Trump’s speech strategy: The good, the bad, and the good again

Last night’s speech was the ultimate policy-version of a compliment sandwich.

President Donald Trump gave the first State of the Union-style address of his second presidential term on Tuesday night, and the objective was clear: Remind the people why they voted for him on Nov. 5. Overall, he succeeded.

Setting aside my usual grievances with these acts of political theater — including the breathless partisanship, endless moments of …