The Presidential President Trump

President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress is being hailed as a “home run.” He came across as presidential. He was eloquent, measured, and reasonable. He also showed a lot of heart, expressing compassion (including for the Muslims who are also victims of ISIS) and giving a touching tribute to the widow of a Navy SEAL killed in a recent operation in Yemen. (Now Trump, like virtually every modern president, has had a soldier die under his command. That has to be hard.)

Trump was also reassuring. Not only did he refrain from his bomb-throwing Twitter mode. He defending his immigration policies, while also opening the door to comprehensive immigration reform that would include a path to legality–if not citizenship–for law abiding illegal immigrants who are already here. He promised to eliminate Obamacare but to replace it with a better comprehensive health plan. He made a case for the policies he campaigned on, but made them seem not so scary to those whom they might affect.

He put forward ideas that Democrats usually advocate and which they will find hard to oppose, despite their posture of “resistance”: paid family leave, $1 trillion in infrastructure spending, protection for American workers.

After his speech, the reassured stock market soared 300 points. Republican lawmakers became ebullient. Democrats were frustrated. And despite the way the media and Trump have been bashing each other, the press gave the speech glowing reviews.

Controversies will continue to flare up, but no one should underestimate President Trump.

Read the speech after the jump or watch it here:

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

Remarks as prepared for delivery

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and Citizens of America:

Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of our Nation’s path toward civil rights and the work that still remains. Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week’s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a Nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.

Each American generation passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice — in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present.

That torch is now in our hands. And we will use it to light up the world. I am here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength, and it is a message deeply delivered from my heart.

A new chapter of American Greatness is now beginning.

A new national pride is sweeping across our Nation.

And a new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp.

What we are witnessing today is the Renewal of the American Spirit.

Our allies will find that America is once again ready to lead.

All the nations of the world — friend or foe — will find that America is strong, America is proud, and America is free.

In 9 years, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding — 250 years since the day we declared our Independence.

It will be one of the great milestones in the history of the world.

But what will America look like as we reach our 250th year? What kind of country will we leave for our children?