The president of the United States, Joe Biden, will face a difficult scenario tomorrow when he delivers his first speech on the State of the Union, the media and analysts estimate today.
High inflation, the crisis in Ukraine and the approaching mid-term elections next November pose a difficult challenge for Biden whose poll numbers are not at all promising when they slope downward from 37 percent support for his management.
An assessment by The Hill newspaper notes that the president is likely to highlight achievements so far in his administration, such as the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the appointment of his first Supreme Court justice, with the aim of giving Democrats a strong message to take to the election campaign.
However, the non-approval of his “Build Back Better” program will weigh heavily, an ambitious and broad plan that contained important aspects of social benefit, the confrontation of climate change, something that internal differences in the Democratic ranks and the fencing of the Republicans stopped in Congress.
Favorable to Biden in the face of conservative attacks is that even with inflation, the economy is advancing despite the pandemic and the numbers from the Department of Labor indicate that current unemployment is four percent, which is incredible because it is equivalent to full employment , according to most economists.
Despite the pandemic-induced stress on supply chains, retail businesses and inflation, the US economy has rallied ahead, commented analyst Juan William for The Hill.
On the other hand, many Americans believe that in his speech Biden should try to energize and mobilize the Democratic base, while trying to convince the unbelievers that the country is moving in the right direction.
Neither group is going to be inspired by a lukewarm State of the Union address about what was accomplished, said a report cited by The New York Times.
The president needs to recount the achievements forcefully, while pointing out what his administration will continue to pursue in the coming months.
If Biden and his administration do not confidently convey that we are on the right track – which is a perfectly credible claim – why should we expect Americans to believe so?
Biden’s first official State of the Union address will return to legislative priorities that are in limbo due to deep divisions in both parties in Congress and among voters heading to the polls in November fed up with the Covid-19 anxieties and misgivings about elected leaders.
The scenario is not at all favorable due to economic uncertainty and serious geopolitical turmoil, valued an article in The Hill.
The president’s message is a serious challenge, especially when a new Washington Post-ABC News poll showed a deeply pessimistic country and people worried about the US economy. Biden’s job approval number is at a low of 37 percent, an ominous sign for Democratic candidates in this fall’s election.
Tomorrow Americans will learn how the president will deal with the crisis and if he will use humility to give hope to his countrymen.
