Before Congress, Biden will try to gain momentum against Trump

A ritual usually more ceremonious than truly decisive, the President's State of the Union speech was enhanced by the President's State of the Union speech. Rican takes on particular significance this year: Joe Biden will seek Thursday, before Congress, & to get his campaign against Donald Trump off the ground.

“You chose me to do the job, build an economy that benefits everyone, provide a better life for families. Tomorrow I will talk to you about our progress and our projects,” the 81-year-old Democrat wrote to the the intention of his compatriots on the social network most other presidents in eight”, with its major infrastructure projects, its gigantic investments in the energy transition, its purchasing power measures on medicines or student debt.

He will also be expected on Ukraine, at a time when Republican parliamentarians are blocking the resumption of military aid, and on the conflict in Gaza.

At 9:00 p.m. local time (01:00 GMT Friday) at the Capitol in Washington, the head of protocol of the House of Representatives will proclaim the ritual formula addressed to the head of this institution: “Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States!”< /p>

But it is as a candidate that Joe Biden will then advance between the bays. In front of millions of viewers, he will have to prove his endurance during a speech which, traditionally, lasts more than an hour, and instill a little of his eternal optimism in a disillusioned America.

– Correct –

Joe Biden in Las Vegas, February 4, 2024, and Donald Trump in Concord, New Hampshire, January 19, 2024 © AFP – SAUL LOEB, TIMOTHY A. CLARY

Donald Trump, for his part, promised to “correct” the speech live.

The 77-year-old tycoon is demanding above all to debate “not anywhere, anytime” with Joe Biden, without waiting for them to be nominated this summer by the conventions of the Democratic and Republican parties.

The primaries continue, but the ex-president has had a free hand since the withdrawal of Nikki Haley, the only Republican contender still in the running.

She threw in the towel after being largely left behind by Donald Trump during “Super Tuesday”.

Joe Biden, unsurprisingly, achieved astronomical scores during this day which concentrates the primaries of several states.

American voters will therefore, barring unforeseen circumstances, face in November to the same choice as four years ago, and according to the polls, they are not very happy about it.

On the one hand, a deeply unpopular president but convinced, despite his age, of being the best bulwark of American democracy. On the other, a former head of state surrounded by legal proceedings, who promises his supporters to “avenge” the defeat of 2020, which he never recognized.

< p>For Joe Biden, facing Congress, the manner will count as much as the substance. Will the octogenarian, in good health according to his doctor, show signs of fatigue? Will he stammer? Will he be able to respond with the same confidence as last year if Trumpist elected officials begin to insult him?

– Political theater –

The American Constitution provides that the president “periodically” informs Congress on the “State of the Union.”

The first president George Washington was content with a short speech of 1,000 words – more than 9,000 last year for Joe Biden – and most of his successors fulfilled their constitutional obligation in writing.

But over the course of the 20th century, the “State of the Union” was transformed into a great moment of political theater, with its rites and their side effects.

Joe Biden will designate a “survivor” on Thursday, a member of his administration who will not attend the speech, in case the highest representatives of the executive, legislative and judicial, all gathered at the Capitol, were to be decimated.

The White House also invites personalities or simple citizens embodying its political priorities. This year, it will notably be the defense of the right to abortion.

Texan Kate Cox will take her place alongside First Lady Jill Biden. She had to leave her state to terminate her pregnancy, after learning that the fetus she was carrying was not viable.

Joe Biden had also invited Yulia Navalnaïa, widow of Russian opponent Alexei Navalny, and Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Neither woman will attend the speech, however, the White House said, without providing further explanation.

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