Will you be Watching President Obama or the Packers Thursday?
By louisehartmann
Speaker of the House John Boehner made history yesterday. After President Obama requested a joint session of Congress to announce his new jobs plan next week – on September 7th – Boehner REJECTED the request - and instead suggested Americans should choose between watching the President or the opening day of the football season. According to the Senate historian – never in the history of this nation had Congress ever rejected a presidential request for a joint session of Congress. Never. And, by the way, never in this history of our nation has a president ever had to produce his birth certificate, either.
Never in history has a president been called a liar by a sitting Supreme Court Justice during a State of the Union address, or been heckled as a liar by a southern Congressman. In the end – President Obama gave in to Speaker Boehner’s demands (once again) and agreed to September 8th. So ultimately – yesterday turned out like every other day. It started with the president wanting to talk about jobs – the Republicans sabotaging that effort – and then President Obama caving in. So, we’ll all get to watch the debut of “Governor Good Hair” Rick Perry in the Republican debate, instead of hearing the President share his jobs ideas with Congress. And the following night, the President goes up against the Packers and the Saints.
While I'm rooting for the President, I'm guessing most Americans will be watching the Packers. At least that's the Republican plan.
Comments
#2
I'll be watching Obama. But, it makes me wonders if the strategists working for Obama have a clue.
#3
Regarding climate research and the Republican religious beliefs:
To paraphrase Gold Hat:
"Science? We ain't got no science. We don't need no science! I don't have to show you any stinkin' science!"
#4
My Uncle Dan would buy an almanac every year, and compare the entries to see which were being revised, deleted, embellished. It was a good lesson for us from a high school dropout who was really a genius.
#5
We are now officially in a new stoneage. The Republicans stone wall and Obama has become a Cave-man.
#6
Why not do it on LABOR DAY
#7
We are all Africans.
#8
This is a great coup for Obama, and the Republicans gave it to him. The President can address any idiocies in the Republican debate and, because he'll be speaking right before a football game, many people will tune in that otherwise might not have, especially people in Wisconsin, Louisiana and Mississippi. (I'm presuming that Mississippians tend to be fans of the N.O. Saints, since the TN Titans are newer.)
#9
It's such a burden to the taxpayers to let people vote. Civilized countries hold elections over several days, and restrict campaigns to a few months or less.
#10
There's a crime wave in Florida - by the Rick "Skeletor" Scott administration.
#11
No matter what the Supreme Court says, the entire country is a "Free Speech Zone!"
#12
The Power of Now.
My guess is that the President read this book.
In nearly every political speech he says we are all one.
Maybe he has actually experienced this.
If so, you should not expect him to get angry at the Republicans.
After all......they know not what they do.
(The seed is not evil because it is not yet a tree)
#13
I hate football.
#14
At least if I watch football, the host isn't going to try to hit me up for another trillion dollars.
#15
I won't be doing either. Obama is either a closet republicon or the biggest coward this country has ever seen. He is my last straw with the democratic party. Why care anymore - they have given it all away. better to have my vote with a lost cause than these people.
I sure wish the bimbo from alaska had won. maybe at least a few of the fox crowd could have seen just what the cons have done to this country. Obama has just let (or begged) them blame him for all their mistakes.
It will be at least 16 years before a dem has the WH again - thanks Obama
#16
I will watch the packers. And I dont care who wins. I am so sick of caving into these crazy right wingers. I gave my money and my hope to someone who will fight. You cannot reason with people who put the nation at risk cuz their feelers were hurt when they lost in 2008. I think a fight will bring us back to the table or the TV. I have a living to make in the mean time.
#17
I gave up on Obama almost two years ago so I won't be watching his speech. Frankly, I can't stand the sight of him and no longer have even the slightest interest in what he has to say. I'm voting 3rd Party all the way this year, even if that means that a Republican is elected. My motto is "ABO 2012" - Anyone But Obama 2012. He's the most spineless, incompetent, prevaricating fraud I've ever set eyes on.
