As Andy suggests, even if it were not scheduled on a GOP debate night: He is going to essentially launch his reelection campaign before a joint session of Congress?
Well, given how it is being positioned, congressional Republicans would be wise to put their clearest communicator out there to respond to the president. Watch Senator Rubio at the Reagan Library if you have not already — he seems the obvious choice.
Boehner should agree, so as to not to look churish; but only if Obama sets his boring platitudes to music (think Umbrellas of Cherboug), with Clinton on saxophone and Mike Huckabee on bass guitar.
That would insure the proper level of seriousness.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNot a film that comes up often on a political forum...or anywhere else. LOL (But I have watched it many times.)
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusechurish -- good word.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusechurlish - good word
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusechurish - not so much
I think my spell check listened to Obama and went to sleep.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTell him "no dice" -- until he shares the speech first.
Remember the Supreme Court and the SOTU?
Remember Paul Ryan?
Obama is setting up the GOP for a highly partisan campaign speech where they are props and punching bags for his BS.
If all he is going to do is repeat bromides and talking points and berate the GOP as "unpatriotic" for refusing to raise taxes in a recession then tell him to stick a sock in it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusethe republicans should refuse to attend. One republican should attend from each body in case they try a procedural trick, but otherwise, they are not at his beck and call.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnd they should get up and walk out when he gets snarky. Okay, well at least wait until 10 minutes in and then leave cuz he'll have been snarky from the get go.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBoehner should agree to the joint session only if Obama promises that he will be introducing actual written legislation to be considered by Congress within 24 hours of the speech.
No need to hear Obama give a speech urging the passage of legislation that is still just in the dreaming/planning stages.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI say that we move the Republican debate to the following night. Then have all the candidates take the intervening 24 hours to study and destroy the President's silly speech.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhy should Boehner agree to Obama's request? I mean, really? He should just say to Obama's operatives: it's too short notice, we can schedule it later, and, oh, please send over the details of your proposal before we have our next meeting. The Congress is not just another Obama prop, like the fake Roman stage set created for his acceptance speech in Denver in 2008. Boehner is all about preserving the dignity of Congress. Let's see him do it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJust ask for the proposed legislation. No need to lecture Congress.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI think it would look bad for the Republicans to not attend. I also think bpbatista has it right. Obama only wants the joint session to use Republicans as props and punching bags. There is no other reason for Obama to have them in attendence.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBoehner should happily agree and send everyone out to the media with the message that the joint sesssion indicates that Obama is reversing course on regulations strangling business and about tax reform (lowering corporate rates) and that this means Obama is willing to compromise and meet them halfway including measures from the congressional republicans jobs plan. You know, those things that "reasonable people" agree must be done. Then of course when Obama delivers the same old, partisan speech--Republicans can follow up with their "disappointment" that the President won't compromise and agree to "common sense solutions" to get the economy back on track. Ideally, the candidates would all reinforce the message for the following two hours during the debate to really drive home the message.
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