The SOTU and the Inmates of the House GOP Asylum

I have previously commented on the peculiarities of the folk who constitute the GOP majority in the House of Representatives but, for a political blogger, they are a gift that keeps on giving. Their latest charity, unconscious but conspicuous. was on full display at President Biden’s State of the Union message.

For all the work that goes into them, State of the Union messages are seldom, if ever, memorable. (A test for readers: try to remember one.) Biden’s Tuesday address, however, was an exception. His speech was well crafted and well delivered, but those qualities would not have lifted the event out of the ordinary. What made this occasion stand out was the antics of House Republicans, exemplified by Marjorie Taylor Greene. While Greene was the poster child of rude behavior, she was far from alone in her attempts to heckle the President. Their tactics, however, clearly backfired.

The rudeness of Greene and her collaborators not only failed to rattle Biden a bit, but gave him an opportunity to respond with vigor, good humor and style. He could hardly have asked for better foils if he had called on Central Casting to supply a selection of live props to play the roles of fools. For any in the television audience concerned about Biden’s age, his performance provided clear evidence suggesting his fitness to campaign in 2024 and, if elected, to govern thereafter.

Conversely, the Republicans demonstrated, yet again, their inability to function as an opposition party comprised of responsible grownups. Sadly, that deficiency goes far beyond bad manners. The prime example is the Republican posture with respect to the debt ceiling. The irresponsible conduct of Republicans in that respecct was discussed here last month and it continues to this day.

There is a compelling argument that the debt ceiling should be eliminated altogether. Beyond that, however, it is clear that increases in the debt ceiling should be made without negotiations holding the creditworthiness of the United States hostage for this or that demand. After all, increasing the ceiling only approves payment for debts already incurred. Finally, the towering height of Republican irresponsibility is shown by their failure to agree on among themselves, and specify to the President, exactly what their demands are.

The Washington Post published an article specifying possible demands by Republicans, “Gut spending? Slash the IRS budget? 7 GOP ideas for debt limit talks.” The article, which readers are urged to review, makes clear the questionable practicality of any and all Republicans’ possible demands. For the moment, however, the point is that the Republicans have failed to settle on any of those demands or any others. Their failure to do so surely reflects a recognition that none of their demands make much sense or are likely to gain much traction with the public.

Biden’s posture, that he will refuse to negotiate over the debt ceiling, is well grounded in principle, but probably untenable in practice. He would be better advised to express a willingness to negotiate, but emphasize Republicans’ failure to identify specific and coherent negotiating demands. While the issue may seem arcane to much of the public, most will recognize that Biden cannot be expected to negotiate with himself.