Even as Obama Prepares Offensive, He Retreats

Michael Scherer, TimeBarack Obama had three weeks to plan his first move of the fall political season. When he announced it, that move appeared to be an aggressive one. And then it blew up in his face.Midday on Wednesday, his aides announced that the president intended to give a joint address to Congress about the economy at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, the same day and time that his Republican rivals planned to meet in California for a nationally televised debate. This sent three messages: First, he saw an advantage of being compared to the Republican presidential field, even at this early date. Second, he was...

Jamie Lynn Sigler Janet Jackson January Jones