Elissa Slotkin went for a normie vibe of someone who agrees with Trump on some thematic issues popular in Michigan, such as securing the border, re-shoring jobs from overseas, and reaches for bipartisan cred by noting that she worked for Bush and believes Reagan won the Cold War. However, she gravely overstated her case on claims such as Trump flouting court orders. Her to-do list for Democrats was also something of a useful toolkit for people in emotional need of something to do. These speeches are rarely successful, but she managed to at least go low-key enough to avoid doing herself any harm.
This was definitely a “meets expectations” speech. Trump had good theatrics. He goaded Democrats into making jackasses of themselves. He made some wonderful points. He told some glaring whoppers. He tried to sell his dubious tariff policies. He didn’t get too committed in any direction on Ukraine, and said little enough on a number of other foreign fronts. He put a lot of the more controversial issues deep into the speech. He was very Trump. This is the Trump we have; we’re not getting another one.
Trump was good at these speeches, as political productions, in his first term, and he hasn’t lost any speed on his fastball.
By the terms these speeches are judged, it was clearly a successful night for Trump. The Democrats played directly into his hands.
After Trump concludes his remarks, congressional Democrats stream out of the chamber as Republicans stand up to applaud
@rponnuru It’s a contest among congressional Republicans to be the first to issue the laudatory press release and the last to stop applauding.
Trump is still speaking, but Rep. Mike Collins (R., Ga.) couldn’t wait to issue his press release praising the speech.
“I was saved by God to make America great again,” Trump says of his survival of the assassination attempt.
Trump says he appreciates Zelensky’s letter, which is a relief.
“We have an ocean separating us, and they don’t” – Trump quotes Zelensky, reframes it as an argument for European support for Ukraine.