How stupid does he think we are?

The Prez, Obama. 

He announces he is going to make a speech outlining his plan to create jobs.

Then he schedules this promised-to-be-riveting-save-the-nation speech for the same day and time as the Republican debate.

Predictably, the Republicans pitch a hissy fit.

Giving Obama the perfect opportunity to stand forth and pontificate about how "the American people are fed up with this kind of partisan politics."

Isn't is partisan to schedule his speech to conflict with a major Republican event?

It makes the American people have to choose between the Prez's big speech, the windy debate or some reality TV debacle, where, admittedly, the degradation and mud-slinging might pale in comparison to the other two options.

Still, I can spot manipulation like this, Mr. President. I am not fooled by your staging of this rebuke nor your slamming of the calculated and expected Republican response to your transparent button-pushing.

You sink to a new low, Mr. President. I am not disgusted by the Republican hissy fit. I am disgusted that you employ cheap, transparent manipulation followed by your psuedo-fatherly rebuke of the response you orchestrated. You think the American people are so dumb they missed it. Maybe some do, but a lot get it quite clearly.

You push buttons to stir up conflict and dissent, then lay it all before the media in order to garner sympathy and support.

Cheap trick. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap.

Grow up, dude. Be the man. Respect your colleagues enough to ensure you don't step on their toes if you want their respect, and the respect of those who occupy a stature somewhat above the lowest common denominator.

The president needs to appeal to the lowest common denominator, but he doesn't have to be the lowest common denominator.