BREAKING: Speaker Pelosi just asked to postpone the SOTU until after the shutdown. Dems don't want

[MelissaB]

BREAKING: @SpeakerPelosi just asked to postpone the SOTU until after the shutdown. Dems don’t want to give Trump a platform to blame them for a crisis they believe he caused.

Link to tweet

Citing furloughs at DHS and Secret Service, Pelosi asks Trump to delay this month’s State of the Union until AFTER the government is reopened, per @FoxReports @arogDC

Link to tweet

Pelosi to Trump: We can take your SOTU in writing if you won’t reopen the government.

Link to tweet

[malaise]

1. Perfect

iTTMF!

[Zoonart]

9. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH....

Loving Nancy!

[malaise]

31. This is why we were celebrating the House victory

It is the Speaker who invites the MoFo.

[DENVERPOPS]

111. How about this

How about a big screen being lowered behind Trump as he begins to speak.
Then, a projector begins to show the scene from RED OCTOBER when their crew starts to sing the Russian National Anthem.
They could play it so loud that it downs out whatever Trump tries to say.......

Maybe that idea could be used as an SNL skit???????????? I think the SNL writers/actors could come up with some super humorous skit the likes of that we haven't seen in years since Tina Fey/Palin skits..........

[olegramps]

62. I think they should consider walking out in mass protest or better yet shout him down.

They could start a chant of "Jail him."

[malaise]

70. He has already been disinvited

That is perfect

[olegramps]

86. I am just asking, but can he call for a joint session of congress?

[malaise]

93. Here are all the joint sessions in history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_joint_sessions_of_the_United_States_Congress

Not likely - he already knows the answer. Open the fugging government first

[olegramps]

122. Thanks. It seem rather rare except for State of the Union Messages. Mostly foreign dignitaries.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

96. He *could*

I think Congress has to consent? But, *what* would be the point? Why would anybody- but the Republicans- want to sit there and have him attack them over HIS shutdown?

[onetexan]

72. Awesome idea!!!

[Pepsidog]

92. Perfect is right. Perfect in content and tone. Benedict Donald must be really pissed. Loved it !

[DENVERPOPS]

110. How about this

How about a big screen being lowered behind Trump as he begins to speak.
Then, a projector begins to show the scene from RED OCTOBER when their crew starts to sing the Russian National Anthem.
They could play it so loud that it downs out whatever Trump tries to say.......

Maybe that idea could be used as an SNL skit???????????? I think the SNL writers/actors could come up with some super humorous skit the likes of that we haven't seen in years since Tina Fey/Palin skits..........

[MelissaB]

2. Pelosi to Trump: We can take your SOTU in writing if you won't reopen the government.

Pelosi to Trump: We can take your SOTU in writing if you won’t reopen the government.

Link to tweet

[bluedigger]

16. Maybe Crayola could sponsor it!

[Perseus]

41. Good one...

[volstork]

47. Oh, snap!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

105. Or he could just draw a picture for his SOTU.

[2naSalit]

3. It's not like we need to give MoFOTUS more airtime...nt

[dalton99a]

11. Precisely.

Just an excellent move

[Iliyah]

4. And ya know shithole will be going forward . . .

Kinda sounds like a trap for him tho. Americans, well most should know he will LIE, blame, Lie, BLAME, lie.

[DUgosh]

5. It's her call

Speaker invites whomever is president to address nation, she can uninvite

[ooky]

79. Exactly. If she doesn't want it, he can't just bust in.

And she won't give him a forum to peddle his wall and his lies.

I love it each time she gets to tell him to fuck off.

[David__77]

6. She doesn't have to host it, right?

I suppose he could give a speech anywhere.

[dalton99a]

8. It's really a courtesy. He could submit a written report

[Volaris]

55. Theoretically, yes...but this is Trump were talking about.

As the above poster stated, 'maybe crayola could sponsor it'

[dalton99a]

7. Awesome.

[Ferrets are Cool]

10. Brilliant

[C_U_L8R]

12. No need to ask. Just cancel it.

Hits him right in the tender ego. Oh the history books will not be kind to this pretendident.

