natural gas for energy needs.

“The President’s failed leadership in securing our Southern Border has essentially made Kentucky a border state due to illicit drugs flowing into our communities. After being sworn into office, President Biden halted construction of the border wall and his administration is barely enforcing the Remain in Mexico policy, which have both made it easier for Mexican drug cartels to traffic illicit drugs into our country and exacerbate the drug overdose crisis. I was disappointed that President Biden failed to commit to effectively securing our Southern Border to stop these deadly drugs from reaching our communities, specifically with continuing construction of the border wall and supporting the plan to combat fentanyl-related substances in the HALT Fentanyl Act.

“Additionally, the President doubled down on his push for passage of progressive policies included in his partisan Build Back Better Act, which would fuel inflation through drastic increases in federal spending. Hardworking Kentuckians’ paychecks are already decreasing in value due to the highest inflation since I was in high school in 1982.  Rising inflation is essentially an unlegislated tax that impacts every Kentuckian but is especially and unfairly felt by Kentuckians with low and fixed incomes.

“As the top Republican of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, I was especially interested in what President Biden had to say about lowering prescription drug prices. I was disappointed that he is still supportive of a drug pricing scheme that would diminish innovation for my constituents living with rare diseases and other medically complex conditions that lack access to effective treatments or cures. I encourage President Biden to support my bill, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, which proves with 40 bipartisan provisions that we can lower drug costs without sacrificing innovation.

“As the invasion of Ukraine was unfolding, I was participating as a Republican delegate at a NATO conference with our allies in Brussels. I have seen firsthand how Putin’s evil and maniacal actions are uniting our NATO allies against him. I stand with our Ukrainian allies and support stronger sanctions to make Putin and his complicit financiers feel the full weight of America’s and our allies’ economic power.”

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