I listened to the “pre-game” talk before President Barack Obama’s speech Thursday to the nation about jobs and the economy. What struck me was the fact that some Republican congressmen purposely sat out the speech in protest — what a bunch of pompous lawmakers.

Also what is striking is that every talking head had already stated there will be no way Republicans will agree to anything Obama asks. It is pitifully clear they couldn’t care less what happens to the people of this country, jobs or the economy. They want the economy to stay stalled and unemployment high just until after the election in which they think a new Republican president will get the credit for saving us all.

For three years they have said no to everything, including things they were for until Obama came out in favor of them. They expressed no other goal except to defeat Obama in the next election.

I hope the president comes through with ideas and action to get things done and get the country and the economy back on track, but I have an underlying doubt that anything can sway the minds of a group that still believes this president is “not one of us.”