President Barack Obama sent a letter to both Speaker of the House John Boehner, Ohio Republican, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, requesting a Joint Session of Congress on September 7. However, many are wondering why the President is requesting this date, as it conflicts with the upcoming GOP presidential debate at the Reagan library in Simi Valley, California.
“I respectfully request the opportunity to address a joint session of Congress on Sept. 7, 2011 at 8 p.m.,” wrote the president in his letter to both lawmakers.
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Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh put in his two cent on the matter and suggested that Speaker John Boehner deny President Obama that particular date for a Joint Session of Congress:
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“What he oughta do is say ‘no’ and offer September 6th, September the 8th, September the 9th, September the 10th…whatever, but he doesn’t get September the 7th. He should do this. It’s very simple. He says to the president, ‘you did not consult me before you publicly issued the date. You were obviously trying to disrupt the plans at the Reagan Library. You’re going to have to learn that if you really want to work together as you repeatedly claim, Mr. President, I’m gonna show you how it’s done. Here are the dates that you can have.”
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Wednesday the requested date was “coincidental” and that NBC has permission to reschedule the debate if it so chooses.
Fox News Capitol Hill Producer Chad Pergram tweeted out, that “Boehner’s office only got the Obama request asking for a Joint Session of Congress, 15 minutes before the notice went out to the press.”
Speaker Boehner’s office did not respond to an inquiry as to whether or not he would agree to the date President Obama requested for the joint session.
Conservative activists are also pointing out this is the second time President Obama has gone out of his way to insult Nancy Reagan, by trying to sabotage the GOP presidential debate at her late husband’s presidential library. The first time was at his initial press conference when he made a reference to the former first lady’s astrologer.
