Analysis: A milder-sounding Trump leans on the same divisive issues
President Donald Trump opened his State of the Union speech Tuesday night with a plea for unity forged on common ground. By the end of his address, it was clear how little he would give up for it.
Trump said he was "extending an open hand" to opposition Democrats gathered in the chamber. By the end of the speech, it may have felt like the back of one.
The president's tone and tempo were slowed and moderated by his use of a teleprompter, so he appeared more statesman-like than the raucous Trump seen in campaign events - and expressed in his Twitter feed - except when he adopted his rally habit of applauding for himself as the audience did.
But the prepared text that he stuck to so closely defied any
