Live coverage: President Biden's 2024 State of the Union, #2

President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address continues. Follow along with us right here.

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:38:27 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

This was a strong, muscular speech. He had several extemporaneous passages. He had no problem ad libbing and taking on Republicans who reached a new low tonight. It’s the kick off to the general election and he’s ready.

As Markos wrote earlier today, it’s time to face the Trump menace and save democracy. Let’s f---ing go.

So please take a minute to donate $20.24 or more to support Daily Kos' Get Out The Vote efforts this fall.

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:35:12 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Summing up, he hits the key points of the speech: 

I see a future where we defend democracy not diminish it. 

I see a future where we restore the right to choose and protect other freedoms not take them away. 

I see a future where the middle class finally has a fair shot and the wealthy finally have to pay their fair share in taxes. 

I see a future where we save the planet from the climate crisis and our country from gun violence. 

Above all, I see a future for all Americans!  

I see a country for all Americans! 

And I will always be a president for all Americans! 

Because I believe in America! 

I believe in you the American people. 

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:33:31 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

“In my career I’ve been told I’m too young and I’m too old,” Biden says, taking the age issue head on.  

“Whether young or old, I’ve always known what endures. Our North Star. 

The very idea of America, that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. 

We’ve never fully lived up to that idea, but we’ve never walked away from it either. 

And I won’t walk away from it now.”

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:32:16 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

This is the core of his message. The core of the 2024 campaign:

“My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy. A future based on the core values that have defined America. Honesty. Decency. Dignity. Equality. To respect everyone. To give everyone a fair shot. To give hate no safe harbor. “

“Now some other people my age see a different story. An American story of resentment, revenge, and retribution. 

That’s not me.”

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:30:31 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

This last section was a bit of a laundry list: fentanyl, AI, protecting children online. All things Republicans should be happy to stand up for. Nope.

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:28:23 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

In this foreign policy section of the speech, Biden talks China. 

“Frankly for all his tough talk on China, it never occurred to my predecessor to do that.

“We want competition with China, but not conflict.”

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:26:50 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

“As we look to the future, the only real solution is a two-state solution,” Biden says. “I say this as a lifelong supporter of Israel and the only American president to visit Israel in wartime.”

”There is no other path that guarantees Israel’s security and democracy.”

“There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live with peace and dignity.”

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:25:26 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Biden now talking about the Hamas attack on Israel, the hostage crisis and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

“Tonight, I’m directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the Gaza coast that can receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters.”

And to Israel: “Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip.”

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:22:44 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Reporter in the chamber says that GOP Rep. Van Orden of Wisconsin was the member who yelled “lies” when Biden criticized Trump.”

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:21:35 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Biden introduces “ Jasmine, whose 9-year-old sister Jackie was murdered with 21 classmates and teachers at her elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.”

“I did do something by establishing the first-ever Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the White House that Vice President Harris is leading. 

“Meanwhile, my predecessor told the NRA he’s proud he did nothing on guns when he was President.” 

After another school shooting in Iowa, Biden says, Trump said we should just “get over it.” 

“Stop it! Stop it,” Biden says. “I say we must stop it.”

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:19:14 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Someone in the gallery yelled over Biden while he was talking about his accomplishments to address violent crime. He got booted.

“To take on crimes of domestic violence, I am ramping up federal enforcement of the Violence Against Women Act, that I proudly wrote, so we can finally end the scourge of violence against women in America! “

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:17:42 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

He’s talking climate now. “We are also making history by confronting the climate crisis, not denying it.”

---

UPDATE: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 · 3:16:55 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

“John Lewis was a great friend to many of us here. But if you truly want to honor him and all the heroes who marched with him, then it’s time for more than just talk.” Call for Congress to pass the  the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Acts.

He’s on a roll on fundamental civil rights. “Pass the Equality Act, and my message to transgender Americans: I have your back! “

”Pass the PRO Act for workers rights! And raise the federal minimum wage because every worker has the right to earn a decent living!”

---