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highplainsdem

(49,125 posts)
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:03 PM Jan 2019

White House officials caught off guard by Pelosi's letter canceling State of the Union address

Source: CNN

White House officials were caught off guard Wednesday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi formally disinviting President Donald Trump from giving his State of the Union address from the House chamber, leaving them scrambling for a response.

White House officials had believed Pelosi wanted only to postpone Trump's State of the Union for political reasons after she sent a letter to him last week asking him to delay the address until after the partial government shutdown ended. The plan from administration officials was to call her bluff by pressing forward with plans to deliver the speech, including a new letter on Wednesday that they hoped would force her hand.

Now they're left exploring alternative venues. White House officials say they are hesitant to hold a campaign-style rally because they realize it's not formal enough to look like the traditional speech. Officials also recognize that it's harder to keep Trump on message during a rally, where he often feeds off the crowd, versus a more formal address.

-snip-

The Oval Office is a tough sell for the President, since he disliked the last address he made from there and the polls showed it changed zero minds. They like the East Room/Cross Hall and the Diplomatic Room. The East Room would be easier for hosting Republicans as an audience.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/23/politics/white-house-state-of-the-union-off-guard/index.html



I'd ask "How stupid are they?"...but they're working for Trump.
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White House officials caught off guard by Pelosi's letter canceling State of the Union address (Original Post) highplainsdem Jan 2019 OP
Figures - no plan after trying something new ArizonaLib Jan 2019 #1
A serious question, how many ppl work for him who have significant political experience? irisblue Jan 2019 #2
All the tv networks still have the SOTU on their listings C_U_L8R Jan 2019 #3
OR, we could just do the response, for twice as long! flibbitygiblets Jan 2019 #14
Trump caught off guard is standard procedure, right? oldsoftie Jan 2019 #4
Just remembering President Obama's speech when the idiot shrieked "you lie!" Judi Lynn Jan 2019 #5
That would be one Joe Wilson (R-SC) Haggis for Breakfast Jan 2019 #19
"Republicans as an audience" left-of-center2012 Jan 2019 #6
Well, even if they offer, Democrats should not attend.... machoneman Jan 2019 #8
and I don't mean to even say this......but....this is how someone from the "outside" a kennedy Jan 2019 #7
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night Recursion Jan 2019 #9
They are totally out of their league! bitterross Jan 2019 #10
GOP, your president is broken. Dave Starsky Jan 2019 #11
They expected her to Acquiesce fascisthunter Jan 2019 #12
Trump can't call it a SOTU address if he's only procon Jan 2019 #13
So, EVERY person in the Trump White House is politically illiterate and constitutionally ignorant... RockRaven Jan 2019 #15
as Randi Rhodes said... Blue_playwright Jan 2019 #16
Remember McConnell stating his party was at war with democrats. Too bad! ffr Jan 2019 #17
Of all the nights to be a fly on the wall at the White House so far since IQ45 took office ... mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #18
Can your just imagine ?!? Haggis for Breakfast Jan 2019 #20

ArizonaLib

(1,242 posts)
1. Figures - no plan after trying something new
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:10 PM
Jan 2019

Isn't that why we can't figure out how to end these stupid wars?

Why vote for a stupid idiot to stop stupid wars? He can't even make the bully pulpit work - from the oval office you should be able to lead and change minds unless you are a crook (talking to you, Tricky Dicky, where ever you are).

irisblue

(33,061 posts)
2. A serious question, how many ppl work for him who have significant political experience?
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:12 PM
Jan 2019

First line advisors and counselors are 'the best people' but how many came over from the Bush eras, or large state executive assistants?

C_U_L8R

(45,042 posts)
3. All the tv networks still have the SOTU on their listings
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:14 PM
Jan 2019

They may need some alternate programming if the don't want to run a test pattern.

Judi Lynn

(160,684 posts)
5. Just remembering President Obama's speech when the idiot shrieked "you lie!"
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:19 PM
Jan 2019

In an honest situation, everyone there should shriek "you lie" at Trump.

I have hated that clown from the moment his silly voice howled out at a real President, from the depths of his racist's hatred.

Haggis for Breakfast

(6,831 posts)
19. That would be one Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 12:13 AM
Jan 2019

He's a real piece of work. He denounced Essie Mae Washington Williams for revealing that she was the daughter of Strom Thurmond. He also advocated that children as young as THREE years of age should be taught to use firearms.

machoneman

(4,016 posts)
8. Well, even if they offer, Democrats should not attend....
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:31 PM
Jan 2019

as he will merely spend 45 minutes lambasting us. Let this be the first, and maybe last, SOTU speech where only Republiscums attend!

Go Nancy!

a kennedy

(29,781 posts)
7. and I don't mean to even say this......but....this is how someone from the "outside"
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:25 PM
Jan 2019

get’s caught in the WEB OF POLITICS OF WASHINGTON.......oh yah, he’s an outsider, and is going to clean the swamp, and it has been said before, HE AND HIS CRONIES ARE THE SWAMP.

 

bitterross

(4,066 posts)
10. They are totally out of their league!
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:33 PM
Jan 2019

After two years of no accountability they have no idea what they're up against.

Loving it!

procon

(15,805 posts)
13. Trump can't call it a SOTU address if he's only
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:36 PM
Jan 2019

going to invite Republicans to attend. That's a pep rally, a mandatory Trump praise festival, but it has nothing to do with the country.

RockRaven

(15,097 posts)
15. So, EVERY person in the Trump White House is politically illiterate and constitutionally ignorant...
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:45 PM
Jan 2019

this is not new news, but I suppose we ought to remind ourselves of it explicitly from time to time.

No non-moron could have read Pelosi's letter and not understood that it was a steel middle finger in a velvet glove. It was the polite and political way of warning them that a SOTU lockout would happen if the federal employee lockout hadn't ended.

The fact that Trump's White House was caught "off guard" by her telling them slowly and explicitly, like talking to a small child, that she wasn't going to let Dump play with his favorite toy, after they tried to bluster and bully their way into a normal SOTU event is an admission of their absolute unqualified nature for the positions they are occupying.

Blue_playwright

(1,568 posts)
16. as Randi Rhodes said...
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 10:52 PM
Jan 2019

they are using the word "venue." It's telling. It's all a show for him, a presentation. A venue is what you hire for your wedding- not a SOTU speech.

If he had some class and wasn't a whining weenie, he would wait. But he's a whining ass so...

ffr

(22,681 posts)
17. Remember McConnell stating his party was at war with democrats. Too bad!
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 11:02 PM
Jan 2019

When we fight back, you can just eat it, Mitch! You POS TRAITOR!

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
18. Of all the nights to be a fly on the wall at the White House so far since IQ45 took office ...
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 11:26 PM
Jan 2019

I think tonight would be first on my list.

I bet he is just FUCKING FUMING, red-faced, throwing shit, cursing at everyone ... the meltdown that Mango Mussolini must be having would be so terrifically entertaining and fun to watch.

Haggis for Breakfast

(6,831 posts)
20. Can your just imagine ?!?
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 12:18 AM
Jan 2019

He must be shitting his 46" waist line pants.

Nobody will get any sleep tonight.

Too bad that WH permanent staff (Cooks, bakers, butlers, etc.) can't write tell-all books.

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