[dalton99a]

15. +1.

[Merlot]

65. She's not asking, she's cancelling

It's SOTH call. Just imagine whoever gets to explain that to trumpft.

[Duppers]

109. +1000

[Xipe Totec]

13. Tell him to tweet it. nt

[honest.abe]

45. HA!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

60. That should keep him of occupied for awhile.

[Buckeyeblue]

14. Appropriate given the circumstances

Besides, I'm not sure Mother would give Micheal approval to sit next to another woman. People would surely talk...

[madaboutharry]

17. Who has the power to postpone it?

If it goes forward, the democrats should boycott it.

[zipplewrath]

35. Congress

Pelosi runs the House. The senate is too small, although McConnell could just invite the senate and selected guests. And of course Trump could give the speach anywhere he can (a Trump ballroom if nothing else) and invite various people to attend.

It would take away much of the pomp and circumstance however.

[MyOwnPeace]

50. He could do it

under the arches at McDonald's while he's there for his next fix.......

[mcar]

18. Genius!

[canfeild123]

19. Can't he

Just hold the State of the Union in his office?
Why does it have to be infront of congress?

[thucythucy]

26. The Constitution defines it as a report to Congress

though technically he could address Congress from the Oval Office.

SotUs all used to be submitted in writing. I forget which president it was first broke with that tradition.

Edited to add: it was Woodrow Wilson.

[Doitnow]

126. Not really the same----he wouldn't have the audience where he could rant and rave

or enjoy all the pomp and circumstance with all the notables in attendance, all which he craves, which would be a sorely needed and well deserved slap in his face.

[onenote]

20. McConnell will simply invite him to deliver it just to the Senate.

[malaise]

33. And Dems will boycott it for said security reasons

Go Nancy!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

76. Then it wouldn't satisfy the constitutional requirement that he make a report to *Congress.*

Not that Tiny gives a rat's ass about the Constitution.

[onenote]

87. He can satisfy that by sending a written copy to McConnell and Pelosi

And still give the speech to the Senate or on TV from the White House or even at a "rally"

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

89. That's true. He can give a speech any time and anywhere he wants, but it wouldn't be

the big SOTU speech on prime time in front of the entire Congress, which I'm sure he's just itching to do because he loves that kind of ceremonial event where he's the center of attention.

[onenote]

94. True. But if he does it in front of the Senate he will say he's sticking it to Pelosi

and he'll have an audience that fawns all over him. And it will be televised.

Frankly, not having 280 or so Democrats in the room sitting on their hands probably is just fine with him.

[orangecrush]

139. He's not sticking anything to anyone.

The jig is up.

Mueller is coming.

[onenote]

140. I said what he would say, not what is.

[ancianita]

88. A written state of the union report was what was customarily done before Wilson's presidency.

So yes, it would satisfy the constitutional requirement.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

90. Yes, that's my point. He doesn't have to give a speech; he can submit a written report.

Not that he'd write it himself, of course. But you know he wants, indeed craves, the big deal SOTU speech in front of the whole Congress because being the center of attention is the most important thing in his whole sad, sorry life.

[ancianita]

95. Yes. And the known ugliness of his treachery shouldn't be born by America. Pelosi respects that.

[MrGrieves]

21. Dems should give the response from the house floor.

Even if he does submit written form.

[unblock]

22. ... or deliver it in writing!!!! brilliant!

[RAB910]

23. The Democrats should boycott in solidarity with the nearly million unpaid government workers

The Dems should stand by the workers in opposition to Trump's shutdown

[Paladin]

44. That's EXACTLY what should happen.

Rather than giving trump the attention he so desperately craves by listening to his bullshit speech, Democratic lawmakers should be outside the Capitol, rallying with thousands of put-upon federal workers. Let McConnell and his asshole Republicans deal with that.

[onetexan]

74. second that

[47of74]

80. I third that motion

And I will not watch that fuck stick biovating away.

