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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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Emotions hit Kershaw at parade ‘long time coming’

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November 2, 2024

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Emotions hit Kershaw at parade 'long time coming'

  • Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff WriterNov 1, 2024, 07:30 PM ET

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      ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw approached the podium on a blue, circular stage set up in center field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, after the downtown parade he’d always wanted, with his teammates bowing from behind, and the emotions hit him.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Kershaw, his voice cracking, told a crowd of 42,448 people who showed up to celebrate the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ World Series title. “I didn’t have anything to do with this championship, but it feels like I have the best feeling in the world — that I get to celebrate with you guys!”

When the Dodgers last won it all, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from enjoying most of the pageantry presented to Major League Baseball’s champion, most notably a parade. Kershaw, who had spent his prolonged career chasing a title, never got to fully enjoy a moment that admittedly lifted a massive burden off his shoulders. When the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night, it gave the franchise its first full-season championship since 1988 and provided its players with an opportunity to fully celebrate.

It probably meant most to Kershaw, even if a foot injury prevented him from helping.

“I think in 2020 there was like a sense of relief almost,” Kershaw said. “And this one — especially because my role is pretty limited, just to be able to sit back and enjoy it, you know? I think there’s just a lot more happiness, honestly. Just so happy to be able to celebrate finally. That parade was for this season, and I feel that this season was unique in its own, and we’re gonna celebrate accordingly. But 2020, too — it’s a long time coming. We had a long time coming for this parade. So to be able to finally do it — I think the build-up made it even sweeter, honestly.”

Seven double-decker buses consisting of players, family members and coaches took a two-mile route from Gloria Molina Grand Park near City Hall, down 1st Street and through Grand Avenue before making their way to Dodger Stadium at around 12:30 p.m. PT. Ice Cube, who famously kicked off Game 2 of the World Series last week, greeted them with a rendition of his iconic song “It Was A Good Day.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts danced alongside him, then went about introducing some of his key players.

Walker Buehler, who recorded the final out, wore Orel Hershiser’s grey road jersey from the 1988 World Series and yelled expletives into the microphone. Kiké Hernández, in many ways the team’s spiritual leader, stirred the crowd by prompting them to yell “we don’t give a f—,” a reference to his line during an on-field, postgame interview after a pennant-clinching victory. Shohei Ohtani navigated the parade with his dog, Decoy, in tow, then spoke English from the stage.

“This is so special for me,” Ohtani told the crowd. “I’m so honored to be here and to be part of this team. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, fans!”

Some of the biggest cheers went to Freddie Freeman, who willed his way through a litany of injuries in October and ultimately won World Series MVP. Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “played with one leg and one rib,” a reference to his sprained right ankle and, as ESPN reported Thursday, the broken costal cartilage he sustained the night before the National League Division Series.

Roberts said the team “got out of the woods” with Freeman’s rib issue in the time off between the end of the NL Championship Series and the start of the World Series, helping Freeman launch a Kirk Gibson-style walk-off grand slam in Game 1.

“But he wasn’t nearly close to 100 percent,” Roberts added.

Neither was Kershaw, of course.

The 36-year-old left-hander underwent shoulder surgery last offseason and didn’t make his 2024 debut until late July. Then, in his seventh start, he aggravated a long-standing toe injury. Attempts to return for the postseason only led to other ailments, forcing him out for the stretch run of the season.

On Wednesday, Kershaw said, he’ll undergo surgery to fix his left foot — consisting of a bone spur and a ruptured plantar plate, among other issues — and another procedure to address a meniscus issue in his left knee.

At some point over these next few days, Kershaw will either exercise his player option for 2025 or sign a new contract to return for his 18th season with the Dodgers.

For 17 years, Kershaw established himself as one of the most monumental figures in the franchise’s illustrious history. He won three Cy Young Awards and an MVP, made 10 All-Star teams, became the all-time leader in strikeouts and accumulated the second-most wins. But he was continually part of star-studded Dodger teams that came up short in the playoffs and, fairly or not, shouldered the blame for much of it.

The 2020 championship brought him vindication.

The 2024 championship allowed him to properly celebrate.

“I knew it was gonna be a special day, all the stuff, but it was a little bit more emotional than I expected,” Kershaw said. “It’s a day that I’ll definitely never forget. You know, baseball is just a game. Everybody says that. But I don’t know, man. You look around and you see how much it means to so many different people. It might be baseball, but it means a lot to a lot of different people. I’m no different.”

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Buehler dons Hershiser’s ’88 jersey as L.A. parties

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November 2, 2024

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Buehler dons Hershiser's '88 jersey as L.A. parties

  • ESPN News Services

Nov 1, 2024, 03:02 PM ET

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field party on Friday.

“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who usually only speaks in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”

Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger fans.”

Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and joining in on the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the middle of the field.

“You guys wanted a parade. We got a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let’s get ready to run this back next year, too.”

Players exchanged hugs and back slaps on the stage as blue-and-white confetti drifted in the air and the team’s signature song, “I Love L.A.,” blared. Their children played on the field, with Freddie Freeman‘s 8-year-old son, Charlie, leading some of them in jumping up on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.

Players took turns passing around the Commissioner’s Trophy.

“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” utilityman Kiké Hernández asked. “Absolutely nobody.”

Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “played with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the first baseman’s injuries.

“I did everything I could to get on the field for you guys and I’m so glad I did because we got a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can’t wait to run this back next year.”

Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and the coaching staff rolled through streets packed on both sides with blue-clad fans. The City of Los Angeles estimated the crowd to be more than 200,000.

“This is incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “L.A. really showed out today.”

Several players smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life. They’re all Dodger fans.”

A shirtless Hernández hung over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko, nearby.

“I’m totally overwhelmed with the amount of fans who are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled along. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute. The fans and everybody has been so welcoming.”

Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, never.”

Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser’s jersey from the team’s 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernandez said.

Fans cheered and waved at their heroes. The parade occurred on what would have been the 64th birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year winner who died days before the World Series began.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

A portion of the proceeds from the ticketed stadium event will be donated to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Yanks pick up closer Weaver’s option for $2.5M

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November 2, 2024

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Yanks pick up closer Weaver's option for .5M

  • Associated Press

Nov 1, 2024, 07:07 PM ET

NEW YORK — Luke Weaver‘s 2025 option was exercised by the New York Yankees on Friday for $2.5 million.

Weaver took over from Clay Holmes as Yankees closer in September and finished 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA and four saves, striking out 103 and walking 26 in 84 innings.

The 31-year-old right-hander was 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA and four saves in the postseason as the Yankees won their first American League pennant since 2009 and lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

He was claimed off waivers by the Yankees from Seattle in September 2023, became a free agent and re-signed with New York in January for a $2 million deal that wound up earning him another $250,000 in performance bonuses.

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