The State of the State of the Union

President Biden relayed a largely upbeat and optimistic report for his State of the Union address to Congress this week.

His message focused on jobs and the economy directing energy towards infrastructure in his speech and flexing some rhetorical muscle at China. While trying to paint a rosy picture, he directly sparred with and acknowledged the division and gridlock in Washington.

But, was that what he needed to do? Was the president on message and did he rally support on some of the biggest issues facing the nation?

Below in five charts we look at the politics around the State of the Union.

1. It’s the economy stupid!? The economy remains the biggest concern for Americans. Even as some indicators suggest inflation might be easing, Americans don’t see it. Paychecks are stretched, and many Americans are scraping by after muddling through some of the most aggressive inflation in a generation. Talking about how things are better and feeling like things are better are two different things. The President in the end was convergent on the economy.
2. No pillar to rest on. The president is not performing well on the single biggest issue on people’s minds: the economy. Many Americans don’t give the president good marks on how he has handled one of the most important issues. It’s a major vulnerability for him. What’s worse: the issue Biden was elected on—getting the pandemic under control—is no longer a salient issue for people. What can Biden hang his hat on? Right now, it doesn’t look like much. So, economy yes! But little credibility for Biden on it.
3. State of play. President Biden in his speech emphasized unity and jobs. Unifying the country and the economy are some of the issues Americans want the president to prioritize. But, it might not be enough to convince the public that anything new will come. America, America, America!
4. Hit them where they are weak. President Biden may have a hard time swaying hearts and minds, but no other major government institution at the State of the Union is winning favor among the public either. In his speech, Biden attempted to draw attention to the legislative gridlock and divided government he is facing, pinning the blame on Congressional Republicans. As viewers at home saw on Tuesday, there was a lot of animosity, heckling, and division, punctured by brief moments of unity. Two nations—one red; the other blue.
5. The unity of disunity. While the president tried to craft and deliver a speech around unifying issues, like the economy and infrastructure, it begs the question of how unifying any topic can be during this acrimonious moment in American history. Only half of Americans feel they are on the same page on infrastructure, one of Biden’s big speech points and something everyone needs and uses. The only unity seems to be around division.

President Biden spent a lot of real estate in his State of the Union speaking about the economy. That’s the biggest issue facing Americans today. He hit the mark there. But we are far from more certain times. And Biden just isn't credible on the issue.

The president emphasized unity in his speech. But we live in polarized times, and the punch-counter punch between the President and House Republicans only reinforced this.