[Duppers]

112. Great, except they need to refute all his lies on camera. nt

[bdamomma]

118. That sounds rather good.

showing the repigs that the Democrats stand with them (Gov. Workers). Nice.

[Turbineguy]

24. She runs circles around trump.

[TJKatd]

25. The SOTU should be sent in writing anyway every year...

Always a tedious speech to watch despite who gives it. Maybe this could get presidents to go back to written submissions.

[ginnyinWI]

58. Besides being full of lies from one end to the other.

What can you say is the "state" of a union that is shut down and it disarray?

[Johnny2X2X]

27. Bravo!

This, more than anything, will bring Trump back to the table. He just loves being the center of attention and can't handle not having his speech.

It's 100% her call right?

[Tucker08087]

37. I had no idea!

Which means he DEFINITELY wasn’t aware that she had this power! I love it!

[klook]

28. The nation can't pay for the hamberders

that were going to be served at the SOTU buffet. #TaxCutsHaveConsequences

[Moostache]

85. Well, I am sure we can get Burger King to donate to a protest...

Let Trump speak from the Senate or Oval Office or East Room and host a protest with Democrats and furloughed Government employees having "Hamberders" and "Covfefe" on the steps of the Congress.

[Miles Archer]

29. As many have said, this ain't her first rodeo

Trump is so completely outmatched by Speaker Pelosi that it's hilarious and tragic all at the same time.

[agingdem]

30. so uninvited him

tell the orange menace he's not welcome in our chamber...

[Duppers]

113. +100

[EffieBlack]

32. Maybe he can deliver it from the Oval Office and ask the networks to carry it live

Let's see how that works out for him.

[hughee99]

48. Do you thinks the networks wouldn't carry it live? Nt

[EffieBlack]

56. Not sure. But I think it wouldn't be a given.

[hughee99]

66. Fox would definitely carry it, and people would watch it.

I don’t think the news networks will give the ratings up to fox. ABC, NBC and CBS might not run it on their major network, but they’ll make sure it runs elsewhere. Does anyone watch those for news anymore?

[EffieBlack]

71. That's true. But he wouldn't have an audience hooting, hollering, and cheering him

And we seeing how poorly he comes across when delivering a prepared speech to a camera with no audience.

[hughee99]

73. He could do it from some Trump ballroom and fill it with supporters.

Then he’d have even more people cheering.

[EffieBlack]

81. Yes. But then it would no longer be an Oval Office address, but a campaign rally

And the networks would definitely be unlikely to cover.

[hughee99]

99. If he delivers the state of the union address, they'll cover it.

Even if it’s in a campaign rally environment.

[onenote]

124. McConnell can invite him to deliver it to the Senate.

The networks would cover.

[EffieBlack]

125. Maybe, maybe not

But if they do, they'll cover it as what it is - a bigger farce than his oval office address.

[onenote]

127. I cannot imagine them not covering it.

And I don't see them labelling it as a farce.

[EffieBlack]

128. They labeled his last address as a farce - and that was before they got played by him

If they were to cover this, they would surely consistently remind everyone that this is a partisan exercise in which the Majority Leader threw a bone to the president because he didnt have the sense or dignity to merit a real SOTU presentation to a joint session.

Not to mention the Senate chamber is much smaller and far less impressive than the House chamber. This would NOT have any of the bells and whistles of a real SOTU. It would clearly be a joke - nothing but a Potemkin Village and I have no doubt they press would frame it as such.

[onenote]

130. Except Pelosi isn't cancelling his giving the SOTU before a joint session,

She's suggesting a postponement until the government is back to work because of "security concerns". That's a far cry from lacking the "sense or dignity to merit a real SOTU presentation".

While I applaud Pelosi's move as theater, it does not come without risk. Because she relied on "security concerns" as the basis for suggesting a postponement, all Trump has to do -- and my bet is that they're working on it at the very moment -- is to have DHS and the head of the Secret Service state that they do not have security concerns about the speech being given as originally planned.

[EffieBlack]

131. I'm sure Pelosi got her ducks in a row before she made this move

I doubt she'll let herself get caught flat-footed by the Secret Service or Homeland Security. She's always several steps ahead of everyone else ...

