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State of the Union 2024 -

On March 7, 2024, Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union Address—one of the most important speeches of his presidency.

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Drawing election battle lines -

Speaking in the House Chamber to a joint session of Congress, President Biden effectively drew election battle lines as he covered the broad themes of his reelection campaign.

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Highlighting key achievements -

The US President highlighted key achievements of his first term in office and made the case that voters should give him a second.

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Voicing support and a warning -

In an often fiery speech, Biden raised several issues including calling for support for Ukraine and warning of the potency of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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World and domestic issues -

Biden also covered immigration, abortion, the economy, and Gaza.

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Election talk -

With a general election looming, the president also took aim at his likely opponent Donald Trump. Referring to him only as his "predecessor," Biden criticized Trump's recent comments about Russia and NATO, and said that he sought to "bury the truth" about the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

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Television audience -

In America, an estimated 27.3 million people watched US President Joe Biden's State of the Union speech, according to Nielsen ratings data from 16 television networks. In addition, more than six in 10 Americans had a positive reaction to the speech, according to a CNN poll conducted by SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).

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The view from the street -

But where exactly do the American people stand on the economy, immigration, and other key issues?

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Pew Research Center survey -

In the run-up to President Biden's State of the Union Address, a survey conducted in January 2024 by the Pew Research Center looked at public opinion on key issues facing the country. The results make for interesting reading.

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Strengthening the economy -

Nearly three-quarters of American adults (73%) say strengthening the economy should be a top priority. In fact, of the 20 policy goals the Pew Research Center asked about, no other issue stands out so emphatically.

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Defending against terrorism -

The survey revealed other, equally compelling statistics. About six-in-10 US adults (63%) say defending the country from future terrorist attacks should be a political priority this year.

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Reducing the influence of money in politics -

According to survey results, 62% of American adults—including similar shares of Democrats (65%) and Republicans (60%)—say reducing the influence of money in politics should be a top policy goal this year.

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Reducing healthcare costs -

Meanwhile, 60% of those surveyed think that prioritizing the reduction in healthcare costs should be a key policy.

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Improving education -

Similarly, 60% of Americans believe improving education should be a top priority of the government.

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Making Social Security financially sound -

And 60% of those surveyed urge the government to make Social Security financially sound.

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Reducing crime -

Along with terrorism, crime is a growing concern. Around 58% of Americans believe reducing crime should be a top priority. But Republicans place more emphasis on these issues than Democrats. 

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Dealing with immigration -

About 57% of Americans say dealing with immigration should be a top policy goal for the president and Congress this year. The growing number of migrant encounters at the southern border has emerged as a key issue in the 2024 election cycle, notes the Pew Research Center.

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Reducing availability of illegal drugs -

The opioid crisis in the United States is of major concern, and 55% of Americans believe reducing the availability of illegal drugs needs to be made a top priority by the government.

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Reducing the budget deficit -

Fifty-four percent of Americans say reducing the budget deficit needs to be a top policy goal for the president and Congress in 2024.

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Improving the way the political system works -

Nearly 52% of Americans would like to see an improvement in the way the political system works.

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Improving the job situation -

Many Americans, in fact 49% of those surveyed, say that improving the job situation across the nation should be high on the list of government priorities.

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Improving the energy system -

Forty-six percent of Americans believe the president and Congress should make improving the energy system a top priority.

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Protecting the environment -

Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say protecting the environment (63% vs. 23%) should be a top policy priority for 2024. Pictured is the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Dealing with problems of poor people -

Addressing poverty and dealing with the problems of the poor is regarded as a top policy priority by 44% of Americans.

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Improving transportation -

Forty-four percent of Americans say that improving transport services and infrastructure needs to be prioritized.

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Strengthening the military -

Strengthening military capability is seen by 40% of Americans as a top policy priority for the government.

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Dealing with climate change -

The survey revealed wide partisan gaps on climate policy. Mirroring the response to environmental issues, Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say climate change (59% vs. 12%) should be a top policy priority for the government and Congress. In fact, according to Pew, addressing climate change ranks last on Republicans' list of priorities this year.

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Addressing issues around race -

Only 32% of Americans say addressing issues around race should be a top policy priority.

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Dealing with global trade -

And just 31% of Americans feel that dealing with global trade merits top priority.

Sources: (Pew Research Center) (U.S. News & World Report) (Reuters) (CNN) (BBC)

See also: The largest exporters in the world

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