Former chief of staff to Senator Mitch McConnell, Josh Holmes, shared insights on the upcoming State of the Union address by President Biden. Holmes highlighted the importance of managing expectations for Biden's speech, emphasizing the need to avoid any significant gaffes that could raise concerns about his age or ability to lead. He noted that Biden is likely to address key issues such as Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan aid, and the border crisis, which Holmes believes could be a challenging topic for the President.
Despite the administration's efforts to highlight achievements like infrastructure, chip manufacturing, and lowering drug prices, Holmes expressed skepticism about the impact of these accomplishments, suggesting they were largely achieved on a partisan basis. He pointed out that the lack of a clear domestic agenda has contributed to Biden's lower approval ratings.
Regarding potential debates between Biden and former President Trump, Holmes predicted that they would likely occur given the competitive nature of both individuals. He emphasized the necessity of a debate to address concerns about Biden's fitness for office and speculated on the format and timing of such an event.
On the topic of endorsements within the Republican Party, Holmes discussed McConnell's endorsement of Trump and Governor Glenn Youngkin. He highlighted the shared goal of party unity to secure victories in upcoming elections, suggesting that both McConnell and Trump understand the importance of presenting a united front against the Democrats.