Beden gave the speech to the nation: What were its main points

He presented his vision to “restored the nation's soul, restored the middle class, the backbone of America, and united the country”

President Biden's message was that “we must finish the start work”.

My economic subx0> focuses on investment in countries and people who have been forgotten”, he said.

President Biden talked about the strength of American democracy.

Two years ago, our democracy faced its greatest threat since the Civil War. Today, although damaged, our democracy remains unbroken and unbroken”, he said, referring to the attack on Capitol by his Republican predecessor's supporters, Donald Trump, on January 6, 2021.

He extended the hand of cooperation to the Republicans.

For my Republican friends, if we can work together at the last Congress, there is no reason not to work together in this new Congress. The people sent us a clear message”, he said, referring to the fact that after the November elections, Congress is divided with the House of Representatives under republic and Senate control under that democrat.

“The war for war's sake, power for power's sake, conflict for the sake of conflict does not take us anywhere”, he said.

The 73-minute speech was met with enthusiasm by the Democrats, but not by the Republicans who, with their response, reinforced the idea of political divisions in the country.

The president delivered the speech at a critical moment in the middle of his four-year presidency, prepared to defend his achievements, even though many Americans believe he has not achieved much so far.

America's “History is a history of progress and stability. We are the only country out of any stronger crisis than when we entered. And we're doing this again”, the president said.

He stressed economic recovery.

Two years ago our economy was suffering. While standing here in front of you today, we have created a record 12 million new jobs in more jobs created in two years than any previous president has created for four years. Two years ago, COVID had closed our businesses, schools and deprived us of so much. Today COVID no longer controls our life”, the president said.

Despite the president's focus on his administration's achievements, a new survey of Washington Post and ABC News newspaper concludes that 62% of Americans think he's reached “not much” or “almost nothing” in the first two years of his mandate.

Mr. Biden spoke of domestic problems such as gun violence, excessive police force, drug addiction crisis and immigration.

“If you will not approve my comprehensive plan for immigration reform, at least approve my plan to secure equipment and officers to secure the border, and a path towards citizenship for dreamers, those with temporary status, farm workers and necessary employees”, he said.

Mr. Biden has often mentioned new jobs open during his mandate, the adoption of legislation to combat climate change and improve the country's infrastructure. Most of his speech focused on internal issues, a sign of preparing the ground for announcing candidacy for a second presidential mandate. The talk about the state of the country gave him a platform in this direction.

Most Democrats, according to an Associated Press news agency poll and the Centre for the Study of Public Affairs, NORC before the speech thought a warrant was enough for President Joe Biden.

It is not yet known whether his talk will change that attitude.

President Biden also spoke of the United States' leading role in the western coalition standing side of Ukraine as it faces Russia's aggression.

Together we did what America did best. We followed. We joined NATO and built a global coalition. We stayed in the face of Putin's aggression. We stood by the Ukrainian people”, he said.

China was the next major international topic. President Biden said the United States wants competition but not conflict with China. However, referring to the incident with the Chinese wiretapping balloon...

Be assured: as we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And that's what we did”, he said.

Immediately after the president's speech, the republican response came, which leaves little hope for a closure of the gap between the two sides.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was press secretary for former President Donald Trump, dismissed Mr. Biden's optimistic vision in her speech on behalf of the Republican Party after the president.

The (president's) administration seems more interested in liberal ideology fantasies than in the difficult reality that Americans face every day. Most Americans just want to live their lives in freedom and peace, but we are under attack in a cultural war on the left hand that we didn't start and we didn't want to cure”, she said.

Jeff Bennett, professor at the University of Vanderbilt, an expert on presidential rhetoric and presidential style of communication, says that the message repeated by President Biden for “finished work” and for unity, is part of his strategy to show that he is willing to work with the other side to work for the American people.

The “is a difficult target given the deep party divisions currently characterising Congress, but it is a topic we will often encounter as we approach 2024” presidential elections, he says. / VOA/