More Republicans skipping Obama's speech to Congress

Rep. Paul Broun

/ AP

President Obama is set to make a prime-time televised address to Congress to lay out his vision for creating jobs Thursday night, but an increasing number of Republicans are not going to be there and party leaders have chosen not to give an official response.

Illinois Republican Rep. Joe Walsh last week said the speech, which is meant to provide a high-profile venue for Mr. Obama's vision for creating jobs, is simply a political speech and he does not want to be used as a prop for the president. He also said Mr. Obama was abusing his power by seeking to speak to Congress on a topic that is not a national emergency.

Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, who hosted a forum for GOP candidates in South Carolina over the weekend, said he does not think he will attend because he would prefer to read the speech text.

And Republican Rep. Paul Broun now plans to hold a Twitter town hall from his office at the same time as the speech, scheduled to start tomorrow night at 7:00 pm ET.

The Georgia lawmaker plans to use the time "so he can interact with his constituents," spokeswoman Meredith Griffanti told CBS News, adding that "jobs are at the forefront of everyone's mind" and it is a better use of his time to hear from constituents than sit in the House chamber.

Griffranti added that Dr. Broun is a multi-tasker--he does intend to watch the speech while his online conversation is taking place.

It's not the first time Broun has skipped a big speech in the House chamber. Broun was in his office for the State of the Union in January while providing a running commentary of the speech online.

In his remarks, Mr. Obama is expected to propose injecting more than $300 billion into the economy next year, through a combination of tax cuts, infrastructure spending and direct aid to state and local governments.

Obama is also expected to propose targeted measures to tweak the administration's program aimed at helping struggling homeowners but a blanket refinance program is not expected.

White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said Mr. Obama's proposals would not add to the long-term deficit because any short-term costs would be offset by future spending cuts.

"The president will propose new meaningful initiatives to create jobs and grow the economy and it will be fully paid for," Pfeiffer tweeted from his Twitter account, @pfeiffer44.

House Republicans do not plan to make a formal response to Obama's speech, as is typically done with major presidential addresses to Congress.

"We trust in the good judgment of the American people, and the president's proposals will rise or fall on their own merits," said Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner.

The lack of a response "is not only disrespectful to him, but to the American people," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said. "The Republican silence on Thursday evening will speak volumes about their lack of commitment to creating jobs."

[oregonspectator]

Careful there Jimbo.You are exposing your total lack of understanding as to the debt ceiling and the implications inherent in a willful default. It's painfully obvious that you don't have a clue.

You're a perfect candidate for Tea Bagger membership. You seem to possess all the necessary ingredients: woeful overall ignorance; a solid familiarity with Repub talking points whether accurate or not and able to blindly repeat them whether you know what they mean or not.

You're just the kind of person they're looking for. Happy trails!

[webbsight]

Respect for the office is what they should be motivated by. Republicans talk about patriotism when it is convenient. Where's their patriotism when the Commander and Chief requests a joint session of congress to address everyone on the need to act. The President is elected by a majority of American voters. Is there any office anywhere that commands more respect? The New Orleans Saints football party that one congressman is attending instead is just unacceptable. The narrative some are suggesting linking race to Obama's disrespect are correct, but how much we will never know because people lie about their views on race all the time. As a result, its not something he can afford to be concerned with and he clearly is not.Also,when so many are angry with our political discourse, Congress members getting threats and getting shot, and people suffering, isn't it time to talk about this. Worrying about politics is futile. No matter what you do a leader gets a bump when he or she shows leadership. Republicans have been fanatics about Obama getting credit for anything, even going to the extent of lying to achieve that goal when they didn't have to. If you have good ideas people will listen. Why all the spin and the lies/

[endrepubs]

I think respect for the President should always be honored. I sincerely hope when and if the Republicans ever take the White House again, the Democrats return the type of treatment Obama has received. The Republicans have behaved deplorably and are the most unpatriotic bunch of goons I have ever seen in the Nations history. Hopefully the voters will take notice of this in future elections.

[woozybarnes]

I respectfully disagree on one point, endrepubs. I hope the Dems never stoop to the level of the Repugs. Everything else in your post is spot on.

[DETracy]

Perhaps they should all reconsider their attendance because when the President finishes reading his new jobs bill to an emergency joint session of Congress and calls for a vote, there may not be enough attending Republicans to vote "No" and the bill will automatically pass both houses and The President can just sign it into law on his way out the door. Think about it!

[MurdochSucks]

True, maybe the Republicans should just never show up to vote. They only vote No, anyway, and none of them have proposed anything meaningful to help the country and the economy.

[woozybarnes]

Repugs showing their usual lack of class.

[Lindag10]

Not surprising that the Republicans are bailing out, they've been disrespectful to the President since day one.

[woozybarnes]

Well, Enriquie, the dems showed respect for the OFFICE of POTOS even when Cheney's puppet was in office. It ain't about the office holder it's about respect for American institutions. But of course that won't mean much to the trailer trash in the GOP.

[mindfulwhim]

Last night during the debate, all GOP candidates said the US was in "Crisis". That's not call for the presisent to give a speech to Congress? Which is it? Are we in crisis, or should we not listen to the President during a crisis? The lack of clarity and consistency in the GOP message (other than we don't like Obama) is transparent.

GOP plays on fears, not change.

[hhandyman]

regardless what party any Paid elected official should be docked a months pay for missing The President speech. why he is there to reperesent his consituents and if hes not there hes not earning his pay.

[Autumntrails]

One last thing to say, why is it that everyone in America seems to want there own 1 hour weekly reality series.

Substance does not matter, just be lame, Snookielike and don't think to hard, just act implusively, never pick up a book or have a conversion with anyone who opposes your view or worse makes you think.

Let's just all be superfical and live in denial.

What kind of jobs do people that support the current Retardpulicans hold? You can't be anyone with responsiblity, or you would know you don't let corporation or people for that matter run wildly free. It is chaos.

Why do I try...you Retards just don't get it, the big guy is in business for himself, not for you, the environment you love so much will be destroyed so some wealthy socialite can own and play with the best of everything.

Serve the richest of the rich if that is mentality. I just think you are all nuts.

[Autumntrails]

I hope the Republicans win the next election, then when you reach 65 you can proudly know you will work until you croak.

That the air that you breath, will give you cancer and all you can hope for is a quick death.

It will be great to see child labour laws revised so sick parents can get the need funds to pay for medical supplies.

Won't yeah all, be proud to see the American military engaged in war after war. To know your drunk neighbour lives on beer and food stamps because he once had legs but his military duty maimed him.

Won't it be fun, to see Mexican leave the country because they have a better lifestyle in Mexico. To see our children taking classes on learning how to live in a multi-family unit.

Oh poverty for the masses and blind gain for the wealthy - what a beautiful picture that is of the future.

Let the Rednecks rule and see how you beg for a Intelligent person, a Liberal, socialist person to be in the White House.

Give up ALL your health care, all your social welfare and just see what happens?