#18
I have no reason to believe that Obama is any more capable of standing on his own two feet and doing what has to be done, than he has ever been. In other words, I don't think he has the guts. By rights, Obama should be a radio talk show host, and Thom Hartmann should be president. Then we would actually get something done. And that would be nice.
#19
@extrascentsory- you realize that voting 3rd party will just GIVE the election to whatever gun-tottin, hangman the GOP can nominate- again! Remember, that's how Uncle Bill won (thanks Ross!). Can we count on Ralph retiring from politics this time around? We can't stand to lose the votes...
#20
The more this drags on the more we, the hopefully intelligent ones, see the sheer outright level of disrespect for this president. We are witnessing the most subtle of, what? I'd have to say down right bigotry. I've heard enough clap trap from people I know that are tea baggin and in every conversation there is the underlying tone of anomsity all over the fact that a black cat is living in the "whitys" house. I got in an arguement today in respects to Obamas accomplishments and how the only time he managed to get anything done was before the mid term. the persons arguement was that he has gotten nothing done. I had to enlighten the gentleman to the fact that since the mid term there has been nothing but hard core obstructionism. this gentleman insisted that the downgrade was Obama's fault? Again I had to inform him that the debt cieling was being held hostage by the very boobs that won the midterm. all he had to reply with was..."your an idiot". It is a scary place when the American people are so brainwashed and living behind rose colored glasses that they survive on right wing sound bites and have scarce little desire to actually go out and read? Oh maybe thats the problem, with the dumbing down of Americans maybe a lot of these people can't read!
#21
YES-- I'll either be watching our President, or listening on the radio... this is our one and only country. The office of the president is the highest in our land... let's put down our burdens and our pastimes for an hour and pay attention.
#22
Republicans are losers. They have no respect for the United States Constituition. They do not have the best interests of We the People. The Republicans only know how to embarass themselves. They campaigned on the issue of jobs in the 2010 elections yet what plans do they have for jobs? They only want to kick people who are down and out. These Republicans deserve to be taught a lesson at the ballot box in 2012 . . . vote them out of office and allow our President to lead the nation to prosperity. The Republicans only care about their corporate masters, they have abandoned the People.
Philip Henderson, Ethical Magician
#23
Obama seems to have won this round. By going before the game he can talk right up to the start and not give the Republicans any time for a rebuttal. So he can address any stupidity from the night before, have a huge lead in audience, and block them from responding to him.
#24
I think it's a little cynical to think 'most' Americans will be watching football instead of the president...I can tell you who will definitely be watching...unemployed Americans like me.
We liberals remind me of old married couples....they complain about their spouses lacks...instead of focusing on the positive. At least Obama is getting things done (slowly) .... this month no Americans died in Iraq....we took down Ghadafi (with help you say?...come on... we know better) and oh yes he got Osama (freaking) Bin Laden. The auto industry is still alive and kicking....and we want to focus on, he moved his speech? He seems to be slow but steady...I think he'll get them in the end....especially now that he has experience with dealing with them. Of course if he caves on that pipeline...I will be truly diappointed but since Bernie isn't running he the only choice we have...let's cut him some slack.
#25
I'll probably watch Obama, although I'm completely disgusted with him. He just will not fight the republicans and expose them for what they are.
#26
I like that idea.
#27
Mr. Hartmann, you are not being intellectually honest with your blog, so I will help to clarify the reality of the situation for your readers, who's responses I welcome.
The Republican primary debate was already scheduled for that time slot (not just the same day, but the exact hour), and someone from the WH made the mistake of trying to schedule the president's speach for that time without the WH getting prior approval on the time from the speaker (which is how this is done). This was at best, a silly oversight on the part of the WH. Additionally, the Speaker did not REJECT the president's poorly planned joint session (as you inaccurately conclude); rather, he suggested the President chose a different time. To both the credit of the Speaker AND the President, they made a change. The Speaker in no way is forcing the President to give his speach on how he is going to finally address the jobs issue during the opening NFL game, nor could he. Whether the WH made a silly mistake, or had childish political games that they wanted to play, either way the Speaker, and ultimately the WH made the right decision (though I personally would advise the President to give his speach on Friday).
