Randi Rhodes wrong on the President's authority to convene a joint session of Congress.

[JDPriestly]

I just heard Randi Rhodes assert that the President does not have the authority to convene Congress in a joint session for his speech on September 7, 2011. Limbaugh apparently is also making that claim, and Boehner is apparently asserting the right to object to the President's calling off that session.

Here is what the Constitution responds to them:

The Constitution, Article II,

Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress

He (the President) shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper;. . . .

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#A1Sec8

Could not be clearer. Why are these ignorant Republicans wasting our time on this kind of nonsense?

I hope that every TV network points out this provision of the Constitution this evening on the news. It would be highly partisan in favor of Republicans to fail to do this.

The Constitution has made this a nonpartisan call in the President's favor.

Sorry, Randi and Limbaugh and perhaps Boehner, you are utterly wrong on this.

Please read the Constitution. Please. Please. Please.