Biden calls for a $15/hr minimum wage on basis that nobody working full time should live below the poverty line. But the current federal poverty line is $12,880, which translates into $6.44/hr based on a 40/hr work week. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr. So I guess we don't need to raise the minimum wage? https://aspe.hhs.gov/2021-poverty-guidelines
Biden says “Good guys and women on Wall Street, but Wall Street didn’t build this country. The middle class built this country. And unions build the middle class.”
Kevin Williamson responds.
Biden just said his “infrastructure bill” will create jobs almost none of which require a college degree. That's a smart note to hit, and one most presidents haven't.
Biden says “for me, when I think climate change, I think jobs.”
“There’s simply no reason the blades for wind turbines can’t be built in Pittsburgh instead of Beijing,” he explains.
Biden says, “For too long, we have failed to use the most important word when it comes to meeting the climate crisis. Jobs. Jobs.” But that was the central part of the “green jobs” push during the Obama-Biden administration that was associated with disasters such as Solyndra.
Biden touts the economic recovery numbers as his own, and is going off his prepared remarks, leading to some gaffes:
BIDEN: "We have to do more than just build back better. We have to build back better." pic.twitter.com/K3fEDzK3Yu
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 29, 2021
Adds “we're at a great inflection point in history,” says the country is in “competition” with China.
Biden declares, “The American Jobs Plan creates jobs replacing 100% of the nation’s lead pipes and service lines so every American, so every child – can turn on the faucet and be certain to drink clean water… And I am asking the Vice President to help lead this effort.”
Oh, is she finished with handling the surge of migrants and the crisis at the border?
We’ve got a long way to go, but so far, Biden is not exactly offering a spirited or energetic delivery to this speech. He likes to offer a lot of anecdotes and lines with a slow, emphatic whisper.
Biden with a pointed vaccination appeal made directly to the camera: “Go get vaccinated America. Go and get the vaccination. They're available.”
Says “our progress these past 100 days against one of the worst pandemics in history is one of the greatest logistical achievements our country has ever seen.”
Rich Lowry weighs in: “Only thing missing is some cardboard cutouts of senators and congresspeople and pumped in crowd noise.”