Because providing the American people with

your "substantive jobs plan" can wait. The Republican preznitial debate is much more important.

President Obama acquiesced to a request from Speaker John A. Boehner on Wednesday to move the date of his proposed address to a joint session of Congress to Thursday Sept. 8, after Mr. Boehner all but rejected Mr. Obama’s request to speak next Wednesday.

Mr. Obama had asked to deliver a much anticipated speech outlining his proposals to boost employment and the economy on Sept. 7 — the same night as a scheduled Republican presidential debate, as it happens.

Behold the jellyfish. Not that the mouth and the anus are one and the same.

--WT

Comments

[kate]

WOw Johnnie's brain! Or is that Obama after he once again tells them, "Yes of course I'll change the date, sorry for the confusion, I didn't really mean to make the issue of jobs and my job get in the way of your Stupid Fest. By the way, how about I pitch in for the after party?"

[dave™©]

The local fishwrap didn't like my comment about how the only "balls" Obama knows are the ones that Boehner slaps against his chin...

[snabby]

Way to go, Preznit Spelunk.

[Mr. Flibble]

I am offended on behalf of the world's jellyfish.

[Mr618]

Both Obama and Boehner are acting like spoiled children, and BOTH need a time out. Of course Obama knew about the Rethuglican debate (and if he didn't, he's too flippin incompetent to be president), and of course Boehner said no just to be pissy.

Jebus, I'm almost starting to miss gee-dubya... at least he was ballsy enough to come flat out and say "it's my way or the highway." All Obama can come up with is "have it your way."

[sukabi]

for all the bitching and moaning about how O caved, if the republicans don't have significant ideas on tackling unemployment, getting the economy up and running for folks other than the upper 1% (they won't), if all they do is yammer on about how O isn't doing enough, isn't American enough (they will), ect, then O's address on the economy and jobs will be significant in that he has an actual plan, and the Repubs don't and quite frankly aren't interested in anything other than reducing their taxes and gutting the social safety net for everyone else...

this is one of those times when it's more profitable in the long run to lose the skirmish to win the war...

[oldswede]

It is weepy's House. Constitutionally, Obama cannot command use of the venue; he must be invited and he has no authority to force B-man to do so. Equal branches of government, etc.
It would be a useless, unwinnable fight for the President and a major distraction from his speech since all that the major media reporters would cover would be the food fight and not the jobs initiative. Better to just move along and get his message out.
oldswede

[Gigi]

I agree with oldswede! Boner is just trying to bait Obama (and we all know Mr. Orange is a master baiter) and Obama was wise to refuse to take the bait. Like it or not, the prez took the High Road on this one.

[pansypoo]

moved to befor the packer game + i hear, no publkkklan response. win win.

[HarpoSnarx]

"President Obama acquiesced"

No longer a question of if, now it's how long before the spokes-geek announces the surrender. I mean, "acquiescence."

[karen marie]

Mr618: The date the president asked for is the first day Congress is back in session, which is why he asked for it. His request didn't come out of the blue -- the White House had scheduling discussions with Boehner's office, and Boehner did not indicate any issue with the date.

I'm having a hard time imagining why it is that so many who claim to be Democrats are slamming Obama on this rather than Boehner who is the first House Speaker to refuse a president's request for a joint session.