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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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Labor Day Sales from Anker SOLIX, Jackery, and Rad Power Bikes, score massive $683 savings on Luckeep X1 Lite e-bike at $466, more

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August 22, 2025

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Labor Day Sales from Anker SOLIX, Jackery, and Rad Power Bikes, score massive 3 savings on Luckeep X1 Lite e-bike at 6, more

Closing out this week’s Green Deals is several holiday sales from some of our favorite brands, lead by Anker’s SOLIX Labor Day Sale that is taking up to 61% off power stations and solar bundles starting from $120. We also have further Labor Day Sales from Jackery (up to 50% off with bonus 5% and 7% savings) and Rad Power Bikes, a massive $683 price drop on Luckeep’s X1 Lite Folding All-Terrain e-bike at $466, and much more waiting for you below. Plus, all the hangover savings are at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Lectric Labor Day Sale with the $500 price cut on the ONE e-bike to a new low, Anker’s eufy SoloCam S220 deals, and more.

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.

Review: The ST3 Pro e-scooter brings serious suspension alongside smart controls and more as Navee’s latest flagship

As a long-time rider of Segway electric scooters, my expectations are quite high for new brands looking to climb their way up to the standard that the household-name has set in stone at this point. Only within the last few months did Navee come onto my radar, with the brand offering me the chance to test out its latest flagship model, the ST3 Pro Electric Scooter, which has been quite the surprise, to say the least. At first, it seemed like it was full of gimmicks that were destined to fail, but after riding around for several weeks now, I can happily say that Segway may just have found a new challenger. Head below to get my hands-on impressions of this high-end e-scooter that still retains accessible pricing for the stunning list of features.

To get our full hands-on impression of this new flagship e-scooter, be sure to check out our review here.

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Anker SOLIX power stations

Save up to 61% on Anker SOLIX power stations and solar bundles during its Labor Day Sale – deals start from $120

Anker has launched its Labor Day Sale running through August 30 and taking up to 61% off the brand’s lineup of power stations, solar bundles, accessories, and more. Coinciding with the new pre-launch promotion on the upcoming C1000 Gen 2 station, we spotted Anker dropping its first-gen C1000 Portable Power Station bundled with a 200W solar panel and protective waterproof bag back to $729 shipped for the second time. This bundle normally fetches $1,598 in full, which we saw discounts take as low as $799 until last month’s Prime Day Sale when it hit this low price for the first time. At Amazon, you’ll only find the station and solar panel pairing for $700 shipped, so you’re getting the waterproof bag (valued at $100) for $30 more. This is a 54% markdown that cuts $869 off the tag for a second chance at the best price we have tracked. Head below to browse this sale’s full lineup.

The Anker SOLIX C1000 power station is one of the brand’s best compact backup power companions for camping trips, right alongside the smaller C800 Plus, C300 series, and C200. While not as big as its home backup models, it still brings a solid 1,056Wh LiFePO4 battery (expandable up to 2,112Wh) along for your off-grid adventures with 11 output ports that provide up to 1,800W of steady power that can surge as high as 2,400W. It can refill its own battery to 80% in 43 minutes through a standard AC outlet, with it taking 58 minutes to reach full. There’s also the 600W max solar input that can recharge it in 1.8 hours, so with the included 200W panel, you’re looking at things taking a little longer, around five or so hours. And your solar setup gets the added protection of the waterproof bag that fits the station and keeps it safer from the elements.

Anker’s other SOLIX C1000 Labor Day Sale deals:

Anker’s SOLIX C800 Labor Day Sale deals:

Anker’s SOLIX C300/C200 Labor Day Sale deals:

Anker’s SOLIX F2000 Labor Day Sale deals:

To check out Anker’s full SOLIX Labor Day Sale lineup, including the larger power stations and solar generator bundles, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

woman riding Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus e-bike through farm

Rad Power’s Labor Day Sale takes up to $600 off three legacy e-bikes starting from $999 + 25% accessory discounts

Rad Power has launched its Labor Day Sale promotions through September 3 with up to $600 taken off a selection of e-bikes alongside up to 25% discounts on accessories (applied in cart). Alongside the ongoing $999 low on the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike that now sports a “last chance” mention, Rad has added one of my favorite models to the deals lineup, the RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru Fat-Tire e-bike at $1,299 shipped. We last saw this model come off its $1,599 price tag back in June for the brand’s Father’s Day sale with a $200 discount, with today’s deal being the first we’ve seen its $1,299 pricing show up in 2025, which has mostly kept costs at $1,399 or higher, except the brief fall to the $1,199 low at the top of the year. Aside from that low price in January, you’re otherwise looking at the best deal of this year, saving you $300 off the going rate. Head below for more on this and the other models seeing discounts.