[onenote]

132. We'll see.

I doubt she has any control over what DHS will say. Nielsen will say whatever Steven Miller tells her to say. And if pressed as to whether they can protect the President and other attendees at the SCOTUS, I have a feeling the reflexive answer of the Secret Service, shutdown or no shutdown, will be yes they can.

[EffieBlack]

134. She's probably not dependent on anything they say moving forward

I suspect she got all of the information she needed pinned down before they knew what she planned to do with it ...

As I said, she's way ahead of everyone else - Madam Speaker never just wings it.

[onenote]

135. And like I said, we'll see.

The Capitol Hill police force has over 2000 officers. They are not impacted by the shutdown (the Legislative Branch appropriations bill was passed earlier in 2018). The DC police force has almost 4000 officers, and they're not impacted by the shutdown either. Both the DC police and the Capitol Hill police routinely play a role in providing security for major events, like the SOTU. Indeed, the Secret Service is the smallest component of that security detail for the SOTU.

[hughee99]

145. DHS and secret service say they can handle it.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2019/01/16/secret-service-dhs-say-they-can-handle-state-of-the-union-security/amp/

Some “less than reputable” sources claim Pelosi never talked to them, but I don’t know if that’s accurate. If it turns out security is not a concern, I wonder who gave Pelosi this bad information.

[thucythucy]

34. The SOTU traditionally was always delivered in writing.

Woodrow Wilson was the first president to turn it into a delivered speech.

[LTG]

143. Washington gave the first SOTU speech

to Congress on January 08, 1790.

[thucythucy]

146. Did he go to Congress to deliver it

or did he send it in writing?

[LTG]

147. Yes he went to Congress

The State of the Union was given in the Senate Chamber in Federal Hall in New York, the temporary seat of government at that time. He gave 8 State of the Union Addresses to joint sessions of Congress.

Adams continued the custom created by Washington for his 4 State of the Union Addresses. He also presented them in person before joint sessions of Congress.

Jefferson felt it smacked too much of monarchy, the annual King’s speech from the throne, so simply sent his in writing. From then until Wilson it was sent to Congress in writing.

In writing from 1801 until 1912. In form of a speech from 1790 - 1800 and again from 1913 until whatever form it takes this year, with a few exceptions.

Several modern Presidents have sent the SOTU in writing, primarily in their last year in office. Truman, Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter all made this decision. Eisenhower also sent it in writing while recovering from a heart attack in 1956. Richard Nixon sent a written message in 1973. FDR sent a written message while in ill health in 1944.

Some presidents have chosen to not give a SOTU during their first year in office. Reagan - 1981, George H.W. Bush - 1989, Clinton - 1993, George W. Bush - 2001, Barack Obama - 2009 and Trump - 2017.

The Address has been postponed at least once. President Reagan postponed the SOTU in 1986 due to the Challenger accident.

It would appear that the SOTU is fairly evenly split between written and in person.

[thucythucy]

148. Thanks for the info

[Dave in VA]

36. This is how we do it!

Thank the powers of the universe that we have Speaker Pelosi on our side!

[KCDebbie]

38. So, wait? Can there only be a SOTU address if the

Speaker of the House introduces him? And by refusing to introduce him and admit him to the House, Speaker Pelosi can put the ki-bosh on the Orange menace's plans to spew lies to the American public in prime time?

Go Speaker, GO!

[obamanut2012]

46. The SOTH has to invite the President to give a SOTU

[KCDebbie]

83. ...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

100. Shouldn't that be, the SOTH has to invite POTUS to give a SOTU?

Sounds like Klingon.

[bdamomma]

39. Hit him back hard

If he does give a SOTU, he will continuously smear the Democrats this shutdown belongs to Trump.

Sorry for posting this here: But read this article.


https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/12/1825623/-Trump-has-sat-on-billions-of-dollars-meant-for-extreme-storm-mitigation-in-PR-USVI-LA-TX-and-FL?detail=emailLL

Trump has sat on billions of dollars meant for extreme storm mitigation in PR, USVI, LA, TX, and FL.

