Biden’s State of the Union was a campaign speech — but not for the general election

One would be forgiven for mistaking President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday night as a campaign speech. It was overtly political, with the president making more than a dozen references to his “predecessor” and current rival, former President Donald Trump, and several dozen more about the supposed “threats to democracy” Trump poses.

But Biden’s reelection pitch wasn’t aimed at the general election voters he needs to win over. It was aimed at the left wing of the Democratic Party, which he also needs to win over...