On the very spot from which Joe Biden addressed the American people, insurrectionists had tried to hijack his ascent to the presidency. That was less than four months ago.

However typically upbeat Biden’s tone in his first ever star-turn before a joint session of Congress, the rancour and bitterness remain a big part of the story of the country he leads.

But Biden stood on the dais, where an angry mob had marauded, and did what he has done for decades: painted the American people an optimistic picture, pitching them a future of brighter days where ordinary folks get to win too.

“America is on the move again, turning peril into possibility, crisis into opportunity, setback into strength,” he said.

What he neglected to mention was that, if he gets his way, it comes with an eye-watering price tag.

The American Families Plan he announced will cost $1.8 trillion. The American Jobs Plan he talked up will cost $2 trillion. Add that to the $1.9 trillion of the COVID relief bill.

Never have the trillions been waved around so cavalierly in Washington DC. Biden said the richest in America will be paying through higher taxes.

It is a manifesto for big government.

Biden and his supporters see the spending as essential to reshape the American economy and the role of government in rebuilding after four years of Donald Trump and a year of COVID. He called this moment an “inflection point”.

Whether you think it is ambitious or reckless probably depends on where you sit on the political spectrum.

Whether it stands any chance becoming a reality, even with Democrats in control of both chambers of Congress, is far from clear in these polarised times.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Just as with Biden’s focus on police reform in the wake of the verdict in the George Floyd murder trial – demanding progress by the anniversary of his death next month – there will only be so much patience with words rather than action.

Biden isn’t on the campaign trail now – America’s problems are his to solve.

On climate change, foreign relations, guns, equality and immigration, we already knew the shape of Biden’s vision.

The delay in staging the address did give Biden scope to claim credit for the success of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out across the country.

But how the pandemic has changed everything was evident in the room. Where a heady crowd of 1,600 usually jostle for space in the chamber, a more subdued 200, vaccinated and security screened, made for a sparse audience.

In fact, the real history of the night took place behind Biden. For the first time two women, Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, occupied the seats of power at the president’s shoulder.

Biden has seen more of these addresses than most, for thirty years on the floor as a senator and for eight at the right hand of Barack Obama.

Where the country once saw Speaker Pelosi rip up Trump’s speech and a congressman yell “you lie” at Obama, Biden’s turn came, almost 100 days into his term, at a time when the sense of change and uncertainty in the country is palpable.

He made no mention of Trump.

“We have stared into an abyss of insurrection and autocracy, of pandemic and pain, and ‘we the people’ did not flinch,” he said.

But all the promises in the world will be meaningless unless they are kept.

Related posts:

It’s going to be an uphill battle for lawyers to justify Derek Chauvin’s treatment of George Floyd Police chief says Derek Chauvin’s actions against George Floyd were in ‘no way’ part of his training Teenager saves boy’s life from 800 miles away after watching him crash quad bike live on TikTok Facebook’s Trump decision sends a message to politicians globally ‘He had a big bark but no bite’: Obama family mourns loss of pet dog Bo At least four killed and 159 unaccounted for after Miami building collapse ‘I’ll call you in the evening’ – McAfee ‘not suicidal’ in hours before death, says wife Report warned of structural damage to collapsed Miami block three years ago – and sister building ‘could be evacuated’ Baby girl rescued alive from under car after suspected drink driver crashes into shop Biden ends US military’s combat mission in Iraq to focus on ‘strengthening’ partnership Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles pulls out of final due to apparent injury Alec Baldwin ‘heartbroken’ and ‘fully cooperating’ with police after woman shot dead on movie set