As for the birth certificate issue, I, along with the Speaker, along with the VAST majority of conservatives and Americans reject the idiotic birther issue. This is not something that was pushed by main stream conservatives, thank God, because it was a waste of time.
As for the rest of your comments, never before in history has a president directly and innapropriately attacked the Supreme Court during a State of The Union address, which resulted in the comment 'Not-True', which is different from calling the President a liar. I agree with you on what you refer to as being heckled as a liar by a Congressman (not sure what Southern has to do with this), even if he felt the President was lying, because that was disrespectful (and ultimately an apology was given).
You saying that Republicans are sabatoging the President's efforts to discuss jobs is completely dishonest, and someone of your influence should be able to make a more intelligent and factual comment. I can't help that you hate Mr. Perry for his good hair, and for the fact that he has a real chance at defeating Obama, but you need to understand that many Americans want to watch both the President's speach AND the Republican debate. Though the Left prefers to create an information loop and ignore and dismiss any decenting thought, there are still many (Libs and Conservs) who want to hear both. I would like to hear what the President is going to call the 'Stimulus 2', and I also want to watch and decide who I'm going to vote for to replace the last mistake of a vote that I made in '08.
#28
Mr. Hartmann, if you are implying that any of these points have anything to do with racism (on your show, you mention first that this is the first black president), then you are either morally bankrupt, naive, or you are so lost for convincing ideas that you feel the need to baselessly demonize your competition (which, I gues would meet the morally bankrupt status as well). I sincerely hope that you don't confuse enough people that conservatism has anything to do with stealing from the poor to give to the rich. This is at best, intellectually dishonest. You need to tighten up your content and use logic to present convincing ideas. I hoped for better when I read that you were the #1 Lib host.
#29
Listening to your show. What a dissapointment. I always want to know what all sides are thinking, and with you being the #1 Liberal talk show, I hoped that you would actually bring content for me to learn from. Your shameless implication that the Speaker had racial motives for having the President move his speach to another night, is pathetic. You just lost all credibility. Does anyone know where I can get intellectual Liberal debate that is not filled with this sad rhetoric? Or is this truely where the majority of the Left is right now? How underwhelming.
#30
Well Paid for point of view!
#31
I will not watch either.. I might peek at the Season opener.. But if it was a Chiefs game there wouldn't be a question. Obama has sizzled out with most of his supporter. Personally I'm ready for a break in the political forum for awhile. Football will be a nice distraction.
#32
Well, I hate football, so I know I won't be watching the game. I plan to listen to or watch the President, wherever I am at the time. I haven't completely lost hope in him or the country yet, and I still like listening to him.
#33
I'll be glued to my radio like it's 1933.
Speaking of history repeating itself....."The man who wrongly assumes every human right is secondary to his profit, those who oppose all reform will do well to remember that RUIN IS INEVITABLE if our national life brings nothing better than swollen fortunes for the few.
There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains. To put an end to it will be neither a short nor an easy task, but it can be done.
We must have complete and effective publicity of corporate affairs, so that the people may know beyond peradventure whether the corporations obey the law and whether their management entitles them to the confidence of the public. It is necessary that laws should be passed to prohibit the use of corporate funds directly or indirectly for political purposes; it is still more necessary that such laws should be thoroughly enforced. Corporate expenditures for political purposes, and especially such expenditures by public-service corporations, have supplied one of the principal sources of corruption in our political affairs."
Spoken like a true Dutchman! ....1910 New Nationalism Speech-Theodore Roosevelt
#34
The very idea of a Speaker of the House refusing to have the President speak at a joint session of Congress is abhorrent and utterly disrespectful. This is "The" first time in the history of the United States of America that this has ever occurred. This is beyond reprehensible, it is an act which calls into question the true motivation of the whole of the Repuglithug Party.
As for the President's speech on one of the most important subjects of the day, I will certainly be watching it but since I do not have cable television I will be watching this speech on C-Span. org. At no time have we ever needed a more important speech than this. For the American people this is of paramount importance and one subject which should be watched very closely by every American, those with and without jobs.
