What You May Have Missed

A CNN flash poll found that 72% of those who watched President Biden’s well-reviewed State of the Union address liked it.

House Speaker McCarthy urged his caucus to behave during the speech. It didn’t work for him, but might have worked in Biden’s favor.

Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) is taking a significant step toward a 2024 presidential run with the launch of a national 501(c)(4) fundraising organization.

Charles Herbster, whose failed campaign for the Nebraska Republican gubernatorial nomination last year was backed by Donald Trump, may take on appointed Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) in 2024.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) faces dismal polling numbers with the February 28 election looming, but still is in the mix in the crowded race.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) is calling on Biden to resign.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) says the CIA worked with Twitter to ban her account.

When Trump goes low, DeSantis goes high?

Members Only

Here’s what Political Wire members saw today:

• My Reaction to Biden’s State of the Union Address

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Extra Links

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

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) apparently tried to dress up as the Chinese spy balloon for the State of the Union address last night.

• The Trump White House asked Twitter to remove a tweet calling Donald Trump a “pussy ass bitch.”

• If might be to Trump’s advantage to keep Nikki Haley in the presidential race for a while.

• If not Joe Biden, then who?

• Google targets low-income U.S. women with ads for anti-abortion pregnancy centers.

• Trade between the U.S. and China set a record last year, despite bilateral tensions running high.

• Ukraine to receive up to 178 German tanks from allies.

• Chinese spy balloon confirms a “pattern of behavior” by the country.

• How long can people survive in the rubble of an earthquake?

• A newsletter recommendation:

  Tusk
  by Seth Masket.

• Another good one:

  Home & Away
  by Richard Haass.

• From the political dictionary: “motion to vacate”

Presented Without Comment

Aaron Rupar @atrupar

Ron Johnson on Fox Business suggests to Maria Bartiromo, without evidence, that Biden let the balloon fly over the US because he's "compromised" by China, and then warns about "the dangers of electromagnetic pulse attack" and a "high-altitude nuclear attack"

2:10 PM ∙ Feb 8, 2023

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Closing Thoughts

President Biden may be 80 years old, but this was remarkable politics for any age.

Kaivan Shroff @KaivanShroff

These 2 minutes made the night for Biden. That’s all he needed to do. He created a little live Reality TV moment that showed his agility and that he is fighting for the American people. #SOTU

2:58 AM ∙ Feb 8, 2023

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14,552Likes2,676Retweets