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President Biden is expected to use his State of the Union address as a launching pad for a likely reelection announcement in the coming weeks, but a batch of new polls show he still has work to do to convince voters that he deserves a second term.

Biden is likely to use Tuesday’s prime-time speech to argue the economy and Americans’ day-to-day lives are better than when he took office. The president will then hit the road to tout his achievements as his plans to run for reelection appear to be full steam ahead.

But there are signs that even a productive past year that featured major investments in the economy and declining concerns about a recession may not be enough for Biden to excite even some in his own party about a 2024 bid. 

“I think this is an impossible speech to give because it’s a speech that requires him to speak both about the state of the union as it is and the direction he hopes to lead it, which is about playing the role of statesman. But it also is going to lay the groundwork for most likely his own run for office in 2024, which will call for him to be decidedly political and to cover all kinds of ground,” said William Howell, a political scientist at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. 

Biden and his team believe they have a strong case to make to the American public that they can contrast with the chaotic early weeks of the House GOP majority. The White House especially wants to focus on the economy, which has seen some unprecedented turn around in recent weeks.

Biden plans to point to recent economic data that has shown record-setting job growth and the cost of goods falling, which, taken together, have economists optimistic that the U.S. will avoid a recession, something that was a major concern just a few months ago.

But Biden is going into his speech on the heels of a Washington Post-ABC News poll that showed 62 percent of Americans think the president accomplished “not very much” or “little or nothing” in his first two years in office.

Four out of 10 of those polled indicated they are personally worse off financially since Biden became president, the most recorded in that survey in 37 years.

A Monmouth University poll released Monday found just 24 percent of Americans feel the country is headed in the right direction, down significantly from a high point of 41 percent in April 2021. 

“I think the core message is we have to make more progress, but people should feel optimism that, because of what we have seen and because of the progress we have made, that we know how to keep making progress going forward,” National Economic Council Director Brian Deese told reporters Monday when asked about Americans who may not be feeling the benefits of Biden’s economic agenda.

Another poll released Monday found that only 37 percent of Democrats want Biden to seek another term, which is down from 52 percent ahead of the midterm elections in November, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. 

Poll respondents cited his age as an issue, which has been a consistent concern for voters and some Democratic Party officials. Biden was the oldest president at the time he was sworn in, and he would be 82 at the start of a second term.

Then there is the Chinese surveillance balloon that traversed a swath of the U.S. last week, which posed an unexpected challenge for the president just days before his address to Congress.

The president has also been dogged by his handling of classified documents after sensitive materials from his time as vice president were found at his Delaware home and a Washington, D.C., office he used from 2017 to 2019.

Additionally, Biden is taking jabs for the one thing that the White House is confident it can take a victory lap on: the economy. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a moderate Republican, on Sunday said that Biden will try to take credit for the economy in his State of the Union speech but argued the achievements of the administration are not impressive.

There are other accomplishments Biden may also pepper his big speech with. The president will likely point to the passage of a bill to fund semiconductor chip manufacturing domestically and of the Inflation Reduction Act, which funds green technology and caps health care costs. 

Biden also supported a bipartisan bill to curb gun violence, a measure to codify same-sex marriage and a bill to add benefits to protect veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. And lately, the president has been traveling to tout projects funded by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

Tuesday will give Biden a major opportunity to dispel concerns about his ability to lead the country and to educate the public on what he’s actually done while in office, both of which will be key to boost momentum going into an eventual campaign announcement.

“When you’re sitting in the White House and you’re a year out from national elections, you understand that there’s no way this speech will be covered as anything other than an opening bid and argument for reelection,” said Patrick Gaspard, president of the Center for American Progress.

The White House believes it can draw a contrast between its own record and that of the relatively young House GOP majority, which thus far has announced plans to investigate Biden’s son Hunter Biden as well as the president’s handling of classified documents and his finances.

White House officials have been quick to pounce on Republican proposals to enact a national sales tax, something even Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) doesn’t support, as well as talk of reforming or cutting Social Security and Medicare, two popular government programs that benefit millions of seniors, a key voting bloc. Live coverage: Biden set to deliver State of the Union Online calculator converts air pollution index into number of cigarettes you’ve smoked

After Tuesday’s speech, Biden will head to Wisconsin to discuss his economic plan and Florida to talk about protecting Social Security and Medicare. Other administration officials will scatter around the country to highlight the Biden agenda this week, as well.

Democratic officials said after the State of the Union is when discussions will likely intensify about staffing and infrastructure for a Biden reelection bid. But Tuesday will give the president a chance to make the case to Americans that they’re better off than they were when he took office, a message that would likely be the backbone of his 2024 pitch, even if it doesn’t seem to have resonated with the public just yet, according to the recent polls.

“I think Joe Biden has been one of the most underrated leaders I have ever seen in my life,” said Tom Perez, former Democratic National Committee chairman and co-chair of American Bridge. 

