White House to "Lost" Fans: Don't Worry about State of the Union

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Obama

(CBS)

The White House on Friday assured fans of the television show "Lost" that President Obama's State of the Union address would not disrupt the show's highly-anticipated three-hour premiere.

"I don't foresee a scenario in which the millions of people who hope to see a conclusion to 'Lost' are pre-empted by the president," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said at his daily briefing.

"You can quote an administration official on that," he added cheekily.

The date on which Mr. Obama will deliver the annual address is not yet set in stone. Gibbs would only say that it would take place "soon."

The State of the Union is typically delivered in late January, and networks anticipated this year's speech would fall on Jan. 26. The date, however, appears to be in flux, and news that the president may deliver the speech on Feb. 2, the date of the "Lost" season premiere, set off a flurry of Internet protests.

There was speculation that the president wanted to ensure that congressional Democrats would finish their health care bill before he delivered his speech, but Gibbs said Mr. Obama was "not necessarily" waiting for that.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by scootervanneuter January 27, 2010 4:17 PM EST: Here's an inside scoop on what Obama is supposedly going to say tonight (don't know how accurate it is, but should be good)

http://peacemoonbeam.typepad.com/scooters_report/2010/01/obama-sotu-aimed-at-white-middle-class.html; Reply to this comment


by HGOODGUY January 10, 2010 9:33 PM EST: Has anyone figured out that the President of the United States is not part of the TV ratings game---much as you shallow people would love it to be!!!!; Reply to this comment

by Mach1Pony January 9, 2010 6:39 AM EST

Americans (some) are the stupidist bread of human civilization... why would obabma want millions of people to have to choose between this or that, when then there's absolutely no reason to have conflicting schedules. To make a big deal out of this, instead of solving your problems.... while the world passes you by.

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by dawnrunner January 20, 2010 8:35 AM EST: Before you criticize Americans, how about you proofread your comment. Americans are not a BREAD of human civilization, nor is our president's name spelled Obabma.


by davison-5 January 21, 2010 12:08 AM EST: Pony we have probably saved you from every major war the world has ever known in recent history. You're welcom for the democracy that you now enjoy. Please let us continue our path, in maintaining our republic, though, we may not always agree on the little things, we always unite when under fire. Your comments are shameful, arrogant, and lack humility. For one day, when your nation is suffers from disaster, heaven forbid. Who do you really want on your side? Which country do you know will be there, without a doubt? Which people will come to your side, and wipe away your peoples tear? The nation that you now mock, because of your own jealousy. I wish nothing but the best for your nation and your people. May you never have to be as hated as us, for trying to be a light, in a world so dark.


by bjbda January 9, 2010 1:00 AM EST: Can anyone refer me to a news site that isn't a copy of Faux News? All of the major news sites have become a joke shoving agendas down our throats. Oh my bad....Obama doesn't want to interfere with the Lost premier? What in the hell is wrong with this country? We all need help in a bad way. News outlets pay for their news like the Enquirer, Premiers are more important than the President, everyone's complaining about the left, right, middle, top, bottom...It's not Obama's Administration destroying this country. IT'S US!; Reply to this comment


by taryder January 8, 2010 11:11 PM EST: Considering the STATE OF OUR UNION!!!, it is hard to BELIEVE a president of the United States would be making sure his STATE OF THE UNION address didn't interfere with a STUPID T.V. SHOW!!! I guess that is WHY!!! we had 8 years of GWB and now whatever with Obama and our country has quite frankly, GONE TO HEL IN A HANDBAG! It is amazing how DUMBED DOWN the people of this country have become in a very short time.; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 January 8, 2010 9:59 PM EST: LOL. Well at least the folks were only complaining about not being able to see their show unlike that goofball mayor that suggested Obama's speech during the Peanuts Christmas show scheduled date was a Muslim(Obama) attack on Christianity. But it says a lot about a person, especially a president that would take into consideration peoples feeling and expectations. I imagine that everyone will be watching the premier of Lost as they anticipate.; Reply to this comment


by Justice4us January 8, 2010 7:59 PM EST: Couldn't have been too important.; Reply to this comment


by kaylag04 January 8, 2010 7:30 PM EST: Item: "Obama's State of the Union address would not disrupt the show's highly-anticipated three-hour premiere."

That is the fastest response national to a crisis in the last year.; Reply to this comment


by sunday42 January 8, 2010 7:26 PM EST: Fantastic!!; Reply to this comment

by ladyang January 8, 2010 7:17 PM EST

Mr President, I love and support you!
And I hope a television show will not stop you from addressing the country.
With that said - a 3 hour premier - Holy Moly!!!
I can't wait!

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