The future of our country depends on the actions taken right now. We are at a crossroads in our economic life, America cannot long stand to have a corporatocracy in place of true governance of, by and for the people. Instead at this time, and for the foreseeable future we have government of, by and for the corporations. Please take the time to watch and listen closely to the manner in which the President speaks on that day. His plans are of such import as to determine the course of our country for the next 16 years.
#35
If the presidents staff had there act together this would not have happened. My guess is someone on the staff thought they would be cute and try to disrupt the debate by asking for the same exact time. Deep thought at the WH and the posibility that the debates would far out draw the speech made them think twice. The speech does not, nor did it ever, need to be in front of congress. He can give it any time of his choosing. Why wait when you can save the world?
#36
I have lost all faith in President Obama. My observation is that he says one thing in his speeches and then abandons those positions without putting up any resistance. He doesn't seem to believe in or be willing to fight for anything at all. While everyone was complaining about the outcome of the budget battle, I heard Boehner say on Meet the Press that he was happy with the budget deal because he had gotten "98%" of everything he and the Republican party wanted. When I voted for Mr. Obama in 2008, I honestly thought that we would get more than the 2% the Republicans don't care about. Early in his Presidency, I saw a clip of the President during a meeting with members of Congressduring which he said: "I really mean it this time, you guys (direct quote)." As far as I can tell Mr. Obama doesn't believe his own rhetoric and appears to be the weakest and most ineffective President in my lifetime. I voted as a Democrat for 40 years, but this President and the Democrats in Congress no longer represent my interests.
#37
I'm sorry to see you use the word "bimbo" in reference to Sarah Palin. She was given an opportunity by Senator McCain and she has grabbed her big chance and run with it. I don't like her politics, but I can admire how she grabbed her big opportunity by the horns and has not let go. She has had more influence on American politics from the outside than Mr. Obama has as President.
#38
I think you are right. The President is the one who has disappeared and allowed the Republicans a free hand. Mr. Obama is the architect of his own political demise. It's a shame, but Mr. Obama just doesn't stand for anything at all. I think he expects to be a one term President and is content with political failure rather than fight the good fight he had promised. Frankly, I don't believe anything he says, and I don't think he does either. I have just stopped listening to him. It's all rhetoric and nothing more.
#39
Hey Thom, I finally took the time to watch Loose Change 9/11 and was very impressed with their presentation. It just seems bizarre that the producers of this film got access to so much covert information. The most amazing part to me was how the U.S. military had the training exercises planned at the very same time that they planned the attack which basically neutralized all standard defensive responses.
It's hard to fathom how they thought they could get away with it. I firmly believe that this film produces an irrefutable abundance of "coincidences" that eliminates any reasonable doubt that U.S. conspirators organized the whole thing. What these conspirators did not foresee is that ten years from 2001 the establishment would have lost control of the flow of information to such a degree as they can no longer hide the truth the way they used to do. The new culture of transparency and accountability, mostly due to the rapid development of social networking, has very much leveled the playing field. Suddenly the politicians are very accessible people and not so much "above the law". They are rapidly falling back to earth and so too are their delusions of grandeur. Their is no hiding anymore. Not in this day and age. Well there's some hiding but they can't get away with their conspiracies the way they used to. They no longer dictate the flow of information to the degree necessary to protect themselves. The rising tide of transparency is heading for Bush's and Cheney's door in due course of time and they will face their justice one way or another, someday. Hopefully we'll see them go into prisons in this lifetime. But if not this lifetime, 100% chance it will be the next.
Anyhow, that's my take on it. And these clowns that are harrassing the Pres., that same tide will be humbling them soon enough. It is just a matter of time. Keep up the good work Thom. You are making a difference. You are raising that tide.
#40
I'll be sure to watch the President's speech. However, I wish, having been blown off by Boehner, Obama would not have caved into the Speaker's wishes and instead have announced he would bypass Congress and instead would deliver the address from the Oval Office. Please, Mr. President!
