President Joe Biden stated Tuesday (1/3) that “country conditions are strong,” underscoring that “because you, the American people, are strong.”
Biden’s 62-minute speech, the first state of the nation address of his presidency, was divided between concerns about wars abroad and concerns at home, and reflected the balancing act now faced in his presidency.
He must lead the allies’ resolve against Russian aggression while keeping inflation, COVID-19 fatigue at bay, and slumping approval ratings heading into November’s midterm elections.
Even before the Russian invasion, skyrocketing prices, including energy prices, the cost of living for American families, and the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to hurt families and the country’s economy.
“I know this nation. We will face this test, to protect freedom and liberty, and to expand justice and opportunity. We will save democracy. As hard as it has been, I am more optimistic about America today than I have been in my entire life.”
Biden added, “We are stronger today than we were last year, and we will be stronger a year from now than today,” Biden said. “Now is our time to come together and tackle the challenges of our time. And we will be able to do that as one nation, one America, the United States of America.” [lt/jm]