The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Boehner 1, Obama 0

Posted on | September 1, 2011 | 46 Comments

The White House caused a ruckus Wednesday by attempting to schedule President Obama for a speech to a joint session of Congress on Sept. 7 — which just happened to be the date, scheduled months ago, of a GOP presidential debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

Say hello to “separation of powers”: Nobody at the White House had bothered to clear the Sept. 7 date with the Speaker of the House, who suggested moving the date to Sept. 8 and — after some partisan grumbling – the administration was forced to back down:

“Today, the President asked to address the Congress about the need for urgent action on the economic situation facing the American people as soon as Congress returned from recess. Both Houses will be back in session after their August recess on Wednesday, September 7th, so that was the date that was requested. We consulted with the Speaker about that date before the letter was released, but he determined Thursday would work better. The President is focused on the urgent need to create jobs and grow our economy, so he welcomes the opportunity to address a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday, September 8th and challenge our nation’s leaders to start focusing 100% of their attention on doing whatever they can to help the American people.”

What was this childish stunt all about? Nobody really knows, but Allahpundit gauges the Left’s predictable reaction:

Coming soon to a left-wing blog near you: “He caved again.”

It’s as if the administration, unwilling to fight for anything important — or too politically weak to win any important fight — with the Republicans, decided to fight for something trivial. And the fact that they lost even this juvenile pissing match will only further erode the presidential image.

Which means it’s time for the liberal media to produce another story about how dumb Republicans are.

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Category: Barack Obama, John Boehner

Comments

  • http://thepagantemple.blogspot.com/ ThePaganTemple

    I know what its about. Obama and his goons are scared to death of Rick Perry and were hoping they would dilute the viewership of his premiere debate performance. How do I know this? Because they’ve already started the typical Democrat tactics they use against any Republican opponent they especially fear. The “he’s stupid” meme. They’ve been trotting that toothless old tiger out since the days of Eisenhower. I can’t really think of a time it has really worked, but they just keep doing it. Because they’re just, well, stupid.

  • JeffS

    Obama caves, lefties rage.  Win-win.

  • jwallin

    It’s good to know that the President must give a speech before he can act on his “plan”.

    Does anyone really expect his “plan” to actually DO anything toward aiding business to need to hire more workers?

    Does anyone want to make any bets on who and how many will be blamed for the lack of jobs? (besides himself) Or the conditions that have caused their lack?

    Perhaps the President might consider some of the many anti-business, over regulating actions that HE has ILLEGALLY perpetrated and encouraged during his disappointing time in office.

  • http://thecampofthesaints.org Bob Belvedere

    Obama is a great believer in the Bully Pulpit — emphasis on the word ‘bully’.

  • DaveO

    Obama gets the advantage of selecting soundbites to create better strawmen (and straw-woman) to argue against.

    This won’t be about jobs so much as Obama’s speech is the 2d half of a 2-part Presidential Campaign Debate.

    Recall if you will: Obama never offers specifics – and with soundbites from the GOP debate – he won’t have to offer specifics. Just insults and threats which are the rawest, reddest of meat for his base.

  • Anonymous

    Apparently he isn’t even any good at that, SCOAMF indeed. So he’ll have to whine that it’s not his fault he’s unlucky.
    Don’t stand next to me in an electrical storm isn’t much of an economic plan.

  • Garym

    He’s going to be preaching to his fanbois because I’m watching the start of the NFL season on that night.

  • http://zillablog.marezilla.com Zilla of the Resistance

    He was hoping the networks would air his stupid hectoring speech instead of the debate. So now he will give his speech on the same night that the season’s first NFL game airs. Good luck with that. I think most men, and a lot of women even, would prefer to watch football rather than yet another boring lecture from Captain WTF. I fCongress were smart, they’d sit out of the open session where they are sure to get vilified from the leper messiah’s podium (we all know how he likes to attack the people in his audience – ex. Paul Ryan and the SCOTUS) and go watch football instead. 

  • http://twitter.com/lolajl Lola Lee Beno

    As hubby has the remote, it’s 95% likely that he’ll be tuned to the football game and the SciFi channel. Me, I’ll be fiddling around with code and cranking out another pair of socks . . . 

  • Mortimer Snerd

    I think the Republicans should have acceded to the president’s request and rescheduled the debate, not out of respect for Obama, but out of respect for the office of the presidency. 

  • DaveO

    Respect is as respect does. Obama does not respect.

    The president could have interrupted his golfing in Martha’s Vineyard and delivered another harangue about jobs.

  • DaveO

    Even better: have them watching the game on their iPhones. Or, have them all have wear earphones – when asked, they’re having Obama’s speech translated into something other than crass political attacks that do nothing.

  • Anonymous

    This morning, ABC news radio “reported” this disagreement as yet another example of Republican intransigence, never mentioning the reason why Boehner objected to the proposed timing of Obama’s speech in the first place (GOP debate).

