SOTU makes sense, as do speeches asking for declarations of war (or similar), but this is just a policy speech. he could just as easily write it up and send it to the hill for consideration (as demint suggested). he wants a show, which is fine, but he, carney, et al, should at least be honest they were trying to one-up the debate.
I think that just as the GOP debate begins he should call a televised press conference preempting it to advise America that he will be making a speech before a joint session of Congress on the following day. He should apologize for having the speech during the opening day of the NFL season, but that the GOP had disrespected the office of the presidency by declining his original request.
It subtly reinforces the idea that his name is not REALLY his name and that he is hiding something. Snicker snicker!
The President shouldn't choose to take a backseat to an NFL game either. When the choice is "I can have my speech during a GOP debate (scheduled well before his speech)" or "I can have my speech during an NFL game" it seems rather political to bypass the NFL game and have it during the same time as the rival political party debate.
So? Everyone knows when the speech will be now. Bet more people will wanting to see if the President has an answer to the night before.
I don't really care when Obama has the speech. I don't think its an issue having it during an NFL game either. That said he is the sitting President while the Republicans debating aren't even going to have an official vote who will be their standard bearing until 5 months from now. At this point what the President is saying is much more important than an NFL game or the the Republican debate.
if it's so important, why not give the speech sooner? it's about job creation, right? how about labor day then?
