If Republicans stand their ground and refuse to allow the President to address a joint session

[Empowerer]

He should just give a primetime speech at 8:00 on September 7th.

[monmouth]

1. I hope that's what he does do... n/t

[yardwork]

2. I hope that he does that and tells America why the Republicans couldn't be bothered to show up.

[Logical]

3. I BEG this to happen. But not confident.

[muntrv]

4. Forget speaking to Congress, I say speak to the people on the tee-vee.

[gateley]

5. Have they actually declined -- said no? I'd only heard that

Boehner suggested a change, and the WH said too bad, no good reasons given to warrant the change.

Let me know if I missed something -- thanks.

[bluerum]

6. I think so. Then no chance of repuke outbursts during the address.

[Historic NY]

7. He can call either house to order.....if they don't show preempt them.

[razorman]

8. I think they will be able to turn this to their advantage, if the president is not careful.

Since their debate has been planned for quite a while, and President Obama's speech was only recently scheduled, they will make it look like he is only doing it for political reasons. Now that the conflict over the scheduling has gone public, I do not see a way for either side to bend on it without appearing weak.
Also, the president's speech absolutely HAS to be a real humdinger, because of all the buildup. He will definitely need to be in top form for this one. By the same token, the Pubbies cannot afford for their debate to be anything less than spectacular. It is going to be fun watching how this all plays out.

[FSogol]

9. Don't worry, the GOP debate will be spectacular. Bachmann is going to speak in tongues & Perry will

clear brush.

:shrug:

[pnorman]

10. "Also, the president's speech absolutely HAS to be a real humdinger"

I think we can count on that happening.

[razorman]

12. I wish I were as confident. Unfortunately, we are not the ones that must be convinced.

Many of his speeches since he took office have not gone over so well with the general public. Many people(even former supporters) seem to be tuning him out these days. I'm afraid that I do not have a lot of faith in the public's judgement most of the time. They may find themselves more entertained by the twitching rodeo clowns on the other channel.
All that being said, not only must the speech be a great one, but his plan must also show good results immediately, or it will be declared a failure. The president is not being cut much slack at all these days.

[high density]

11. This apparently is the new GOP standard operating procedure

Say to the President that everything is A-OK in private, then go to the media and gin up some sort of fake controversy about nothing.

[woolldog]

13. or he could cave.....and move the date like he just did.

Cowardly.

Your suggestion would've required a pair.

[SadPanda]

14. They didn't stand their ground, the joint session is the next day....

And will stamp out the press the crazy GOP debate got.

[mazzarro]

15. Boy-oh-boy!

It is becoming increasingly hard to take anything that comes from this WH seriously if it is opposed by the rethugs. Rethugs will always come out on top whenever there is a clash with the WH. I am tired expecting anything different from Obama when it comes to standing up to rethugs.

[EffieBlack]

16. What makes you think the Republicans have come out on top?

The President is getting exactly what he wants - he's speaking before a Joint Session of Congress next week.

This is not a "victory" for Republicans. They just look silly and overly political. The Speaker of the House has diminished himself by allowing the scheduling of business of the Congress to be shaped by a Republican primary debate.

[sweetapogee]

17. give that OP poster

a cigar!

What he said...

:yourock:

[Empowerer]

18. My post was based on an erroneous assumption: that the Speaker was refusing to allow the President

to speak at a joint session. Instead, it turned out that the Speaker was simply saying that September 7th was not a good day but that September 8th was acceptable.

Given that, I don't have a problem with the President giving the speech one day later. And I don't think he should have insisted on giving the speech, no matter what, on September 7th since there's nothing special about that date.

[sweetapogee]

19. ok

then gimmie back my cigar!

:rofl: