'Genius work of the Republicans': Analysts say GOP helped Biden by delaying State of Union
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) may have thought he was flexing his newfound power by delaying President Joe Biden his State of the Union Address before Congress until March — but, in fact, he might have just handed the president a huge gift, suggested MSNBC's Chris Hayes.
That's because he actually moved the date of the address, which is often a boost to the presidents' popularity, to a period when it will actually affect the presidential campaign.
"The timing is important for this week," said Hayes.
"One of the benefits of incumbency, which is demonstrated in political science time and time again, is the President of the United States gives a speech that tens of millions of Americans watch. That will be time to be the first speech of the general election, the first speech after which it is clear to everyone, after tonight — not getting ahead of ourselves, but I think the writing is on the wall to the two nominees will be."
Biden, Hayes continued, "Will get to enter the U.S. Capitol and speak as the commander-in-chief and the leader of the free world and President of the United States about what his vision and what his record is.
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"There's tangible benefits to incumbency that have been shown time and time again, and one of the questions that starts on Thursday is how that boosts a Biden re-election campaign."
Responding, Lawrence O'Donnell said, "This is the genius work of the Republicans in charge of the House."
All of this comes at a moment when Johnson, who replaced former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as speaker after an ouster vote was forced by a faction of GOP hardliners, is struggling to control his caucus.
The speaker recently passed a stopgap to avert a government shutdown, which outraged the far-right faction and set up a possible revolt against him.