Watching The State Of The Union Address Was Entertaining

Two people were sitting behind the President

The Capitol was full of people for the speech.

Democratic and Republican members of Congress along with guests gathered at the United States Capitol on the evening of March 7, 2024, to hear President Joe Biden give his State of the Union Address. Millions of people watched on television.

Although some Republicans had wanted to keep the speech from happening and had announced plans to heckle him, the Republicans seemed to mostly adhere to Speaker Mike Johnson’s admonition for them to show decorum during the speech. There was some heckling, but it was not as obvious, loud, and frequent as during last year’s speech.

Democrats were pleased with the speech and praised President Biden. Republicans were displeased and critical. That was to be expected since Congress has been so divided with partisan hate exhibited regularly in the United States.

As the camera was focused on President Biden during his speech, it was easy to see Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Johnson, who were seated directly behind the President. Watching Speaker Johnson’s face and reactions was interesting and entertaining. He frowned and showed disagreement at times. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. He rarely smiled.

A few months ago, Speaker Johnson was likely almost unknown outside of his area and among his colleagues. Now his face shows up on the internet nearly every day since he became Speaker after Kevin McCarthy was ousted.

Vice President Harris and Democrats in the audience stood repeatedly and clapped multiple times to show support for something the President said. Speaker Johnson and the Republicans in the audience remained seated during most of the speech. There were a few times when Speaker Johnson did stand, and he clapped a time or two.

He stood when President Biden mentioned and honored the late Representative John Lewis, who was brutally beaten while fighting for civil rights and voting rights in Selma, Alabama, over fifty years ago. He then stood again when a woman in the audience was mentioned for her part in working for the Voting Rights Act. He also rose when President Biden talked about freeing the hostages from Hamas.

Since age is one of the major concerns during the coming election, President Biden faced the matter directly. Both candidates are of an advanced age so the President does not have the challenge of a younger opponent (except in Kennedy if he stays in the race as an Independent). President Biden can tout his experience and knowledge.

President Biden mentioned some of the services he has given to the nation. He said that he was elected as a U.S. Senator from Delaware when he was twenty-nine years old. He said that he had been told that he was too young, and he has been told that he is too old.

It was speculated that the Republicans chose to have their rebuttal given by a young female appealing to moms across the nation to counter the age of Biden.

The next election for President of the United States will be between two older white men who have already served as President, but Kennedy could make a difference.

Thank you for reading.