#41
I'll see this from another angle. The President is established second in the constitution to the congress. That the congress, under any circumstance or leadership (currently ne'er so vile), would stand up to the rise of the Emperial Presidency--Presidents habitually solidify their predecessor's gains and also seek to expand Presidential power--gives me a tiny bit of hope. That Obama is continually, legitimately pushed around by congress is a product of the constitution. That he allows himself to be bullied and fails the progressive cause is Obama's failure, alone. Longterm threats to democracy are Autocratic Presidents, Plutocrats and the military. We're facing the rise of all three--I'm referring to many things here but specifically Presidential power as expressed by Nixon and Bush and not denied by Obama: 'it's legal if the President does it...'
You can find the long version of this argument at postangrypost.blogspot.com
Chris Dudley
#42
The only hope (that I see) for Progressives is if Bernie Sanders will please primary President Obama. Bernie is one of the very few who actually care about America, his goals are the same as the Majority of Americans and he has the balls (sorry) to use a "bully-pulpit" and take his message right to the people and let them decide.
Most Americans want universal health care, an end to the wars, social security and medicaid left alone and a new path for America. A path separate from the Fascism of corporations. Imagine how we could change America by electing Bernie Sanders.
#43
Logic??First? lol. Where was your logic? Can you label it for me? I have taken courses in Logic and yours does not pass the "smell test." Maybe you meant "Conservative common sense? That would be a misnomer.
Short and sweet....,We have a corporatist government, which is Fascism. All we are currently left with is the "lesser of two evils." The republicans have shown Americans( through words and actions..,ie. no taxes for wealthy) that they are strictly for the wealthy, screw the rest.
The Democrats still claim to be for the average American, but their actions have not been much better than the R's.
The only chance that average Americans have is people like Bernie Sanders. He shows us by his actions that he is for the majority of Americans.
BTW, that is Logic. That can be mathematically proven, which is what logic is all about.
Stick it.
#44
I will be watching President Obama. It's finally good to hear an articulate and intelligent man address our country. I remember well cringing with embarrassment whenever the "naked emperor" took to the airwaves.
#45
Everyone should watch Obama's speech, because when Fox re-broadcasts it you will hear something entirely different as usual. I don't understand people watching the Fox Fantasy Channel as they make up or give false information and what's worst, people actually believe that Stuff as if it were the gospel and never fact check anything. Oh yes, you can't fact check anything with the Heritage Foundation, they are the ones who made it up to begin with and had Fox broadcast it....Just sayin
#46
Well,another example of how the conservatives, despite having a Democrat as President and Democratic control over half the Senate, still actually run the country. I look back three years ago at how I also fell into the trap of thinking they would give up the reigns. How dumb we all were. They really took control of the U.S. thirty years ago and aren't about to give up. When I heard about the rescheduling of the Presidents speech I thought to myself, "Gee, when did John Boehner become president?"
#47
I, too, will be watching Obama but totally agree about his advisors. It would appear that they must be living under a rock not to see what is needed to foil the efforts of this Republican majority in shutting out Obama. I HOPE that he will throw all of the things that are sorely needed for job creation into this upcoming speech and then just let the Repubs shoot them down. Finally stand up and have the B_ _ _ S to just put it out there and show the people just what the stumbling block is - and it is NOT Obama.
#48
In celebration of Obama's speech, I'll have double stuff Oreos and milk. Then I'll keep listening to "The Norman Goldman Show" for truth and justice. In the meantime, I'll keep witnessing the final days of the American Empire until a fractionalized second civil war emerges. Then let's all sit back and as the cannibal gangs eyeball Mitch McConnell's fat quivering throat and think of the various recipes they've read the How to Barbeque a Congressional Capo cookbook.
#49
Gene, you are so right. Jeb started it; Crist continued it and now Scott is doing his level best to destroy our state. As a native Floridian I resent all of these people and what they have done to my state
#50
Wow #33, another football hater. Pleased to meet you. However I seemed to have replied acccidentally to #34.
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The point that the wingnuts miss about WikiLeaks and other people who publicise the criminal acts in Iraq is that the Iraqi's already know what happened.
I'm really down because people think that it's important to keep information hidden; hidden from people who are responsible for choosing and monitoring our own government.