Posted on 08/31/2011 12:10:17 PM PDT by markomalley
There are no coincidences in presidential politics.
Strategists spend hours poring over every word a president utters, every policy position he takes and every state he visits, a level of attention to detail that makes happenstance virtually nonexistent.
And so, when the White House announced today that President Obama would deliver his much-anticipated jobs speech on Sept. 7 at 8 pm — the exact same day and time that the 2012 Republican candidates are scheduled to debate in California — the idea that the timing was purely coincidental was, well, far-fetched.
It’s clear that this White House saw an opportunity to drive a major — and direct — contrast between President Obama and his potential Republican rivals and took it.
As to whether that’s a good idea, strategists — even within the Democratic party — are divided.
First, let’s get the official line from the White House on the scheduling of the speech.
“It is coincidental,” said spokesman Jay Carney at today’s press briefing. “There are a lot of factors that go into scheduling a joint session of Congress for a speech. You can never find a perfect time. ... There are many channels to watch the president and to watch the debate.”
True enough — but not the whole truth. (The air of “truthiness” one might say.)
Yes, it is hard to schedule a presidential address to Congress. And, yes, there are lots and lots of cable channels.
But, the political reality is that by scheduling the jobs speech at the same time as the debate the White House is trying to force a choice and a contrast.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
He has plenty of justification to refuse....does he have the cojones?
Thoughts???
The GOP should boycott, but won’t
Boehner...cojones...does not compute...
Hey, BHO2 weilds his middle-finger to his opponents during interviews, debates and speeches.
WAPO well knows their ‘man’!
Cut Obama some slack.
He had his people check next weeks calendar and September 7 at 8pm is all he had available.
Perhaps one of the Republican candidates will have the insight to say: “Obama has had a lazer focus on job creation for 2.5 years and this is the Nth major address he has made on the subject all saying more government debt will fix the problem. How much more evidence do we need that his policies won’t work?”
There is no valid reason for a joint session of Congress; I’m certain that the skid mark believes his reelection is of paramount concern to him, but as always, he is wrong. Boehner should grow a set, ask to have the skid mark define the national security or other valid reason for the request, and then deny it once he comes back with his snotty “because I said so” response.
Here I was.....somewhat hopeful...and you go and bum me out...
The WP just said the WH is lying for political reasons.
After today’s jobs report of fewer created than expected, I’m wondering about the announcement about the jobless rate that will come out tomorrow? friday?
In any case, would the WH move indicate the UE number will be higher or lower than 9.1%?
My guess is that the “discouraged quotient” will drive the UE rate down to 8.9 or 9%. Every week’s numbers have shown more UE claims made, and today’s report said too few jobs were created.
That can only mean that the numbers of already employed dropping off the UE charts is staying high.
I think we should all call the WHITE HOUSE!! TELL THEM WE ARE NOT GOING TO WATCH HIS STUPID SPEECH AND EXPRESS OUR OUTRAGE THAT OBAMA WOULD PULL A STUNT LIKE THIS!
LET’S ROLL!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
My thought is that Prince Barry
will use it as an excuse for poor
ratings.
And it gives him the opportunity to
give the candidates the middle finger.
Lady Gaga could beat either one of these shows in the ratings.
Can't do next Wednesday. To support colon cancer awareness, I, and all the GOP leasdership, are having colonoscopies next Wednesday afternoon. Doctors say we can ONLY have ONE a day. Sorry.
Wasn't there a similar incident some time back where a Republican had a major speech scheduled and at the last minute Obama went on TV and hour before that?
Yeah, the Obama IQ SALUTE.
Barky pulled this same stunt on Trump by getting his show preempted. It’s very childish.
It may be too much to hope for, but just imagine if FOX would elect to show the debates and thereby offer the public a chance to make Obama’s snarky scheduling a national straw poll?
Let the ratings for 8PM that night be a referendum by the segment of the public who actually give a hoot.
I just got through to the WH comment line aftering holding for about 5 minutes. I told the woman that what Obama has done in scheduling this speech during the GOP debate was petty and divisive and not good for this country! I told her that I would be organizing a boycott of his speech with my family and friends if he went ahead with it. I was polite but firm!
I ask that my fellow FReepers do the same:
202-456=1111 WH comment line. You will get a live operator after you hold.
Congrats, Zero...this is the first really transparent thing you’ve done.
I can't imagine that he does; because he would have made use of them before this.
Wasn’t there a similar incident some time back where a Republican had a major speech scheduled and at the last minute Obama went on TV and hour before that?
&&&&
Yes, when VP Cheney could keep silent no more about the badmouthing the Bush Administration was getting from the Obama operatives, he scheduled a speech at AEI or National Press Club. Obama scheduled a teleprompter event to conflict with Cheney’s appearance.
Politico has an article....it requires a concurrent resolution of BOTH Houses of Congress for the president to speak..Ron Paul may object..he could force a vote....which then couldn’t happen until next Wednesday, the day of the speech..when the Hosue comes back..GOP in the Senate could also block it..
GOP were smart - they would allow Peter Schiff a one hour rebuttal of Obama.
schiff would slice, dice, and gut obama like a fish on this.
Boehner’s got ‘em....rejoice..(G)
Boehner should turn this into a TV ratings contest...Repub debate vs. Obama’s speech.
u funnie!!!!
He doesn’t even have un utero. (Nancy keeps his for him)
he is worthless and god-help us if he isn’t replaced/retired/sent away in the disgrace he has earned.....
jes sayin...
P.S. Golfing buddies don’t diss golfing buddies, right?
Read before posting.
Amazed, I am.
I'm hoping there will be a good baseball game on TV at that time--otherwise I'll just turn the set off since Obama will be on most of the channels.
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