President Biden is set to deliver his third State of the Union address on Thursday, a high-stakes night that could be pivotal in quelling Americans' concerns about his age as he ramps up his re-election campaign.
Why it matters: It's his final State of the Union before the November election and a high-profile opportunity to highlight his accomplishments — and his capacity and energy — to a highly skeptical electorate.
Biden will indirectly mention his age, according to excerpts shared with reporters: "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."In an apparent jab at former President Trump, he'll continue: "Now some other people my age see a different story: An American story of resentment, revenge, and retribution.
That's not me."
What to watch: Biden is expected to tout "historic" accomplishments from his first term, such as on infrastructure, and argue he would protect that agenda during a second term, Axios' Alex Thompson reports.
On the economy, Biden is expected to outline a populist vision, including raising taxes on the very wealthy and large corporations and using the funds to support working-class families, Axios' Neil Irwin reports.
On foreign policy, he is set to announce that he has ordered the U.S. military to conduct an "emergency mission" to open up a maritime route to boost aid to Gaza, per Axios' Barak Ravid.Biden is also expected to pledge to "restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again," according to the excerpts.
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