The Scheduling Kerfuffle: Let's Play Role Reversal

[markpkessinger]

Anyone who has read my posts here knows I've had plenty to say about President Obama's capitulation to the GOP. I've been as disgusted by it as anyone else. But I simply do not see the schedule issue as an example of that capitulation or weakness.

It was reported that Obama "laughed it off" when it was mentioned to him that the timing of the speech conflicted with a previously scheduled GOP debate. That suggests to me that he and his handlers knew full well what they were doing when they scheduled it in the first place. It amounted to a politically adolescent stunt, and the President got called out on it. And rightly so.

Imagine, for a moment, if we were back in, say, May of 2008, when the signs of the coming financial collapse were finally becoming impossible to ignore. Let's say there was a previously scheduled debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and suddenly George W. Bush suddenly decided to give a speech on the economy at the same time. Everybody on this board would be screaming bloody murder, and with very good reason. So there really is no justification for defending the President's attempted stunt in the first place, let alone for being upset with him for walking it back (which was the right thing to do).

[Blue_In_AK]

1. It pains me to admit it,

but I tend to agree with you. I guess it's the Libra in me, seeing all sides.

[lob1]

2. So now Obama is giving his speech during a football game.

It sounds to me like he outsmarted himself.

[scheming daemons]

3. No... the start of the game is being delayed

[Parker CA]

7. Link? What time will it begin at now? Thanks!

[Tx4obama]

18. The speech will not conflict with the game, it will be BEFORE the game.

Excerpt:

A White House official says "We won't conflict with football," meaning an early time frame for the speech.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/31/obama-jobs-speech-congress-joint-session_n_944322.html

[ChandlerJr]

10. Oh just great, now we have the The Heidi Bowl ll

You don't mess with the NFL, it's only Greenbay and Saints.

[moondust]

4. Maybe just political mischief in the first place.

Toying with them.

[Lasher]

5. Obama has earned a reputation as a president who caves in every time.

People were wondering, 'Will he at last stand his ground for once?' This doesn't help his reputation any in that respect.

[Parker CA]

6. I think being upset at the walk back is legitimate bc of the fact the WH should never have put

themselves into that position in the first place. No need to schedule the speech on the night of the debate. My frustration is over the fact that they entered into a mess they never needed to come close to.

[BeyondGeography]

13. Exactly right

[Ikonoklast]

8. Then why did Boner originally agree to that date?

And only reneged after Limbaugh threw a hysterical fit over it?

[ChandlerJr]

11. Is it really that hard to figure out?

'Yes Brer Wolf, throw me into the well, but please don't throw me into that briar patch!' cried Brer Rabbit.

Brer Wolf looked surprised. Brer Rabbit wanted to be thrown into the well?

'Well then, I will light a fire and roast you and eat you,' said Brer Wolf.

'Yes Brer Wolf. Light a fire and roast me and eat me, but please don't throw me into the briar patch!'

[treestar]

9. Interesting new perspective

I agree that DU would not have tolerated Bush doing a similar thing.

[frylock]

14. interesting new perspective?!

bwahahahaha!!!

[lonestarnot]

17. me too.

bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha. :rofl:

[treestar]

20. Meaningless response

[GeorgeGist]

12. In other words ...

why take Obama seriously in the first place?

[TwilightGardener]

15. I wouldn't expect any President to care about the nomination circus of

the opposing party, in terms of scheduling an address. He owes the GOP nothing.

[lonestarnot]

16. "politically adolescent stunt"

Nope. Showed pugs for what they are. Disinterested in jobs for Americans.

[WillowTree]

19. Not only that, but Nancy would have done exactly the same thing that Boehner did.