He's so vile and so are the rest of minions.

Can you imagine if someone shouted "LIAR" to him like they did to President Obama (that was disgusting), but we Democrats would never do it huh?

[dalton99a]

43. +1.

[Wednesdays]

116. But calling tRump a liar would just be stating the obvious. nt

[superpatriotman]

40. Put it in writing, motherfucker

Nt

[George II]

42. According to the United States Constitution, "He shall from time to time give to the Congress....

...Information of the State of the Union"

Nothing says that he has to give a speech, just a report of the State of the Union.

[DesertRat]

49. He hates being told NO, especially by a woman

This is brilliant.

[Ligyron]

51. But it looks like she already invited him.

Can she now uninvited him? If she can, then she should or all Dems should boycott, err...not show up due to "safety concerns". Wonder how that would play with the voters?

[mcar]

59. She basically did just uninvite him

[beachbum bob]

52. Pelosi request will be ignored, little tgat democrats can do about it or

How trump will place all blame on them.

Only recourse is dynamic rebuttal...by noteworthy personality. Not necessarily a democratic politician.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

82. It isn't a request so it can't be ignored. The Speaker of the House issues the invitation.

If she's uninvited him, canceled the event and he shows up anyhow, there won't be anybody there. The Constitution requires only a "report" to Congress, not a speech, and every president until Woodrow Wilson did it in writing.

[In It to Win It]

53. What a boss move!

Love having power.

[Midnightwalk]

54. Cancel it but I do have a fantasy

Trump shows up and is handed a subpoena. It isn't a state of the union but testimony in front of the intelligence committee on collusion. I know that wouldn't ever happen.

[GreenPartyVoter]

78. Lovely idea!

[pangaia]

57. Maybe trump's secret service detail could be furloughed..

[pdsimdars]

61. Can't help loving everything Nancy and the Dems are doing now. Go, go, go!

[ehrnst]

63. DAYUM. Nancy is on fire! (nt)

[calimary]

64. I'd send HIM the bill for all those golf carts he makes the Secret Service pay for

at Mar-a-Lago. Because that, too, is an expense we taxpayers are stuck having to cover. I’d MUCH rather have MY tax dollars go toward paying these folks who are forced to keep going to work without getting paid!

To me, this smacks of indentured servitude - or outright slavery.

[RockRaven]

67. That last one "We'll take it in writing" hits him where it hurts the most --

a permanent loss of public moment. Postponing it, but still holding out the possibility that it happens eventually, may not have as big of an effect as outright cancellation.

A part of me hoped Pelosi et al would just request SOTU in writing anyway to deprive him of the public spectacle and attention he craves but does not deserve. But tying it to the shutdown is great.

[Guilded Lilly]

68. Heh! Deny him the airtime! Schooling the Cretin again...

we all know he can’t write, or basically read, but take away his “Star time” and he will throw a massive tantrum.
Deny him the attention, Madame Speaker!

[NoMoreRepugs]

69. The Democratic response that will follow tRumpys SOTU,

which he will definitely not postpone, is going to have to be brilliant. IMO, IT needs to say in plain language using government statistics that there is no border threat, illegal immigration is at near term historical lows and that the majority of illegals in the country overstay their visas and the majority of drugs coming into the country aren't walked in or carried over the border. Who is selected to give the response will be absolutely critical. Gavin Newsome maybe?

[onetexan]

77. The person delivering the Dems rebuttal should be surrounded by people who've been impacted by the

shutdown. Have some of these federal workers speak of the pain and suffering inflicted upon them and their families so all of America who are not yet woke to their plight and the devastating impact of the shutdown, wake up to denounce this horrible man and his corrupt administration.

[Duppers]

114. YES!!

[angrychair]

75. She didn't "ask"

She told him it was delayed. He needs her permission to show up, she doesn’t need to ask him anything.

[gopiscrap]

84. This is perfect

watch that orange asshole try to bully his way into the House of Representatives somehow!

