The State of Joe Biden Address

Joe Biden and his team are now readying not merely for the State of the Union but the state of Joe Biden.

Donald Trump wanders through the campaign season fully at ease in his vision of a dystopia, a nation on the edge of the abyss, a system rigged to effectuate his political demise. Not bounded by reality or truth, he is free to say  whatever wanders from his mind to his mouth. With malice for most. His Vegas shtick honed to perfection.

This Thursday it is Mr. Biden's turn. But he will be graded on a far different curve than Mr. Trump. Each step analyzed, each stumble magnified. How he physically appears as important as what he says. The messenger, maybe far more than the message, under the microscope.

Tell me of the last meaningful quote from the annual address to the country. Prove to me the impact an early March speech had on the November election. Yes, the rhetoric, if soaring, could for a short while bend the needle slightly in the direction of the speaker. But soaring rhetoric is not Joe Biden. And November seems a very distant slog from here.

My fear is that Mr. Biden's speech can do little good but his speech can do much harm. Can provide fodder for Mr. Trump, Fox News and all those who would hold that "rumors of Mr. Biden's death are not greatly exaggerated". Will not ultimately elevate the President but could bring him to his knees.

I hate to be a glass half empty guy but I am holding my breath that the state of Joe Biden is good. Otherwise the state of the union is in nothing short of critical condition .