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Biden Preps His Big Speech

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Biden Preps His Big Speech

But the polls -- for whatever they're worth -- suggest he's got some work to do

Feb 6
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Biden Preps His Big Speech

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5 takeaways from Biden's State of the Union address : NPR

What You May Have Missed

As President Biden prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, most Americans don’t think he’s accomplished much — despite passage of massive Covid relief and infrastructure legislation in his first two years.

Most Democrats think President should not seek reelection, but party insiders worry that Vice President Harris is not ready for prime time.

Politics Extra is reader-supported so please become a free or paid subscriber.

Though Donald Trump continues to rail against China (which sent spy balloons over the U.S. during his presidency), he could seek out the dovish lane in a GOP presidential primary field that could be crowded with hawks. Trump already has a plan to take down one of them: Nikki Haley.

For now, however, the presidential field appears frozen. And Trump doesn’t seem as weak as some pundits have argued.

Republican hard-liners are doubling down against a “clean” debt limit increase, and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) is weaponizing the issue in his ongoing war against Mitch McConnell.

Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Lisa McClain (R-MI), and ex-Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI), might run for Senate in Michigan. Pete Buttigieg won’t. And possible candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) is getting divorced.

What would President Seinfeld’s State of Union sounded like? Or President Presley’s? ChatGPT has the answer.

Extra Links

Here are some interesting links that didn’t make it into Political Wire today:

  • Everyone knew what the first line of Harry Whittington’s obituary would be.

  • Nikki Haley's fans explain why they think she could win.

  • Companies save billions of dollars by giving employees fake "manager" titles.

  • Pakistan is facing its worst set of challenges in its modern history.

  • The Great Salt Lake could be gone in five years.

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger was involved in a traffic accident in Los Angeles.

  • The trial of 47 pro-democracy advocates opens today in Hong Kong.

  • The European Space Agency has released a deep field image of thousands of galaxies taken by the James Webb Space Telescope.

  • The New Yorker has the first interview with Salman Rushdie after the brutal attempt on his life last year.

  • Jill Biden presented Song of the Year and Best Song for Social Change at the Grammys.

  • Iran supreme leader conditionally “pardons” protesters.

  • A recommendation:

    Daniel W. Drezner
    has a newsletter on foreign policy that is fast becoming a must-read.

  • Another recommendation:

    News Items
    from John Ellis has been a must-read for me for a while now.

  • Also recommended:

    Sinocism
    by Bill Bishop.

  • Trending on the political dictionary: “coattail effect”

Trial Balloon

The response to Trial Balloon, my new podcast with Chris Riback, has been outstanding. Thank you for listening!

As we noted in the first episode, we would love reader questions. Just respond to this email with a topic you would like us to cover.

For those who missed it, Trial Balloon is available as part of your Political Wire membership.

  • If you’re a Political Wire member, add Trial Balloon to your podcast player.

  • If you’re not yet a member, check out the membership options.

Thanks for listening!

Members Only

Here’s what Political Wire members got today:

  • Are We On the Right Track?

If you’re not yet a member, join today.

Presented Without Comment

Twitter avatar for @davidfrum
David Frum @davidfrum
Would *you* want to be the briefer who had to tell then-President Trump, "Sir, a foreign-manipulated spherical object powered by hot gas is wandering across the United States"? He'd think you were making fun of him.
11:52 PM ∙ Feb 5, 2023
1,552Likes163Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepStefanik
Rep. Elise Stefanik @RepStefanik
Mayor Adams’ threat to ban chocolate milk in schools is a non-starter. I’m standing up to make sure our NY students have a flavored milk option. #SaveChocolateMilk!
7:17 PM ∙ Feb 5, 2023
818Likes101Retweets

Closing Thoughts

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) claims he wants to limit senators to just two terms — at the same time he’s running for a third term.

Twitter avatar for @tedcruz
Ted Cruz @tedcruz
I’m fighting for 30 million Texans until the socialists and the swamp are ready to leave Washington!
1:26 AM ∙ Feb 6, 2023
5,093Likes524Retweets

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Biden Preps His Big Speech

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1 Comment
Rue Ryuzaki
Writes Rue’s Substack
Feb 6Liked by Taegan Goddard

I don’t even know where to start. Because David Frum is right, the idea of Haley having fans is hilarious & sad. Ted Cruz is still a hypocritical weasel, the MSM is pissy that Biden is being a Responsible Adult while Presidenting. Since there’s no nonsensical drama to be used for ratings. As the House GOP keeps propping up the likes of Santos & more.

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