Washington: Making a strong pitch for his re- election amidst his impeachment trial, the US President Donald Trump said that America has staged a u2018 great comebacku2019 and the country was u2018 highly respected againu2019. u201c We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable, and we are never going back,u201d an upbeat Trump said in his 78- minute prime time address to a joint session of Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up her copy of Donald Trumpu2019s State of the Union address on Wednesday, in a pointed political gesture after listening tight- lipped to the president tout his achievements to Congress.
The tension between Trump and his Democratic nemesis was palpable from the outset, as Pelosi extended her hand for a handshake u2014 and the president failed to return the favour.
Seated in silence behind the president in the House of Representatives, Pelosi frowned, repeatedly shook her head and smiled disbelievingly until he finished speaking.
Asked afterwards by a reporter to give a reason for her gesture, Pelosi replied: u201c Because it was the courteous thing to do, considering the alternatives.u201d Agencies Des Moines: Joe Bidenu2019s third US presidential bid enters a critical stretch after a disappointing finish in the Iowa caucuses sent the former vice president on to New Hampshire with a skittish donor base, low cash reserves and the looming threat of billionaire rival Michael Bloomberg and his unlimited personal wealth.
In New Hampshire, Biden insisted he had a u2018 good nightu2019 in Iowa even as he trailed the top moderate candidate, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, and the leading progressive, Bernie Sanders, according to initial returns from 71 per cent of precincts. Biden was running fourth, close to Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who just days ago polled in single digits.
That leaves some establishment Democrats, including some Biden supporters, questioning his contention that heu2019ll reclaim clear front- runner status in the race against President Donald Trump once the primary fight moves beyond overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire to more racially diverse electorates.
And itu2019s a reminder of how Bidenu2019s previous presidential campaigns never advanced beyond Iowa.
u201c If he came in fourth, yeah, that could hurt,u201d said Bill Freeman, a Biden donor from Nashville, Tennessee, who added that he hadnu2019t even considered such a possibility.
Agencies Bidenu2019s supporters shaky due to poor show in Iowa US Presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden addresses supporters in New Hampshire on. PIC/ AFP US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi rips a copy of Trumpu2019s speech at the US Capitol in Washington on Wednesday. PIC/ AFP Pelosi rips up Trump speech Supporters question if the former vice president will reclaim a clear front- runner status in the race against the US President Donald Trump
