B.O.Obama has agreed to reschedule a Congressional speech on the economy, after objections from House Speaker John
It is not pronounced 'Boner!'Boehner
... the occasionally weepy leader of House Republicans...
President B.O. wanted to outline his much-anticipated jobs creation plan next Wednesday evening, but that clashed with a Republican debate.
Boehner requested Obama speak a day later instead, and the White House has agreed to his recommendation.
US unemployment - still over 9% - could dominate 2012's presidential elections.
The White House had earlier insisted the scheduling clash with a televised Republican 2012 debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in Caliphornia next Wednesday evening was "coincidental".
But several Republican leaders said the timing was a political move to steal the show.
Making the primetime speech on Thursday means it could now go head to head with a season-opening NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints.
The situation is certainly urgent. The US economy is barely growing - 14 million Americans are out of work and the housing market remains in a slump.
And yet the president seems to have fewer and fewer options to revive the flagging recovery.
The US government is in debt. The obvious plan of spending government money to generate demand and create jobs will not gain political support. That means a 1930s-style major works programme seems unlikely.
President B.O. has hinted at some new measures. He has discussed keeping in place a payroll tax cut for businesses, an infrastructure bank to support building projects and new trade agreements.
None of those ideas is likely to make a serious dent in the 9.1% unemployment rate, though. Unless Obama has something new and credible, the disappointment amongst Americans could be great.
The Republican-controlled House and the Senate, where Democrats hold sway, need to pass resolutions allowing the joint Congressional session for the president.
"It is my intention to lay out a series of bipartisan proposals that the Congress can take immediately to continue to rebuild the American economy," Mr Obama had said in his letter to Congressional leaders on Wednesday.
"Washington needs to put aside politics and start making decisions based on what is best for our country and not what is best for each of our parties in order to grow the economy and create jobs."
Democratic Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid... the charismatic senator-for-life from Nevada, currently majority leader ...
said President B.O. would be welcome "any day of the week".
But Boehner had replied recommending Obama's speech take place instead a day later.
He did not mention the Republican debate as a reason, citing instead votes scheduled for the House's first day back after recess and the need for a subsequent three-hour security sweep.
Boehner wrote to the president: "It is my recommendation that your address be held on the following evening, when we can ensure there will be no parliamentary or logistical impediments that might detract from your remarks."
'Politics all the time'
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus tweeted that the initial scheduling of the speech had proved "this WH is all politics all the time".
The House Speaker's office accused the White House of ignoring established protocol
Boehner's front man Brendan Buck accused the White House of ignoring established protocol and said no-one in the speaker's office had signed off on the date.
The reschedule was confirmed in a statement by White House press secretary Jay Carney on Wednesday evening.
"We consulted with the Speaker about that date before the letter was released, but he determined Thursday would work better," said Carney.
"The president is focused on the urgent need to create jobs and grow our economy, so he welcomes the opportunity to address a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday, September 8th."
Obama's speech is expected to contain specific proposals, including both tax incentives to increase hiring and government spending on public works projects.
The president has already said he would seek extensions on a payroll tax cut for workers, as well as benefits for the unemployed.