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Environment

Prime Day-2 Green Deals: Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus, GE 2-in-1 washer/dryer, Lectric e-bikes, EcoFlow, Jackery, Aiper, Greenworks, more

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July 9, 2025

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Prime Day-2 Green Deals: Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus, GE 2-in-1 washer/dryer, Lectric e-bikes, EcoFlow, Jackery, Aiper, Greenworks, more

It’s the second day of the Prime Day seasonal savings and we’ve got another jam-packed edition of Green Deals focusing on some of the best discounts we’ve spotted so far, with all the others rounded up in our Prime Day Green Deals hub here, which is regularly being updated throughout the days, so be sure to check back often. Leading our top three picks today is Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus Portable Power Station and its bundle packages, which are seeing up to $7,994 in savings to new low prices starting from $2,564. Next, we have GE’s Smart Combo Electric Washer & Dryer with Ventless Heat Pump at its $1,750 low, as well as Lectric’s full Better Than Prime Day sale that is taking up to $654 off e-bike bundles starting from $799. All that and much more are waiting for you below.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

You can save up to $7,994 on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus station + bundles at new low prices for Prime Day starting from $2,564

As part of its ongoing Prime Day Sale running through July 13, Anker SOLIX is dropping the prices lower than ever on its new F3800 Plus Portable Power Station starting at $2,564.05 shipped, after using the promo code PDSG5OFF at checkout for an extra 5% in savings – plus, you’ll be getting a free protective cover to boot! We saw this model drop from its $4,799 MSRP to hit a short-lived former $2,649 low in the brand’s early Prime Day sale, which is getting beaten out here by $85. It’s also beating out its current Amazon pricing of $2,699 (usually keeping between $2,999 and $3,899), with the combined 47% markdown here giving you a massive $2,235 in savings at the best new price that we have tracked. And don’t forget about all its bundle options we’ve collected below that are also down at new lows through the weekend.

Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus, as well as its standard F3800 predecessor, are the brand’s largest expanding backup units that start at a sizeable 3,840Wh LiFePO4 capacity, with further investments bolstering that capacity up to a 26,900Wh maximum (when six batteries are attached). It has 15 output port options to connect devices, appliances, and vehicles – with the latter being covered by the L14-30R and TT-30R ports for EVs and RVs. You’ll get up to a steady 6,000W power output normally, while it can surge as high as 9,000W when needed. That output even expands when two stations are paired together, raising the rate to 12,000W for home backup coverage.

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In terms of recharging, the F3800 Plus brings an additional method to the table with its 6,000W input it can receive from a gas generator, while its solar input max has increased to 3,200W (from 2,400W). Of course, there’s also the usual AC outlet charging and more to keep it juiced up and running.

***Note: these prices below haven’t had the extra savings factored in yet, so don’t forget to use the promo code PDSG5OFF at checkout to score the very best deals!

Anker SOLIX’s Prime Day F3800 Plus standard deals/bundles:

Anker’s SOLIX Prime Day F3800 Plus home backup bundles:

To also checkout the pricing on its standard F3800 counterpart and bundles, be sure to check out our full coverage here.

GE 2-in-1 smart combo electric washing machine and dryer

Save space or double up with GE’s 2-in-1 smart combo electric washer/ventless heat pump dryer at its $1,750 low

As part of its Black Friday in July Sale, which is running parallel to Amazon’s Prime Day Sale event, Best Buy is offering a returning low price on the GE Profile 4.8 Cubic-Foot Smart Combo Electric Washer & Dryer with Ventless Heat Pump down at $1,749.99 shipped, which is beating out the brand’s direct pricing by $249. While it usually goes for $2,900 at full price, at Best Buy it’s been more recently fetching $2,700, with discounts having kept the costs between $2,000 and $2,200 in 2025. The last time we saw prices fall this low was during Best Buy’s Black Friday sale, with this being the first time it showed up in the new year with $950 in savings at the best price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this unit, be sure to check out our original coverage of the deal here.

Lectric XPress 750 e-bike

Lectric’s Better Than Prime Sale offers up to $654 in free gear with e-bikes starting from $799

Lectric’s Better Than Prime Sale is in full swing with up to $654 discounts across its e-bike lineup, which includes the preorder deal on the new XP Trike2 and increased bundles on the new XP4 e-bikes. Sadly, if you were hoping to score the XPedition 2.0 Dual-Battery Long-Range Cargo e-bikes, they are out of stock following the July 4th sale, but the brand has since restocked another popular model, the XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes that come with $336 in free gear at $1,299 shipped. The bundles are the same as the last few sales we’ve seen, which would normally run you $1,635 in full were it not for the usual savings – not to mention the $200 off option for a spare battery to double its range (found on its landing page). All-in-all, you’ll be getting a steel-encased rear cargo rack, fenders to go over both tires, an Elite headlight upgrade, and a suspension seat post. Head below for more on this and the other models seeing savings during this limited-time event.

