1. “No one has benefitted more from our thriving economy than women, who have filled 58 percent of the new jobs created in the last year. ”
[Cue celebration by Democratic women in the House]
“You were not supposed to do that. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. All Americans can be proud that we have more women in the workforce than ever before. Don’t sit yet. You are going to like this.
That’s great. Very great. And congratulations.” – Donald Trump, SOTU 2019
Let’s give credit where credit is due. Trump’s campaign, election, and tenure in the White House inspired those women to run – and fueled their victories.
2. “An economic miracle is taking place in the United States — and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous partisan investigations. If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. It just doesn’t work that way!”
A threat? Wishful thinking? Bargaining by the reality-television dealmaker?
Nixon’s proclamation in his 1974 SOTU, “One year of Watergate is enough,” didn’t get him off the hook. I don’t expect Congress – or Mueller – to turn tail and run this time either. Those newly elected women (and men) in the new majority in Congress, as well as returning Democrats, didn’t come to town to ignore, excuse, lie, and cover up like Paul Ryan’s crew did.
3. “But we must reject the politics of revenge, resistance, and retribution – and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise, and the common good.”
4. Stacey Abrams provided the Democratic response to Trump’s SOTU address. Here’s hoping we’ll see her in the U.S. Senate before long.