    This type of JournoList propaganda can work either way: on the one hand, MSM’s ongoing project to portray the Republicans as irrationally against everything Obama partly resonates with some low-information voters; on the other hand, it highlights Obama’s feebleness, which also regsiters with them.

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  • http://thepagantemple.blogspot.com/ ThePaganTemple

    If you must watch it, Debbie at Right Truth has a safer alternative to the old drinking game.

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  • http://thecampofthesaints.org Bob Belvedere

    I think Charlie The Kraut Hammer’s idea was the best: the candidates should have asked the debate organizers to move the event
    to 9:00 PM and they should have been allowed to respond to the greatest
    jobs speech of all time in the universe.

  • http://twitter.com/richard_mcenroe richard mcenroe

    When did we grow a throne?

  • http://twitter.com/richard_mcenroe richard mcenroe

    Obama’s jobs plan: move all American jobs to Madagascar.  Invade Madagascar.

  • http://twitter.com/richard_mcenroe richard mcenroe

    Obama’s Jobs Plan:

    1.  Send all American jobs to Madagascar.
    2.  Invade and annex Madagascar.
    3.  Celebrate huge increase in American jobs.

  • JeffS

    First of all, one can respect the office without respecting the person holding the office. 

    Second of all, on an individual basis, respect must be earned.  Among other requirements, to get respect, one must give respect. 

    Third, you are conflating the person with the office.  As is Obama.  Once lefties figure this out, and then accept it, we’ll know, because Obama will stop behaving like a petulant child studying to be a jackass, and start being a responsible adult. 

    And people like you will act like they have a clue.

  • DaveO

    That would be good, but the POTUS is known for insisting on having the last word.

    As it is, only policy wonks and Obama’s fans are going to listen to his speech. Even his wife puts in the earphone.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, but then Obie would be 45 minutes late starting and the speech will be pushing an hour long.

  • Mortimer Snerd

    “First of all, one can respect the office without respecting the person holding the office.”
    —————————-
    Uh…….yeah.  That’s what I said. 

  • https://plus.google.com/114041580398058374552/posts McGehee

    Why should Congress give the presidency any more respect than Obama gives it — which is none?

  • Anonymous

    The house doesn’t come back till Wednesday, the day Obi wanted to speak. They don’t get there at five in the morning. As a point of procedure they’d have to vote on having him speak to a joint session. The White House requested this time in the hope of creating a favorable contrast to which ever person on that stage at the Reagan Library will be replacing him in 2013. They were too arrogant and too eager to show up the Republican candidates to actually wonder if it was even possible to ready the house and it’s members to receive the president, altho it would have been amusing to see that dingbat in her red cowboy hat on the House floor because she hadn’t had time to change.

    As for respect, while it’s been a long time since this was the reality the “Peoples House” is the institution that is supposed to receive “due respect” as it is meant to be the more powerful. There will be alot of rebuilding required for the “Office of the President” to command the esteem if not the respect it once commanded. This started with Bill Clinton who pissed on the office, continued with the simian left flinging sh!t on it after Algorrila lost to Bush and people who were supposed to be responsible leaders indulged in assassination fantasies. And now look what passes for leader of the free world. Respect is not something that can be commanded. With any luck when and if integrity returns to the White House, the individual taking the helm will be willing to exchange some of the power of the presidency for an increase in the true power of the office which is the genuine prestige and respect of the people.

  • Anonymous

    The house doesn’t come back till Wednesday, the day Obi wanted to speak. They don’t get there at five in the morning. As a point of procedure they’d have to vote on having him speak to a joint session. The White House requested this time in the hope of creating a favorable contrast to which ever person on that stage at the Reagan Library will be replacing him in 2013. They were too arrogant and too eager to show up the Republican candidates to actually wonder if it was even possible to ready the house and it’s members to receive the president, altho it would have been amusing to see that dingbat in her red cowboy hat on the House floor because she hadn’t had time to change.

    As for respect, while it’s been a long time since this was the reality the “Peoples House” is the institution that is supposed to receive “due respect” as it is meant to be the more powerful. There will be alot of rebuilding required for the “Office of the President” to command the esteem if not the respect it once commanded. This started with Bill Clinton who pissed on the office, continued with the simian left flinging sh!t on it after Algorrila lost to Bush and people who were supposed to be responsible leaders indulged in assassination fantasies. And now look what passes for leader of the free world. Respect is not something that can be commanded. With any luck when and if integrity returns to the White House, the individual taking the helm will be willing to exchange some of the power of the presidency for an increase in the true power of the office which is the genuine prestige and respect of the people.

  • http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com Charles

    Do you really think the President wanted to have his big speech on Wednesday and then let Perry and the Republicans tear into it in their debate immediately afterwards? Do you think he wanted to be the warmup act for the Republican debate?

    No, the President always wanted Thursday. Ask for Wednesday to get Thursday is the oldest negotiating trick in the book.

