# Possible Republican Refusal of SOTU Address? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 26, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685 "2014-11-26T16:37:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/1 "2014-11-26T16:37:48Z")
[Possible, but not probable…so far.](http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/will-the-gop-scrap-obamas-state-the-union-address) The fact that the idea has even come up though, that the President’s State Of The Union Address could be held hostage, simply disgusts me. Is there anyone here who would have no problem with telling the President, “Sorry, not liking where your policies are leading us. Why don’t you just mail that SOTU Address in and we’ll enter it into the record when we find the time.”? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/2 "2014-11-26T17:15:43Z")
Do you have a credible cite for the idea? That Rachel Maddow says it does not establish anything. TIA. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/3 "2014-11-26T17:22:26Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Do you have a credible cite for the idea? That Rachel Maddow says it does not establish anything. The story I linked to also had three links concerning the possibility-one from the New York Times, one from Politico, and one from Breitbart News. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/4 "2014-11-26T17:29:51Z")
Article II, Section 3 of the United States Constitution says: > [@](#): > > He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. It doesn’t say _how_ he shall give the information to Congress, and it doesn’t say _where_ he shall give the information to Congress. So he could hold the SOTU address anywhere, broadcast to the American People, and have a copy delivered to Congress. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/5 "2014-11-26T17:31:31Z")
Please, Republican leaders, don’t do this. This would be very damaging to the President. I really hope you don’t do this, and I’m very afraid you would. This could really hurt Obama. Don’t do this, Republicans. Please. I really mean this. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/6 "2014-11-26T17:32:50Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Please, Republican leaders, don’t do this. This would be very damaging to the President. I really hope you don’t do this, and I’m very afraid you would. This could really hurt Obama. Don’t do this, Republicans. Please. I really mean this. Really. Brer Rabbit and the briar patch? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/7 "2014-11-26T17:34:18Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Article II, Section 3 of the United States Constitution says: > > It doesn’t say _how_ he shall give the information to Congress, and it doesn’t say _where_ he shall give the information to Congress. So he could hold the SOTU address anywhere, broadcast to the American People, and have a copy delivered to Congress. Yes, I know he can. The question is, what would you think if the Republicans told him that as far as addressing Congress directly with the SOTU Address as usual, this year he can just go pound sand and mail it in? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/8 "2014-11-26T17:35:21Z")
Maybe he could give his speech as a guest on _The Ellen Degeneres Show._ I’d watch. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/9 "2014-11-26T17:40:47Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Yes, I know he can. The question is, what would you think if the Republicans told him that as far as addressing Congress directly with the SOTU Address as usual, this year he can just go pound sand and mail it in? Sorry. As my SO points out frequently, she can’t read my mind. What I meant is that refusing the SOTU Address is a useless gesture. The People will still see and hear it, and the President will have fulfilled is Constitutional obligation. The Republicans will be seen as the spoiled children they are, and it will only be damaging to the Party. Or, as I see has been said, ‘Only please, Brer FOX, please don’t throw me into the briar patch!’ 😃 So I think it would be great if the Republicans told the President to ‘pound sand and mail it in’. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/10 "2014-11-26T17:44:05Z")
Actually I was hoping for the mention of some GOP Congress leader who mentioned the idea. Got anything like that? Actually the point I am making is that this is not possible, is not going to happen, and is not real in any sense. Regards. Shodan ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/11 "2014-11-26T17:45:40Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Actually I was hoping for the mention of some GOP Congress leader who mentioned the idea. Got anything like that? > > Actually the point I am making is that this is not possible, is not going to happen, and is not real in any sense. > > Regards. > Shodan That’s a relief! 'Cause it would really suck for Obama if the Republicans did this. Really dodged a bullet here, Mr. President. Whew. In case any Republican leaders didn’t hear me, I said IT’S A REALLY GOOD THING FOR OBAMA THAT REPUBLICANS AREN’T GOING TO DO THIS, BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE REALLY, REALLY BAD FOR OBAMA. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/12 "2014-11-26T17:46:47Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Sorry. As my SO points out frequently, she can’t read my mind. What I meant is that refusing the SOTU Address is a useless gesture. The People will still see and hear it, and the President will have fulfilled is Constitutional obligation. > > The Republicans will be seen as the spoiled children they are, and it will only be damaging to the Party. Or, as I see has been said, ‘Only please, Brer FOX, please don’t throw me into the briar patch!’ 😃 > > So I think it would be great if the Republicans told the President to ‘pound sand and mail it in’. And I think you’re 100% correct, which brings up a good followup question: Does anyone think it’s possible for the right-wing rabble rousers to get them worked up enough to do something this stupid? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/13 "2014-11-26T17:49:38Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And I think you’re 100% correct, which brings up a good followup question: Does anyone think it’s possible for the right-wing rabble rousers to get them worked up enough to do something this stupid? Maybe challenge their manhood? “Senator Cruz, you don’t have the BALLS to deny Obama the SOTU!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/14 "2014-11-26T17:54:27Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Actually I was hoping for the mention of some GOP Congress leader who mentioned the idea. Got anything like that? > > Actually the point I am making is that this is not possible, is not going to happen, and is not real in any sense. I said it wasn’t probable in the very first sentence, and I’m sorry I provided the links you asked for and not the links you wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/15 "2014-11-26T17:58:57Z")
Give a nationwide TV address and make a point of addressing how the Republicans in Congress, who have talked so much about the need for bipartisanship and compromise, have unilaterally abrogated an 80-year-tradition and refused to let him address the nation from the Capitol in order to force him to do as they say. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/16 "2014-11-26T18:01:26Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And I think you’re 100% correct, which brings up a good followup question: Does anyone think it’s possible for the right-wing rabble rousers to get them worked up enough to do something this stupid? McConnell doesn’t have the chin for it. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/17 "2014-11-26T18:31:46Z")
Well, Obama’s got the lobes… ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/18 "2014-11-26T19:45:39Z")
Maybe the Republicans could let Obama go ahead with the address, but with one legislator or another yelling out something like “You lie!” whenever the President says something they disagree with. I bet that would go over well with the public. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/19 "2014-11-26T20:56:16Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Do you have a credible cite for the idea? That Rachel Maddow says it does not establish anything. > > TIA. > > Regards, > Shodan What are some occasions where Maddow has reported an event (not given an interpretation of an event–reported an event) where the report had not been substantiated by reliable sources? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685/20 "2014-11-26T20:57:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The story I linked to also had three links concerning the possibility-one from the New York Times, one from Politico, and one from Breitbart News. Yeah, here’s the part from Politico (the only link that actually says anything about Congresscritters thinking about this): > [@](#): > > GOP aides and lawmakers say they expect the leadership to consider additional legislation to address the executive order, but there have been no decisions made on what those bills would look like. There are lots of ideas: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has signaled he would hold up some of Obama’s executive branch nominees, others privately have been musing about shutting the government down, refusing to invite the president to give his State of the Union address or censuring the president. Many in congressional leadership think these ideas are nonsensical, since it will not serve any practical purpose. “Others have been musing” could mean almost anything. Anyway, sensational news story with no real substance. But they got your attention! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-republican-refusal-of-sotu-address/705685.md?page=2)