GOP trips over itself
The Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address was an unmitigated disaster – according to Republicans. Well, they chose a new, unknown senator from Alabama named Katie Britt to deliver the response. In fact, media outlets have reported that Republicans called it: “One of our biggest disasters ever.” The Republican party is a disaster. Their members are out of control. Marjorie Taylor Greene wore a MAGA hat, which violated the rules, while Mike Johnson sat behind President Biden smirking instead of asking her to remove it because he’s afraid of her. Far right rep Brian Mast brought a guest who was eventually removed and arrested for being disruptive. What purpose they think this nonsense serves is anyone’s guess.
President Biden’s speech received high praise from Democrats and “never Trumper” Republicans. The New York Times called it “feisty.” Republicans, meanwhile, were extremely disrespectful to the president. Tommy Tuberville reportedly said that was “nothing to stand for” or “nothing to clap for,” including job growth under Biden, which has taken yet another leap. Joni Ernst said she stood when Biden spoke of Israel, according to Raw Story, but she had nothing good to say about America. Why are these people in office? Democrats were outraged at their behavior. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) told Raw Story: “It’s childish. You’ve got to realize that the rest of the world looks at us as the leader-a free nation-and if instead they see a grade school assembly, there’s our soul.” State Senator Tim Carpenter (WI), called Greene “a piece of work.” More like a piece of trash. But enough of Republican nonsense.
NYT called President Biden’s SOTU an “energetic and impassioned speech that was as much a campaign kickoff as it was a State of the Union.” Biden repeatedly made glaring differences between his leadership and Trump’s (lack of) leadership, and NYT said the order of the speech was “highly intentional.” Biden showed once again that this is about us, not him. He also tactfully called out SCOTUS right in their faces as they sat in the front row in their robes when he spoke about abortion and how the issue will fuel Democratic voters in 2024. He then asked: “My God, what freedoms will you take away next?”
Biden was powerful in his speech, and his accomplishments speak for themselves. There is no way that anyone can even begin to compare him to Donald Trump. As for comments about his “border failures,” he has failed at nothing. Republicans refused to get on board. That’s a huge difference in failure and Republican indifference. In fact, the day after the SOTU, NBC News reported that 275,000 jobs were added to in February “as labor market stays hot.” While that number is down from the January jobs added (353,000), it is above the 198,000 predicted by economists. The hiring rate has dropped, which means people are staying in their jobs. If MAGAs want do-nothing Donald back in the White House, we must outpace them to keep President Biden in office and keep our country moving forward.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years