'Never Underestimate Joe Biden Again' [View all]

[Joinfortmill]

https://statuskuo.substack.com/p/never-underestimate-joe-biden-again

'...And last night’s speech was one for the history books: a true and frankly unexpected masterclass on how to handle an unruly and disrespectful group of extremists while driving home not only your agenda but also the difference between your vision of America and theirs...The key moment came around 50 minutes in...

What about the debt ceiling and threats to cut Social Security and Medicaid?...“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset"..."I’m not saying it’s the majority...I’m not even saying it’s even significant…” He paused...letting the tension and shouts of protest build. “It’s being proposed by individuals. I’m politely not naming them,”...At this point, most people... had no idea where this was going...Cameras were cutting to Republicans indicating, “who?!” as if Biden were completely making this up. Rep. Greene was leaping from her chair and giving the thumbs down. C-SPAN panned to Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who is actually one of the lawmakers who has proposed such a sunset, and he, too, feigned outrage and surprise....“So folks,” Biden said, quietly, springing his trap. “As we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare are off the books now.”

In less than two minutes, Biden took a key flash point out of consideration in the upcoming debt ceiling showdown. Commentator Lawrence O’Donnell summed up the astonishing play nicely. “He negotiates the budget, during the State of the Union, on live TV… And. He. Wins.”