[ancianita]

91. We're glad for Pelosi's move because of its effect on 45. But she does it for the very highest of

reasons. Mother Jones headlines it as a "power move."

It's not a "power move."

Pelosi's is a solid, judicious move.

Last year's State of the Union was surrounded by good security from DHS and Secret Security.

This year it's just not there. We cannot have all three branches of our government in one place under current security conditions.

Pelosi knows how to preserve government, the good, the bad and the ugly.

To request that the State of the Union be made in writing is good judgment. Period.

Speaker Pelosi should be lauded for the graciousness of her solid, judicious move. Hers is high level leadership.

[LuvNewcastle]

144. I agree. She's making a responsible decision.

This President is a traitor, and we don't know yet what Putin's next move will be. The SOTU speech would be the perfect time for him to strike, especially if security isn't up to par. It could be a terrible disaster, and the Speaker must take all of this into consideration before allowing the speech to take place.

[sandensea]

97. Good.

If wanted to see an ugly, overfed monkey throw feces at everyone, I'd go to the zoo.

[SWBTATTReg]

98. I think we all know what the state of the union is...nothing further needs to be added in that ...

a thoroughly corrupt president is in office, who is being investigated on multiple fronts. What else is there to say?

[AndJusticeForSome]

117. Yes. She needn't not invite, just condition it

She can play his game too, and hold the SOTU hostage just as he is holding the govt hostage.

[orangecrush]

141. ...

[at140]

102. Makes perfect sense!

Good call Nancy!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

103. Would tweeting the SOTU count as a report to Congress?

[dalton99a]

123. Probably

[RobertDevereaux]

104. Or give it in the format of an interview helmed by Robert Mueller.

[KansasKali]

106. I think she had this in mind all along.

She plans further ahead than Trump.

[honest.abe]

107. Has the Criminal-in-Chief responded yet?

Usually he tweets instantly if there is something he doesnt like. I think he doesnt know how to respond to this one.

[Duppers]

108. They *believe* he caused??!!

How about we *KNOW* he caused.

Choose words that reflect facts, please MS. Bade.

Good on our Speaker Pelosi !!

[TryLogic]

115. Sounds GOOD!

[bdamomma]

119. They should invite

all those Government workers who got furloughed and waiting to go back to their jobs, and yell out "surprise" we want our paychecks now.

[LiberalFighter]

120. SOTU use to be just a letter sent to the House in the past.

[LiberalFighter]

121. If McConnell tries to have the SOTU in the Senate chamber...

I hope all Democrats find themselves busy and don't show up. Without notice. That would make it more difficult to fill up any of the empty spaces with no notice.

[keithbvadu2]

129. Good reverse psychology aimed at Trump... It shows democrats practicing leadership.

Good reverse psychology aimed at Trump... It shows democrats practicing leadership.

Trump now has to be reactive rather than proactive.

[appal_jack]

133. Brilliant and proper, all-around.

Pelosi's decision is prudent from a security point, proper from the point of refraining from asking DHS or other Federal workers from working even more without pay, and politically brilliant.

Plus, it reasserts the role of Congress as a co-equal branch of government. The SOTU focuses on the President, but it's a report TO Congress, and Drumpfh has screwed the pooch. He should read the Constitution for once, and learn that Congress also has the power of the purse in our Republic.

k&r,

-app

[Scruffy1]

136. Great idea.

The one think the WH idiot is good at is using the media to flood out the opposition. To him, there is no such thing as bad press because his core won't believe it anyhow. He can't survive without the fawning press hanging on to his every uttereance. Twitter don't cut it because a lot of his audience is old like me and doesn't use it. Nancy is smart enough to figure it out. If only the American press would do the same. If he couldn't grab the daily headline he would fade away.

[Mr.Bill]

137. If he submits it in writing

she should redact all the lies then release it to the press.

[NastyRiffraff]

138. He'll probably demand air time

for the speech Steve Miller wrote for him. He looks forward to something like this to show off for the cameras. No media outlet should give it to him.

[pansypoo53219]

142. no prime time lies for bozo.