President Joe Biden, 81, tackled his age problem head-on during Thursday’s State of the Union address, joking about it but also hinting that his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, 77, will lead the way with “old ideas.
He got people in the room laughing when he said, “I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around for a while.”
Biden then struck a more serious tone about the differences between him and Trump as leaders.
‘Mine “Fellow Americans, the problem facing our nation is not how old we are, but how old our ideas are,” the president said. “Hate, anger, revenge and retaliation are the oldest ideas, but you can’t run America with age-old ideas and just take us back.”
He told the crowd that “when you’re my age, certain things become clearer than ever.”
President Joe Biden, 81, tackled his age problem head-on during Thursday’s State of the Union address, joking about it but also hinting that his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, 77, will lead the way with “old ideas
“I know the American story,” the 81-year-old said. ‘Again and again I have seen the struggle between competing forces in the battle for the soul of our nation.”
“Between those who want to pull America back into the past and those who want to take America into the future,” Biden continued.
“My life has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy, a future based on core values that have defined America: fairness, decency, dignity and equality. To respect everyone. To give everyone a fair chance. To not give hate a safe haven,” the president added.
He then alluded to his rival, Trump, as the general election kicked off in earnest this week, with Trump’s final challenger, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, withdrawing.
“Other people my age see it differently,” Biden said. ‘The American Story of Grudge, Revenge and Retaliation.’
“I’m not,” he said.
At least a year into the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump told the crowd, “I am your retaliation.”
Biden then reminded voters of his popular biography.
‘I was born in the middle of World War II, when America stood for the freedom of the world. “I grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware, among the working class people who built this country,” he said.
“I watched in horror as two of my heroes – as many of you did – Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated and their legacy inspired me – a career in service,” Biden continued.
Kennedy’s son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is running as an independent against Biden in the general election.
“I left a law firm and became a public defender because my city of Wilmington was the only city in America occupied by the National Guard after Dr. King was killed because of the riots,” he noted. ‘I became a provincial councilor almost by accident. I was elected to the United States Senate when I had no intention of running for office at the age of 29.”
He then boasted about how he served alongside historic firsts, noting that he was “the vice president to our first black president, now president to the first female vice president.”
“I was told in my career that I was too young,” he said. “By the way, sometimes they wouldn’t let me into the Senate elevators to vote. No joke.’
“Now I’ve been told I’m too old,” he said.
“Whether I’m young or old, I’ve always known – I’ve always known what lasts,” the president said.
He spoke of the vision that every American should be equal, something “we have never fully lived up to,” but also something we should never walk away from.
“And I won’t run from it now,” Biden promised.
Biden said a future under his leadership would include defending democracy, restoring the “right to choose” and ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes.
“I see a future where we save the planet from the climate crisis and our country from gun violence,” he said, citing two key issues for younger voters.
“Above all, I see a future for all Americans. I see a country for all Americans. And I will always be president for all Americans. Because I believe in America. “I believe in you, the American people,” he said. “You are the reason we have never been as optimistic about our future as I am now. So let’s build a future together.’
Trump has said he doesn’t even want Haley’s former supporters to be part of his MAGA movement.
Biden brought up what is considered his biggest political liability as he wrapped up the speech.
“Let me close with this,” the president said.
As the crowd cheered, Biden joined them and said, “Yayyy!”
“I know you don’t want to hear anymore Lindsey, but I have to say a few more things,” he said, nudging his former friend turned MAGA Republican, Senator Lindsey Graham.
He ended his speech with his signature line about being optimistic about the country’s future.
‘Let’s not forget who we are. We are the United States of America and there is nothing, nothing beyond our ability if we act together,” the president said.