How the Republicans Will Spin the State of the Union

How the Republicans Will Spin the State of the Union

How the Republicans Will Spin the State of the Union

John Nichols talks about how Paul Ryan will slickly try to sell Americans on ideas that will benefit Wall Street and the super-rich at the expense of the poor and middle class.

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

The Nation‘s John Nichols joined MSNBC’s The Ed Show yesterday to explain how Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will spin the State of the Union in his official Republican response to Obama’s address. Nichols says Ryan plans to take Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare and “squeeze the life out of them.” He mentions that Ryan has voted for free trade deals that have resulted in jobs leaving America and that Ryan wants to “balance the budget” without putting pressure on Wall Street or the super-rich.

“Paul Ryan is a very Reaganesque figure and folks are actually gonna like him. He’s going to come off very well,” explains Nichols. “You’re not going to hear the Sarah Palin/Michelle Bachmann lock-and-load rhetoric. Ryan will come off very smooth, very appealing but you got to go beyond the style and listen to what he says.”

For more on Ryan, read Nichols’s Nation post “The State of the Union Responder: Paul Ryan, R-Wall Street.” Also, to read about what Nichols thinks President Obama will say tonight in his State of the Union speech, read Nichols’s most recent post, “SOTU Signals: What Will Obama Say on Social Security, Trade and Green Jobs?

—Kevin Gosztola

Support independent journalism that exposes oligarchs and profiteers


Donald Trump’s cruel and chaotic second term is just getting started. In his first month back in office, Trump and his lackey Elon Musk (or is it the other way around?) have proven that nothing is safe from sacrifice at the altar of unchecked power and riches.

Only robust independent journalism can cut through the noise and offer clear-eyed reporting and analysis based on principle and conscience. That’s what The Nation has done for 160 years and that’s what we’re doing now.

Our independent journalism doesn’t allow injustice to go unnoticed or unchallenged—nor will we abandon hope for a better world. Our writers, editors, and fact-checkers are working relentlessly to keep you informed and empowered when so much of the media fails to do so out of credulity, fear, or fealty.

The Nation has seen unprecedented times before. We draw strength and guidance from our history of principled progressive journalism in times of crisis, and we are committed to continuing this legacy today.

We’re aiming to raise $25,000 during our Spring Fundraising Campaign to ensure that we have the resources to expose the oligarchs and profiteers attempting to loot our republic. Stand for bold independent journalism and donate to support The Nation today.

Onward,

Katrina vanden Heuvel

Editorial Director and Publisher, The Nation

Ad Policy
x