Political Rubbernecking in Tonight’s State of the Union Address
MY THOUGHTS ON THE 2023 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Each year on the second Tuesday in February, I force myself to watch the annual State of the Union Address.
This requisitioned loyalty isn’t borne from patriotic duty, but rather an unquenchable curiosity. Call it — “political rubbernecking.”
No matter who the president is, or which party controls Congress, the State of the Union deserves the nation’s attention. Hey, if we can binge-watch a popular Netflix series over several hours, it does seem the very least we can do is dedicate just 90 minutes per year to a speech about the state of the nation.
However, this year my patience could be severely tested, probably stretched to the limit, and may even reach the breaking point. I feel especially sorry for my television screen this evening, which is about to get yelled at like it’s a bad NFL-betting Sunday. Soundproof the walls. Warn the neighbors. Hide the family pets. Yes, I’m one of those people who yells at the TV.
The State of the Union isn’t a speech anymore. It’s grand theatre, and everyone in the cast has a special role to play — from the star attraction (the President)….to the many character actors….to the villains….to the “invited guests” who are used as temporary props and guaranteed applause lines. Within the chamber, tonight’s only dramatic uncertainties are — (1) will President Biden make it through the entire speech without stumbling and appearing confused, and (2) will the deranged Republican congressional crackpots heckle the President and deface yet another constitutional proceeding?
Admittedly, my bias against President Biden running for re-election (in 2024) certainly shapes and colors my perception of tonight’s spectacle. Some may even claim this bias distorts reality. I admit that my prejudgement isn’t fair, nor productive. Nonetheless, while President Biden deserves high marks for his many accomplishments during his first 25 months in office, it’s hard to muster up much enthusiasm at this moment for fear that our applause gets misconstrued as unwavering mass support for yet another long campaign with octogenarian Joe Biden’s name atop the national Democratic ticket. I don’t think enough Democrats realize how catastrophic this very real possibility could be to other candidates, not to mention the future of the country. So, I wish he’d make tonight’s speech his surprise “swan song” announcement, a shocking 1968 LBJ redux (SEE FOOTNOTE), or at least an open encouragement for other Democratic contenders to jump in, join the race, and expand the national dialogue. But alas — he won’t.
The only positive thing about President Biden’s State of the Union address tonight is that — no matter how orchestrated and manipulative and ineffectual it may seem — his delivery will be far superior to the utter travesty of what follows, which is (newly-elected Gov.) Sarah Huckabee Sanders set to deliver the excruciating “Republican Response to the President’s State of the Union.”
Now, that will be a car crash not to be missed.
Don’t touch the television. I have to watch this. Let the political rubbernecking begin.
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FOOTNOTE:
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