If you want to learn more about this model or the other models seeing discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

Man standing next to Luckeep X1 Lite folding e-bike atop mountain

Affordable get up to 60 miles of commuting support on Luckeep’s X1 Lite folding all-terrain e-bike at a $466

AliExpress is offering a great deal for commuters shopping for e-bikes on a budget, with the Luckeep X1 Lite Folding Electric Bike currently available for $465.77 shipped, after using the code USAFF100 at checkout for an additional $100 off, which beats out Amazon by $84 and the brand’s direct website pricing by $283. This model normally fetches $1,149 at full price from the brand, and is now seeing a giant $683 price drop for one of the lowest prices we have ever tracked and delivering a much more affordable means to commute to your daily appointments.

If you want to learn more about this budget-friendly model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this massive discount here.

Jackery power stations sit atop box with flag in background for Labor Day sale

Jackery’s Labor Day Sale offers up to 50% off on power stations and more with bonus 5% and 7% savings starting from $89

Jackery has launched its Labor Day Sale through August 28 with up to 50% discounts on its lineup of power stations, as well as bonus 5% and 7% savings on orders over $1,300. Among the offers this holiday season, we spotted Jackery’s legacy Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station bundled with an expansion battery and two 100W solar panels for $1,519.05 shipped, after using the code EMAIL5 at checkout for an extra 5% off your cart’s total. This bundle would normally cost you $2,099 in full, with discounts having usually being on the station and solar panels for $1,299. The addition of the extra battery would cost you $459 right now, meaning you’d normally be spending $1,758 for this same setup. You’re looking at a combined 28% markdown here that cuts $580 off the tag for the best price we can find. Head below to get the full lineup of deals we’re seeing during this sale.

If you want to learn more about this solar bundle, or browse the full extent of Jackery’s Labor Day lineup, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

woman cutting branch with greenworks 60V 16-inch cordless chainsaw

Clear storm debris with Greenworks’ 60V 16-inch cordless chainsaw kit at $190 annual low

Amazon is offering the Greenworks 60V 16-inch Cordless Chainsaw with a 2.5Ah battery at $189.99 shipped, which beats out the brand’s direct website pricing by $50. While it normally carries a $300 MSRP, we’ve been seeing it recently keep down at $240 at Amazon, with discounts having only gone as low as $200 this year. You’re looking at the best price of the year so far on this model, which has shed $50 off the going rate ($110 off the MSRP) and lands as the second-lowest overall price we have tracked – $40 above the low we last saw during Christmas sales.

If you want to learn more about this chainsaw’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

woman handing man drink from goal zero alta 50 portable electric cooler

Save 30% on Goal Zero’s Alta 50 single-zone and Alta 80 dual-zone electric coolers starting from $560

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Goal Zero is offering its Alta 50 Portable Electric Fridge and Freezer for $559.89 shipped, with its larger Alta 80 variant also seeing an equally significant discount (more on that below the fold). This smaller unit normally goes for $800 at full price, which we’ve mostly seen discounts this year drop between $640 and $560, though there was one fall to $559, not to mention the falls to $550 and the $522 low back in 2024. You’re looking at the second-best price of 2025, though, with the 30% markdown here cutting $240 off the going rate, landing it at the fourth-lowest price overall that sits $38 above the one-time all-time low from Black Friday.

If you want to learn more about this cooler or its larger variant, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal 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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US retirement plans could fuel Bitcoin rally to $200K despite downturn: Finance Redefined

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2 hours ago

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August 22, 2025

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US retirement plans could fuel Bitcoin rally to 0K despite downturn: Finance Redefined

US retirement plans could fuel Bitcoin rally to 0K despite downturn: Finance Redefined

Crypto inclusion in 401(k) plans may be more significant for Bitcoin than the 2024 launch of US spot Bitcoin ETFs, according to Bitwise’s European head of research.

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Coinbase predicts trillion-dollar stablecoin era by 2028

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2 hours ago

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August 22, 2025

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Coinbase predicts trillion-dollar stablecoin era by 2028

Coinbase predicts trillion-dollar stablecoin era by 2028

The forecast, which was published on Thursday, came amid renewed interest in stablecoins from several governments around the world.

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