RNC dubs tonight’s big speech ‘Biden’s State of Confusion’

NEWS AND OPINION:

The always nimble Republican National Committee has rebranded President Biden’s Thursday evening State of the Union address.

“Biden’s State Of Confusion: Biden may be confused about the state of the union, but Americans know they are worse off because of the failures of his administration,” the committee said in a well-researched and wide ranging report which spans eight pages and cites press coverage, research reports and other sources to make its points.

“Biden’s presidency has been a complete failure. Biden will deliver the State of the Union where he will likely claim the economy is booming, the border is secure, and America is dominant on the world stage – but voters aren’t fooled. Biden has only delivered crises, failures, and broken promises,” the report said.

“Fewer than four in 10 registered voters say Biden deserves to be reelected according to Gallup. Just like Bidenflation, Biden’s third-year disapproval rating is at a 40-year high,” the report continued.

It also cited Biden-era spikes in crime, “foreign policy blunders,” challenges to police departments around the nation, an unprecedented immigration crisis on U.S. borders, a weakened military and energy challenges. The report also cited the failures of “woke agenda,” and a lack of national harmony.

“Despite promises of unity, Biden frequently targets his political opponents. Biden has repeatedly smeared Trump supporters as ’MAGA extremists,’ labeling half the country as backwards, full of anger, violence, hate, and division,” the report also advised.

RECALLING THE REAGAN SPEECH

Let’s journey back 39 years and recall then-President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union address. Here’s just a tiny portion of what the 40th president said on Feb. 6, 1985.

“Tonight America is stronger because of the values that we hold dear. We believe faith and freedom must be our guiding stars, for they show us truth, they make us brave, give us hope, and leave us wiser than we were. Our progress began not in Washington, DC, but in the hearts of our families, communities, workplaces, and voluntary groups which, together, are unleashing the invincible spirit of one great nation under God,” Reagan said.

“Four years ago we said we would invigorate our economy by giving people greater freedom and incentives to take risks and letting them keep more of what they earned. We did what we promised, and a great industrial giant is reborn,” he advised.

Tonight we can take pride in 25 straight months of economic growth, the strongest in 34 years; a 3-year inflation average of 3.9%, the lowest in 17 years; and 7.3 million new jobs in 2 years, with more of our citizens working than ever before,” Reagan continued.

“New freedom in our lives has planted the rich seeds for future success: For an America of wisdom that honors the family, knowing that as the family goes, so goes our civilization; For an America of vision that sees tomorrow’s dreams in the learning and hard work we do today; For an America of courage whose service men and women, even as we meet, proudly stand watch on the frontiers of freedom; For an America of compassion that opens its heart to those who cry out for help,” he said.

“We have begun well. But it’s only a beginning. We’re not here to congratulate ourselves on what we have done but to challenge ourselves to finish what has not yet been done,” Reagan noted.

Find the complete speech — and much more at ReaganFoundation.org.

HERE COME THE PREDICTIONS

One good thing about the State of the Union address, which also goes by the handy acronym “SOTU.” It gives the press plenty to do. Here’s a few headlines which have preceded the big event in the last 24 hours, and as usual, the coverage is subject to interpretation:

“Biden preps for the State of the Union speech and rowdy Republicans” (New York Times); “Biden to deliver State of the Union speech at the latest date ever” (Fox News); “State of the Union: What to watch as Biden addresses the nation” (Associated Press); “Biden’s State of the Union address is seriously high stakes” (Politico);  “State of the Union: What Biden should say about the economy” (New Yorker); and “SOTU Flashback: When Reagan showed us what real political leadership is like” (Issues & Insights).

HERE COMES THE COVERAGE

Fox News will offer some strategic coverage of President Biden’s State of the Union address, beginning at 9 p.m. EST Thursday, hosted by Bret Baier of “Special Report” and Martha MacCallum of “The Story.”

Also on the team: “America’s Newsroom” co-anchor Dana Perino, “America Reports” co-anchor John Roberts and “The Five” co-host Harold Ford Jr. Additional commentary will be offered by chief political analyst Brit Hume, Fox Business Network host Larry Kudlow and retired Army Gen. Jack Keane.

White House correspondent Peter Doocy and congressional correspondent Aishah Hasnie will provide live reports from the White House and the Capitol, respectively.

Fox News Digital’s coverage will feature original reporting, analysis and updates on its live blog throughout the night. At 8 p.m. ET, Fox News Radio will cover the speech and Republican response live; coverage can be heard on affiliates across the country, on FoxNewsRadio.com, Fox News Headlines 24/7 and SiriusXM Channel 115.

POLL DU JOUR

• 48% of registered U.S. voters think that a rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump will result in a “negative” campaign.

• 42% say the rematch will result in a “depressing” campaign.

• 27% say the rematch will result in an “exciting” campaign.

• 20% say the rematch will result in a “positive” campaign.

• 15% say the campaign will result in a “boring” campaign.

• 9% say the campaign will be “inspiring.”

SOURCE: A CBS News poll of 1,438 registered U.S. voters conducted Feb. 28-March 1; respondents could cite more than one description.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X at @HarperBulletin.