Biden Preps His Big Speech
But the polls -- for whatever they're worth -- suggest he's got some work to do
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.
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:
has a newsletter on foreign policy that is fast becoming a must-read.Another recommendation:
from John Ellis has been a must-read for me for a while now.Also recommended:
by Bill Bishop.Trending on the political dictionary: “coattail effect”
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Presented Without Comment


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.

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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.