(AP) — Who’s clapping now?
On the brink of his Senate acquittal, President Donald Trump will be unleashing “relentless optimism” during his third State of the Union address, a speech designed to pivot from his impeachment to his drive for reelection. Trump is speaking from a position of strength, with nearly complete control of the Republican Party. The theme of his speech: “The Great American Comeback.”
It’ll be a different experience for Democrats, nearly all of whom voted for Trump’s impeachment in the House. Where Trump will point to GOP unity ahead of the 2020 elections, Democrats and their difficult nomination will be on display after a long night of uncertainty in Iowa’s kickoff caucuses — an “unmitigated disaster,” as Trump tweeted Tuesday.
The contrast with Trump’s State of the Union address last year will be stark. Then, Democrats were triumphant just a few days after taking control of the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi had forced Trump to reopen the government. Her smirking clap, eye-to-eye with him, mocked the president of the United States in front of the world.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the Democratic response to the address at East Lansing High School.
The Michigan Democratic response from party Chair Lavora Barnes followed.
“Tonight, Governor Whitmer made Michigan proud by showing the American people what real leadership looks like as she highlighted her plans to grow Michigan jobs, expand access to health care, and fix the damn roads," Barnes said. "Her tireless advocacy on behalf of Michigan working families stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who breaks every promise he makes and lies relentlessly to cover for his failures. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Whitmer as we fight to hold Trump accountable for his broken promises to Michigan voters, re-elect Senator Gary Peters, turn every community in Michigan blue, and elect Democrats up and down the ticket.”
And of course, the Republican National Committee weighed in saying that the country is "on a great American comeback" as a result of President Trump's promises.
The complete statement reads: “Our country is on a Great American comeback as a result of the promises that President Trump has made and kept. Tonight, he re-capped all he has accomplished for the American people while previewing all the great things that are to come if we continue to put our country and our people first.
Whether it is a booming economy with the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years, a rebuilt military, or new and improved trade deals, by every single measure the state of our union is stronger now than it was on the day President Trump took office.
In selecting my home state governor, Gretchen Whitmer, to sell their socialist policies, Democrat leaders chose a messenger who supports a government takeover of health care, abolishing our immigration and customs agency. Just like so many House Democrats, Whitmer broke her promise to work across the aisle on issues like infrastructure, and instead backed bogus witch hunts that have wasted an inordinate amount of taxpayers’ time and money.
Voters in Michigan and across America will resoundingly reject their socialist policies by re-electing President Trump to a second term this November.”
