Subtitles section Play video
-
State of the Union addresses can be a type
-
of partisan Pilates for some.
-
For others, it can be a direct ticket
-
to becoming an internet meme.
-
Behind many of these reactions
-
is a careful calculation, and we break it down.
-
You won't find many Democrats jumping out of their seats for President Trump.
-
Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia is the exception.
-
He's sitting right in the front.
-
And that's likely not a coincidence.
-
Here he is again applauding Trump's jab
-
at those who kneel for the national anthem.
-
And again after Trump mentions rising wages.
-
It's a re-election year for Manchin
-
and he's in a state that overwhelmingly voted for Trump.
-
Now he's apparently showing support for a president
-
from the opposing party.
-
Let's go to the other side of the aisle.
-
“We repeal the core of the disastrous Obamacare.
-
The individual mandate is now gone. Thank heaven.”
-
Did you catch that?
-
Overwhelming excitement,
-
except for Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
-
Last summer,
-
Murkowski played a key role to squash
-
efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
-
“Working with the Senate,
-
we are appointing judges who will interpret
-
the Constitution as written, including a great new Supreme Court justice.”
-
President Trump threw a compliment right
-
at Neil Gorsuch,
-
but he didn't take the bait.
-
“... in the history of our country.”
-
Did you notice who stood? Senator Joe Manchin.
-
But justices must make careful and largely coordinated
-
choices about what statements are uncontroversial enough
-
to warrant applause.
-
“We can achieve absolutely anything.”
-
“America is grieving for you.”
-
“Kenton Stacy would have died if it were not for Justin's selfless love.”
-
Another group that attempts to play it down the middle: the military officials.
-
Like the justices,
-
they must decide what is partisan platitude
-
and what is not.
-
“And I will not stop until our veterans are properly
-
taken care of, which has been my promise to them
-
from the very beginning of this great journey.”
-
“We must modernize and rebuild our nuclear arsenal, hopefully
-
never having to use it.
-
But making it
-
so strong and so powerful that it
-
will deter any acts of aggression
-
by any other nation or anyone else.”
-
Watch as they hesitate.
-
“That the coalition to defeat ISIS has liberated
-
very close to 100 percent of the territory.”
-
To clap or not to clap? In a deeply divided Congress,
-
applause or silence can send a powerful message.