(CNN)CNN Opinion contributors weigh in with their tweets on President Joe Biden's 2023 State of the Union speech.
Two big takeaways - Biden gave as good as he got, he came with the receipts and the fire in the belly! Second, Kevin McCarthy's caucus does not respect him.
— Karen Finney (@finneyk) February 8, 2023
Biden gave a fairly partisan campaign speech with a 10 second nod to his actual constitutional obligation as a throwaway line at the end. So a good metaphor for his presidency, actually. #sotu2023
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) February 8, 2023
To sum it up. This was Joe Biden at his very best with too many Republicans at their very worst.
— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) February 8, 2023
Decorum for the State of the Union and respect for the President - any President - is important. Disappointed by some GOP behavior. Glad Kevin sushed them and hope he follows up.
— Doug Heye (@DougHeye) February 8, 2023
Biden is bringing it all full circle with his message about democracy under attack. He set the stakes by laying out a big vision and says we can't achieve it without democracy.
— Natasha S. Alford (@NatashaSAlford) February 8, 2023
"Democracy must not be a partisan issue. It's an American issue," he says to applause. #sotu2023
Like many Americans, I have family members who've suffered from addiction, appreciate President Biden acknowledging the need to both crack down on drug sales and trafficking as well as expanding access to treatment and recovery programs
— Karen Finney (@finneyk) February 8, 2023
Governing's about choosing. Biden has his priorities right. He saved his comments on foreign policy, including rousing words about Ukraine for a few minutes at the end of an hour long address. We have seen the greatest challenge to this Republic. And it's us.
— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) February 8, 2023
China section extremely light, underwhelming. Wow. #sotu2023
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) February 8, 2023
The repeated refrain "Let's Finish The Job" sounds a lot like a re-election campaign slogan. pic.twitter.com/raUtO5355X
— Errol Louis (@errollouis) February 8, 2023
Wow. Speaker McCarthy visibly shushes his own conference as they yell "secure the border" at President Biden.
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) February 8, 2023
Hard to take @POTUS serious when he's talking about border security. Lukewarm bipartisan response to his opinion.
— Geoff Duncan (@GeoffDuncanGA) February 8, 2023
President Biden's discussion of "the talk" is the most emotionally moving part of his speech thus far. He acknowledged his own privilege and invited America to try to relate to the trauma of so many Black and brown Americans.
— Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) February 8, 2023
The Talk and recognizing that the majority of the people in the room don't have to worry every time their son gets in the car. Black and brown families like mine needed to hear that. #sotu2023
— Nayyera (@nayyeroar) February 8, 2023
Heartbreaking to see Tyre Nichols parents at SOTU so soon after his murder. The bipartisan standing ovations give me hope we can reignite efforts for bipartisan policing reform. 🤍
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) February 8, 2023
Tyre Nichols section probably his best yet. Came way too late in this speech. #sotu2023
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) February 8, 2023
I'm tearing up as President Biden mentions "the talk", Tyre Nichols did everything we are taught to do and he still was beaten to death. "Equal protection under the law is a covenant we have in America"
— Karen Finney (@finneyk) February 8, 2023
This is the most fascinating #SOTU. I am mesmerized by the back and forth. Biden is edgy, clever. It has got a real "in the arena" feel and as close to what the constitution probably intended that I've seen in my lifetime.
— Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) February 8, 2023
Playful, relaxed, powerful, folksy, respectful of his opponents, commanding, and empathetic, Biden wanted to demonstrate he could serve another four years. He succeeded.
— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) February 8, 2023
Joe Biden sparring with the crowd and winning wasn't something I expected.
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) February 8, 2023
As the kids say, @POTUS showed up with the receipts on the debt ceiling and just boxed the GOP in on Social Security and Medicare!
— Karen Finney (@finneyk) February 8, 2023
This dishonesty on entitlements totally undercuts his message on bipartisanship. He's not serious about working with Republicans. This speech has gone off the rails. #sotu2023
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) February 8, 2023