Jessica Yellin Instagram – STATE OF THE UNION President Biden delivered feisty state of the union address tonight. It doubled as a campaign speech launching a re-election effort. Here he got thunderous standing ovations and a number of times Democrats in the chamber broke out with chants of “four more years.” He led a call and response with the chamber, when he shared plans to ensure the wealthiest never pay a lower tax rate than working Americans. He vowed never to bow to Putin and called on House Republicans to find the votes to continue funding weapons in Ukraine. Note the nod of approval he received from House Speaker Mike Johnson. He also called on the Republicans to support the border security bill they once wanted. Its chief architect, Oklahoma Republican Sen Laknford, mouthed “it’s true” when the President laid out the number of border agents and judges that would have been hired if the bill had passed. He singled out justices on the Supreme Court for the decision overturning Roe v Wade and warned them women will turn out to flex their political power and protect their reproductive rights. He invited to the speech a woman who had to travel out of Texas to get an abortion when her health was in danger. Also in the chamber, another woman whose IVF procedure was put on hold in Alabama after the state supreme court put those who provide those services in danger of civil litigation. He also announced plans to build a pier into Gaza to allow the delivery of significant amounts of aid entering by sea; and pledged US troops will not be on the ground. He also vowed to contribute to support Israel in its fight against Hamas; called for the release of the hostages; and the protection of Palestinian civilians. He touted success bringing down inflation, keeping unemployment low, and powering a strong GDP. He stumbled on words or mumbled a number of times but he was feisty, high energy and seemed to be enjoying himself. Even the post-game pundits on mainstream channels seemed to agree he was high energy and outperformed expectations.