President finally managed to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday evening. The speech was perhaps one of the calmest speech he’s ever managed to deliver in his presidency, focusing more on the word “we” and less on “I.”
Tough Crowd
Tuesday evening was the end of a power struggle between the President of the United States and the Speaker of the House. President Trump refused to open the government, Speaker Pelosi refused to give him money for a wall (and allow him to give the State of the Union address).
But the State of the Union address was scheduled and Congress did show up, along with the world watching on assorted news channels.
Many of the ladies of Congress had attended the speech dressed in white- an act of solidarity with other women. Many Democrats and Republicans were ready to listen to an average hour of Trump commentary.
But in a speech that was a little over an hour and twenty minutes long, he put aside any past anger and focused primarily on working together with Congress. “I stand here ready to work with you to achieve historic breakthroughs for all Americans. Millions of our fellow citizens are watching us now, gathered in this great chamber, hoping that we will govern not as two parties but as one nation,” said President Trump.
“The agenda I will lay out this evening is not a Republican agenda or a Democrat agenda. It is the agenda of the American people.” [1]
Make America Great Again
He addressed the nation returning to the theme that has been repeated throughout his presidency- making America great again. “I am asking you to choose greatness. No matter the trials we face, no matter the challenges to come, we must go forward together.” Trump said. “We must keep America first in our hearts.” [2]
From someone who uses I a lot, he managed to use “we” more than usual last night.
Some Quick Polls
Although he didn’t change his stance on immigration, he did seem to soften the struggle between the Democrats and Republicans. In fact, according to a poll taken by CBS, 76% of watchers approved of his speech.
Three in four viewers approved of President Trump’s State of the Union Address. pic.twitter.com/suj1Gn9Hfq
— CBS News Poll (@CBSNewsPoll) February 6, 2019
And a third of viewers think that Pelosi and Trump will begin working together more.
Just a third of viewers said what they heard in the speech made them think President Trump and Nancy Pelosi will work together more going forward. Most said there wouldn’t be much change.https://t.co/q98B3SPkGg pic.twitter.com/73VONYXQ5Z
— CBS News Poll (@CBSNewsPoll) February 6, 2019
Notes:
- ^“Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez refuses to join standing ovation for Trump at State of the Union address.” 6 Feb. 2019, news.yahoo.com/state-union-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-212856073.html. (go back ↩)
- ^“Will Trump’s Finest Speech Save His Presidency?” Federalist, 6 Feb. 2019, thefederalist.com/2019/02/06/will-trumps-finest-speech-save-his-presidency. (go back ↩)
