As a follow up to my prior post on Obama’s calculated request that he give a speech to a Joint Session of Congress the same evening as a Republican primary debate, and the first day Congress is back in session, John Boehner has not said Yes or No, but requested Obama schedule it for the following day:
Boehner said that since the House wouldn’t reconvene until 6:30 on Wednesday, and because it takes hours to complete the security sweep necessary for a presidential address, “it is my recommendation that your address be held on the following evening, when we can ensure there will be no parliamentary or logistical impediments that might detract from your remarks.””As such, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership and membership of both the House and Senate, I respectfully invite you to address a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday, September 8, 2011 in the House Chamber, at a time that works best for your schedule,” Boehner said.The Speaker’s letter made no mention of the more obvious conflict: between the president’s speech, and a Republican presidential debate scheduled on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. EST. That debate is the first of the post-Labor Day political season, and the first one in which Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is set to participate.
Update: Thanks to reader windbag, here’s the link to Boehner’s letter.
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