Several Republicans to boycott POTUS jobs speech ~ have decided they’re not even willing to listen.

[Emit]

Several Republicans to boycott POTUS jobs speech

...congressional Republicans have been demanding more from the White House on the economy. But now that President Obama is poised to deliver a speech to a joint session, some of those same GOP lawmakers have decided they’re not even willing to listen.

Rep. Paul Broun, who made headlines when he skipped the State of the Union address in January but tweeted about it, is planning a repeat performance Thursday.

(...) Broun and several other Members won’t be part of the audience sitting in the House chamber, whether for political or personal reasons. (…)

Rep. Joe Walsh announced last week that he would host a small-business jobs forum in his Illinois district instead of attending the speech. (...)

~snip~

(...) Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) told ABC yesterday he’s “so frustrated” that he’ll probably stay away from the event, too.

In case this isn’t obvious, there is an expectation on all members to attend joint-session speeches. It’s not just out of recognition of the issue at hand (...) but it’s also a way of acknowledging respect for the presidency itself. Given the Republican campaign to delegitimize President Obama, I suppose the boycotts shouldn’t come as too big a surprise.

But the larger point for the public remains straightforward: the White House continues to try to work in good faith on the issues that matter most, only to find some Republicans in Congress who literally aren’t willing to hear the president out.

Postscript: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) may also not attend, but not for political reasons — his mother has fallen ill after suffering a series of recent strokes.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/several_republicans_to_boycott032031.php

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I kind of wish none of them would show up.

That would prove once and for all what a bunch of disrespectful assholes they really are.

[Bandit]

7. Prove to who?

Is there anyone on the face of the earth that does not already know that?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. I think there are a lot of people who pay little attention to these things

and need to be hit on the head with the Obvious Stick.

[Eddie Haskell]

16. Obama should have given the speech as he scheduled it.

If the SOB's show up, take em out.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Ok, all these folks should stay home

Show people just how out of touch they are...half the chamber should be EMPTY.

[truebrit71]

3. Joe Walsh will be in his IL district...I hope law enforcement are there to jail his dead-beat ass...

...fucking joke that he is...

[msongs]

4. too bad obama will not mention the absence and the back due money nt

[gateley]

6. Not the place and Obama isn't the person to do it. The media has let this

slide and it infuriates me.

If non-political wonks actually tune in, it's probably because they are really hopeful for some good news. They don't care that some pompous Congressman is an asshole. They just want a job.

[murielm99]

11. People should call the cops in his district.

Bug the hell out of them, telling them to go pick up the fool and put him in the slammer.

I wonder how hard it would be to get into his "forum?" Maybe some people could go there and ask him questions, such as:

Why aren't you at the speech?

When are you going to pay your child support?

Why isn't your ass in jail?

[RockaFowler]

5. Now Rubio's mother is ill

I guess it was OK to trip Nancy Reagan, but no can't listen to the President. What a fraud . . .

[arbusto_baboso]

9. Stay KKKlassy, Republicans!

Once more, they show they don't actually believe in democracy.

[Kurmudgeon]

10. In a regular company, they'd be fired for not doing their jobs and insubordination.

[RC]

12. Boycott POTUS jobs speech? Sounds rather immature to me.

But then we already know the Republicans are a few bricks shy of being grown ups.

[TwilightGardener]

13. What's Senator Demento "frustrated" about? Someone still gives a damn about jobs and the economy?

[krabigirl]

14. I won't be listening either. actually i stopped listening several speeches ago.

he gives great speeches, but does nothing.

[leftyohiolib]

15. well then it's a good thing the potus changed the date of the speech