Happy #Eastwooding anniversary! Where was President Empty Chair during Kerry’s Syria speech?

Posted at 1:57 pm on August 30, 2013 by Jenn Taylor

One year ago, Clint Eastwood inspired the #Eastwooding trend at the Republican National Convention.

#OnThisDay 2012: Clint Eastwood and a chair at the Republican National Convention http://t.co/b0hjPmU8xc
— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) August 30, 2013

To mark the occasion, President … Kerry delivered prepared remarks on Syria.

For those of you asking, I have EXCLUSIVE footage of Obama during Kerry's speech. See? pic.twitter.com/uWMUFsAyh7
— RB (@RBPundit) August 30, 2013

Am I watching President John Kerry right now? Where the hell is @BarackObama?
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 30, 2013

Chair: Still empty.

Simple question: where is the President?
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) August 30, 2013

So. Much. Racism. RT @gabrielmalor: Simple question: where is the President?
— Drew McCoy (@DrewMTips) August 30, 2013

Seriously guys, Give President Kerry a break.. He inherited this mess from President Obama.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) August 30, 2013

Why is John Kerry delivering this speech and not the President?
— Tim Poole (@Tim_Poole_) August 30, 2013

https://twitter.com/JustAnotherMo/status/373497833749364736

Remember, Obama has only made public comments re: his redline war to PBS answering a question. Kerry et all have addressed the country.
— Rick (@StrokesofCandor) August 30, 2013

SoS Kerry takes the place of Obama for #Syria attack???Who is President again???Obama missing in action……#WeThePpl
— Yahtahei (@Yahtahei) August 30, 2013

Why is John Kerry giving the speeches President Obama should give?
— David Boze (@DavidBozeShow) August 30, 2013

Look, the president has priorities, OK?

Why is John Kerry making the case for war in Syria? Did Obama have to meet with Katy Perry or something?
— Ken Gardner (@kesgardner) August 30, 2013

The speech had a decidedly familiar ring, complete with a “let me be clear” tossed in.

I'd be interested to know if the person who wrote that speech works for WH comms. Did that start out Obama's speech?
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) August 30, 2013

So, what happened when Kerry addressed the American people?

https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/373494311951687680

Secretary Kerry would like you know that we know a lot of knowns that are known. Y’know?

Sec Kerry: "We know where the rockets were launched and when."
— Bill Hemmer (@BillHemmer) August 30, 2013

Kerry: "We know that the regime has used those (chemical) weapons multiple times this year."
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlakeWP) August 30, 2013

Kerry: We know some 1,400 Syrians were killed in this attack, including some 400 children.
— PolitiSite (@Politisite) August 30, 2013

White House posts full declassified report on use of chemical weapons in Syria: http://t.co/TxTF7Uwdyy
— David Clinch (@DavidClinchNews) August 30, 2013

But never mind what we “know.”

Kerry: "The primary question is no longer, 'what do we know?' It's, 'what are we, we in the world, going to do about it?'"
— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) August 30, 2013

Hold on. The president will kinda, sorta talk about this Syria stuff today. To “some extent.” And it will be during a photo op, natch.

Pres. Obama to offer remarks "to some extent" on Syria, at 230pm, in photo op at his meeting with Baltic leaders, says official.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 30, 2013

Sorry, lapdogs. No live broadcasting.

White House has declined TV networks request for live coverage of Pres. Obama's remarks on Syria at 230pm.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 30, 2013