3/4/2024

JRB,

            How is the SOTU prep going? NBC suggests it’s “the most consequential in decades” & “the most important political speech so far in the 21st century.” While these statements are rather sensational, the SOTU is important & a stumble or gaffe would be bad. Some think that if you can “parry the boos in real time,” you’ll go a long way in convincing people you still have your mojo.

            I’m not convinced that talking about revamping the tax code is going to excite people. Better to talk about reproductive rights, climate change & a ceasefire in Gaza.

            FYI - my daughter expressed doubts about you & may not vote. She says you have not followed through on your student debt promises. I know you have accomplished something on that front, but she’s not satisfied. She’s also upset about Gaza. She will be hard to please. I encourage you to host a focus group at Camp David this week to test out your messaging.

            According to The Washington Times, your cabinet will be going on a campaign blitz next week. Please send Sec of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, our way so we can talk to her about PG&E. It’s too big! They can’t manage the demands to get homes up & running after a storm AND to hook up new buildings to the grid. They can’t even find the time to respond to queries. My co-housing group had to pull some strings to get on their radar. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work!!!

            In your breaks from preparing for the SOTU, please confer with Thailand about its plans regarding Burma. Igor Blazevic writes about Thailand’s idea to open the border for humanitarian aid & warns, “the ‘Thai humanitarian convoy’ should not be handed over on the border with a lot of pomp to the military-controlled Myanmar Red Cross to be distributed to 20,000 people in military-controlled territories.” He thinks that will just prolong the conflict.

            WINTA,

            BYBS,

            RCA