Matt Yglesias: Timing of Obama's immigration announcement 'downright clever'

Tomorrow evening, President Obama will announce his executive actions regarding immigration, but some networks won’t be airing the president’s remarks:

CBS, NBC and Fox won’t take Obama’s prime-time immigration speech live tomorrow; ABC still deciding. http://t.co/sjR7cw6tlL

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) November 19, 2014

awkward + wow —-> @samrhall: CBS, Fox, NBC all decline to carry Obama's immigration speech live. ABC still deciding http://t.co/Vza9pX52oE

— SalenaZito (@SalenaZito) November 19, 2014

Important context here: sometimes the White House explicitly requests time from the broadcast networks — this time it did not.

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 19, 2014

The White House didn’t request the time from networks? According to Vox.com’s Matt Yglesias, perhaps the size of the audience isn’t as desirable as the demographic:

https://twitter.com/mattyglesias/status/535193793788919809

He’s still a fan of Obama’s genius!

@mattyglesias Well, I'd expect the celebrity president to know how to manipulate the media. Actually lead? Not so much. @instapundit

— Melissa Mackenzie ? (@MelissaTweets) November 19, 2014

@mattyglesias I thought this was for human rights and equality not politics.. @instapundit

— Dr. Decline Julio's Option (@NocAHomaratheon) November 19, 2014

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As for the networks that won’t be carrying Obama’s remarks, can’t the White House do a little arm twisting?

He should order them to. MT @peterbakernyt: CBS, NBC, Fox won’t take Obama’s prime-time immigration speech live; ABC still deciding.

— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) November 19, 2014

Executive action to force them next? MT @calmesnyt: Changed times. CBS, NBC & Fox won’t air Obama’s prime-time immigration speech tomorrow.

— Brad Dayspring (@BDayspring) November 19, 2014

Or perhaps that isn’t the highest of priorities:

@brianstelter weird

— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) November 19, 2014

https://twitter.com/MABlumenfeld/status/535164103455936512

There’s a reason Obama didn’t make the move before the midterm elections.