President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are embarking on a nationwide tour of swing states, while the White House is launching a comprehensive media campaign to ensure that their State of the Union message reaches a broad audience. Recognizing that not everyone will sit down to watch the speech, the administration employs various strategies to disseminate its key policy initiatives.
In addition to the president and vice president’s travel, a dozen Cabinet officials will crisscross the country to address issues such as clean energy, abortion access, and revitalizing neglected areas. White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt emphasized the importance of reaching Americans through multiple channels in today’s fragmented media landscape.
While President Biden takes pride in his economic achievements, including job creation and legislation supporting infrastructure and green energy, polls suggest that his administration faces challenges in effectively communicating its agenda and gaining public support. Questions about the president’s age and accessibility to the press have also arisen.
To maximize the impact of the State of the Union Address, the White House has outlined an ambitious plan for the days following the speech. Regional radio and television stations have been invited to interview senior officials at the White House, while Hispanic radio stations will broadcast live from the premises before President Biden’s address. The administration will also engage with influencers and digital media publishers through briefings and interactions.
After the speech, President Biden will travel to Philadelphia and Atlanta to secure support in key states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, while Vice President Harris will head to Nevada. Starting with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Cabinet members will embark on a series of trips across the country to highlight clean energy projects and discuss job creation.
Republicans are likely to raise concerns about inflation-driven high prices and the escalating situation at the southern U.S. border. President Biden faces the challenge of managing a surge in migration after reversing some of the policies implemented by his predecessor and is urging Congress to pass legislation to address the issue.
Senator Katie Britt, a Republican from Alabama, will deliver the official GOP response to President Biden’s speech on Thursday.