    And “separation of powers” on Wednesday versus Thursday? I think that fits right into the “they’re stupid” meme. And some damn fool journalist will no doubt squander debate time asking all the candidates about the Wednesday versus Thursday issue.

  • http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com Charles

    Do you really think the President wanted to have his big speech on Wednesday and then let Perry and the Republicans tear into it in their debate immediately afterwards? Do you think he wanted to be the warmup act for the Republican debate?

    No, the President always wanted Thursday. Ask for Wednesday to get Thursday is the oldest negotiating trick in the book.

    And “separation of powers” on Wednesday versus Thursday? I think that fits right into the “they’re stupid” meme. And some damn fool journalist will no doubt squander debate time asking all the candidates about the Wednesday versus Thursday issue.

  • CalMark

    Actually, it’s Obama 4, Boehner 1. 

    Boehner caved on the Continuing Resolution, the vote to continue funding Libya ops, and the Debt Ceiling–so far, Spineless John has given Obama everything. 

    Oh, and #4:  GOP “leadership” is telling House members to shut up and cave on the Continuing Resolution this fall.  (Boehner & Co. must be REALLY worried about losing invitations to some really cool cocktail parties.)

    This is nice, but ultimately meaningless.  Boehner is a spineless coward and politician in the worst sense of the word, who acts only when his personal prerogatives are threatened.  This is no different than taking “disloyal” House members to the woodshed for failing to support Cult of Boehner sellouts to Obama.

  • Mortimer Snerd

    Bingo.  I suppose showing “spine” on this relatively meaningless issue will give Boehner and friends cover for folding like a cheap umbrella on the ones that really count.

  • http://thepagantemple.blogspot.com/ ThePaganTemple

    That’s a good point, I guess depends on what time he was going to give the speech versus what time the debate is held.

  • http://thepagantemple.blogspot.com/ ThePaganTemple

    Uhhm, no.

  • http://thepagantemple.blogspot.com/ ThePaganTemple

    Since Obama wants the US to follow Europe’s lead, and the rest of the world, on any issue of importance under the sun, it only stands to reason all of us here in the US should have the same level of disrespect for the office of President the rest of the world now does-thanks principally to Obama.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MJGP4QXZ5PRW2MFA5E25CV2WNU rosalie

    “Respect is not something that can be commanded”.  He has to earn it, but he’s never earned anything on his own before so he doesn’t know how.

  • Anonymous

    Yes he wanted Wed.. He hoped to create the impression of the great leader diligently attempting to remain above the tawdry politicians trying to unseat him, as he sacrificed the love of his followers to the greed of private jet owners so he may procure a few jobs for the nation he loves.
    Brings tears to your eyes it does. 

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/EU5DQWQTTHTPO4A4ZYSL3AAV2U Adjoran

    Obama isn’t that clever.  Just looking and acting like Steve Erkel doesn’t give him the brains.

    He wanted to step on Perry’s debate debut.  It’s pretty transparent.

    NBC and Politico panelists will ask stupid questions anyway, whether it is the candidates’ religions or what kind of tree they would want to be – anything to keep the subject from the complete incompetence of the Obama Regime.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/EU5DQWQTTHTPO4A4ZYSL3AAV2U Adjoran

    Every President since George Washington has adhered to the protocol and arranged the Joint Session with Congress.  This is a Republic, not a dictatorship, no matter what Dear Leader thinks.

    He is subject to the same rules as every other President, no matter what his full-length mirror tells him.

  • DaveO

    The men who have been President of the United States grow into the Office of the President until they are indistinguishable from it.

    Obama’s grown into a sandtrap on the back 9. Maybe Michelle and her $10million tax-payer-paid shoppings sprees can swing by and rescue him.

  • http://thecampofthesaints.org Bob Belvedere

    Or the voices in his jug-eared head.

  • JeffS

    Obama got dissed, not the office.  That’s where you’re conflating the two.

  • JeffS

    Boehner was polite and professional in his written response to the office of the President, as is required, unlike Obama’s attempt to upstage a major Republican event. 

    The fact that Obama, the “man”, was dissed is the point that you missed.   Because you conflate Obama the “man” with the office of the President.

    (apologies if this is a dupe — Discus is eating comments again.)

  • JeffS

    Perhaps, although one can argue politics in Boehner’s favor. 

    I’m not apologizing for him, mind you.  But it’s hard to control the Legislative Branch when all one controls is the House, even when the President is a whiny little brat, and his flying monkeys on Capital Hill a herd of handless cows. 

    But, in this case, Boehner finally mans up.  I just hope he continues to do so.

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  • http://www.teamobama2012.com TO2012

    Orangina knew about the date prior to the White House  making it public and only until AFTER the Republican Teabaager Chairman Rushie  got on the airwaves  did a problem come about.  You are no journalist, far from it.

  • JeffS

    No, the President always wanted Thursday.

    Then Obama should have requested Thursday night in the first place.  And closed the deal…..before announcing the session. 

    That’s the oldest trick in the book…….for non-partisan politics.