If you want to learn more about this model or get the full rundown of e-bike deals we’re seeing during this sale, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

EcoFlow Prime Day power station sale

Power outdoor adventures with EcoFlow’s stations and bundles at up to 62% off in Prime Day savings starting from $199

EcoFlow’s Prime Day Sale is in full swing and lasting through July 11 with up to 62% off its power stations and solar generator bundles – plus, there’s extra savings to score using the promo code EFPDAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off your order. Among the many units we’re seeing at some of their lowest rates, a notable standout to cover your trips into the wilds, jobsites, and emergency needs is the DELTA 2 Max Solar Generator bundle that comes with a 500W solar panel (4 x 125W) for $1,281.55 shipped, after using the promo code. This newer package would usually run you $2,699 at full price, with it only available directly from the site. At Amazon, the closest matching bundle you can find gives you the station with a 400W panel for $1,279, meaning you’re getting the brand’s largest portable panel for just $3 more. The combined 53% markdown here gives you $1,417 in savings at the best price we have tracked. Head below for more of the best deals we’re spotting during this sale.

If you want to learn more about this power station or get the full lineup of power station, solar generator bundles, and add-on accessory savings, be sure to check out our full coverage of the sale here.

Aiper Surfer S2 robotic solar pool skimmer

Let Aiper’s Surfer S2 robot worry about skimming your pool while being powered by the sun at new $280 low

As part of its ongoing Prime Day event, the official Aiper Amazon storefront is offering its popular Surfer S2 Robotic Solar Pool Skimmer at $279.99 shipped. It carries a $400 MSRP, but at Amazon, we’ve been seeing it keep down at $340 lately, with discounts usually taking things to $320, and one previous discount to $300 from last month. Today’s deal brings you a new all-time low, giving you $120 off its price tag for the best deal we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this popular model, be sure to check out our full coverage of the deal here.

Jackery Prime Day power station sale

Jackery’s full Prime Day Sale with up to 65% discounts, bonus savings, free gifts, and more sees return and new lows from $89

Jackery has switched over to its full Prime Day Sale through July 11 with up to 65% discounts on power stations, solar generators, and more – plus, there are extra savings, limited stock free gifts, and membership benefits too. Among the offers this time around, we’re seeing returning and new low prices on Jackery’s new HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station and its bundle options, starting from the station on its own at $1,614.05 shipped, after using the promo code PRIME5 at checkout for an additional 5% off, which beats out the Amazon pricing by $85. This new model (also known as the Explorer 3000 v2) hit the market back in May carrying a full $2,499 price tag, and which discounts brought down to $1,699 for the first time during the early Prime Day Sale. That low price is returning here, with the extra 5% savings making things all the better for a second chance at the best pricing we have tracked, saving you $885 in the process.

If you want to learn more about this all-new power station, or browse the full lineup of deals we’re seeing during this sale, be sure to check out our full coverage here.

greenworks pro 2,700 psi electric pressure washer

Greenworks’ Pro-tier 2,700 PSI electric pressure washer falls to new $285 low for Prime Day, more

As part of its ongoing Prime Day deals event, Amazon is offering the Greenworks Pro 2,700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer at $284.99 shipped, which is beating out the brand’s direct pricing by $15. It normally fetches $400 at full price, with discounts having kept above $320 before this week. It fell to $300 at the beginning of Prime Day, but has since dropped lower to this new all-time low price. You’ll be saving $115 off the going rate while the savings last, upgrading your outdoor cleaning game at the best price to date.

If you want to learn more about this model’s capabilities, as well as browse the lineup of electric pressure washer deals we’re seeing, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Technology

Bitcoin rises to fresh record above $112,000, helped by Nvidia-led tech rally

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Bitcoin rises to fresh record above 2,000, helped by Nvidia-led tech rally

The logo of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin can be seen on a coin in front of a Bitcoin chart.

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Bitcoin hit a fresh record on Wednesday afternoon as an Nvidia-led rally in equities helped push the price of the cryptocurrency higher into the stock market close.

The price of bitcoin was last up 1.9%, trading at $110,947.49, according to Coin Metrics. Just before 4:00 p.m. ET, it hit a high of $112,052.24, surpassing its May 22 record of $111,999.

The flagship cryptocurrency has been trading in a tight range for several weeks despite billions of dollars flowing into bitcoin exchange traded funds. Bitcoin purchases by public companies outpaced ETF inflows in the second quarter. Still, bitcoin is up just 2% in the past month.

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Bitcoin climbs above $112,000

On Wednesday, tech stocks rallied as Nvidia became the first company to briefly touch $4 trillion in market capitalization. In the same session, investors appeared to shrug off the latest tariff developments from President Donald Trump. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite notched a record close.

While institutions broadly have embraced bitcoin’s “digital gold” narrative, it is still a risk asset that rises and falls alongside stocks depending on what’s driving investor sentiment. When the market is in risk-on mode and investors buy growth-oriented assets like tech stocks, bitcoin and crypto tend to rally with them.

Investors have been expecting bitcoin to reach new records in the second half of the year as corporate treasuries accelerate their bitcoin buying sprees and Congress gets closer to passing crypto legislation.

Don’t miss these cryptocurrency insights from CNBC Pro:

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Politics

Bitcoin soars to new all-time high above $112K as traders liquidate shorts

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Bitcoin soars to new all-time high above 2K as traders liquidate shorts

Bitcoin soars to new all-time high above 2K as traders liquidate shorts

Bitcoin price roared to a new all-time high above $112,000. Cointelegraph explains why.

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