Polls don't bode well for Biden despite his triumphs

When Joe Biden accused some Republicans of wanting to “take the economy hostage” and slash social welfare entitlements, the US’s State of the Union address turned into a verbal brawl akin to the UK’s House of Commons. “No!”, “Boo!”, “Liar!” came the response.

- David Smith

The US president took on the hecklers. “So, folks, as we all apparently agree, social security and Medicare is off the books now, right?” he sparred. “They’re not to be touched?… We got unanimity!” He gave Republicans an offer they could not refuse: to rise from their seats in support of the elderly.

At a stroke, Biden had bested his opponents and partially assuaged doubts that, at 80, he has the fight for a gruelling re-election campaign next year. It was an important victory at a time when opinion polls show that even most fellow Democrats hunger for a new generation of leaders.

Even so, one speech will not be enough to solve the puzzle of the two Bidens. One is the Biden visibly energised by Republican jeers who found a way to squash them without smugness; the Biden who rallied the west to support Ukraine and helped Democrats defy history in the midterm elections; the Biden who reeled off the most consequential list of legislative accomplishments since President Lyndon Johnson more than 50 years ago.