BET Wire: Obama's State of Play

Obama hits the road to promote his SOTU address.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - President Obama takes a road trip to promote his State of the Union address; Bibi Netanyahu is coming to Washington, but not to see the president; the House passes a tough anti-abortion bill; the GOP isn't warming to a Romney bid — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: BET)

Getting to Yes - In his first speech after his State of the Union address, Obama challenged Republicans to come up with some specific proposals of their own if they don't like his. "It can't just be now," he told an audience at Boise State University on Jan. 21. "I'm happy to start a conversation. Tell me how to do the things we need to do. Tell me how to get to yes. You can't just say no." (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Getting to Yes - In his first speech after his State of the Union address, Obama challenged Republicans to come up with some specific proposals of their own if they don't like his. "It can't just be now," he told an audience at Boise State University on Jan. 21. "I'm happy to start a conversation. Tell me how to do the things we need to do. Tell me how to get to yes. You can't just say no." (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Below the Belt? - The day after Obama threatened in his State of the Union address to veto legislation containing new sanctions on Iran, House Speaker John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress. One Israeli-American relations expert told TPM that the move was an effort to "humiliate" and "embarrass" Obama as he and the prime minister duke it out on Iran. "It's hitting below the belt," another expert said.  (Photo: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

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Below the Belt? - The day after Obama threatened in his State of the Union address to veto legislation containing new sanctions on Iran, House Speaker John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress. One Israeli-American relations expert told TPM that the move was an effort to "humiliate" and "embarrass" Obama as he and the prime minister duke it out on Iran. "It's hitting below the belt," another expert said.  (Photo: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

Daddy Daycare - During a trip to Kansas, the president called for an $80 billion expansion of a federal program that provides child care subsidies to low- and middle-income families with children age 3 and younger. The plan would make the aid available to more than one million additional children over the next decade. “These aren’t just nice-to-have’s, this is a must-have,” he said in remarks at the University of Kansas on Jan. 22. “It is time that we stop treating child care as a side issue or a quote-unquote "women’s issue." This is a family issue, this is a national economic priority for all of us.” (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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Daddy Daycare - During a trip to Kansas, the president called for an $80 billion expansion of a federal program that provides child care subsidies to low- and middle-income families with children age 3 and younger. The plan would make the aid available to more than one million additional children over the next decade. “These aren’t just nice-to-have’s, this is a must-have,” he said in remarks at the University of Kansas on Jan. 22. “It is time that we stop treating child care as a side issue or a quote-unquote "women’s issue." This is a family issue, this is a national economic priority for all of us.” (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Turnabout or Unfair Play? - Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, who has been under fire for remarks delivered before a white supremacist group in 2002 and voting against a state holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr., issued a statement honoring the slain civil rights leader. "Dr. King challenged our country to fulfill the promises of liberty, equality and justice prescribed in the founding of our great nation. Leading by example, he stressed the teachings of tolerance, service and love, regardless of race, color, or creed. Today, his writings and speeches continue to empower and inspire those who seek liberty, equality and justice." (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Turnabout or Unfair Play? - Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, who has been under fire for remarks delivered before a white supremacist group in 2002 and voting against a state holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr., issued a statement honoring the slain civil rights leader. "Dr. King challenged our country to fulfill the promises of liberty, equality and justice prescribed in the founding of our great nation. Leading by example, he stressed the teachings of tolerance, service and love, regardless of race, color, or creed. Today, his writings and speeches continue to empower and inspire those who seek liberty, equality and justice." (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Selfie Time! - The president met with three YouTube stars, 19-year-old Bethany Mota, 52-year-old GloZell Green and 34-year-old Hank Green, on Jan. 22 to discuss his State of the Union address. After they'd covered the serious issues, the fun began. “One more question for you: Can you take a selfie with me?" Mota asked. Yes, he can. (Photo: The White House via YouTube)

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Selfie Time! - The president met with three YouTube stars, 19-year-old Bethany Mota, 52-year-old GloZell Green and 34-year-old Hank Green, on Jan. 22 to discuss his State of the Union address. After they'd covered the serious issues, the fun began. “One more question for you: Can you take a selfie with me?" Mota asked. Yes, he can. (Photo: The White House via YouTube)

No Surrender - Democratic Reps. Keith Ellison (Minnesota) and Mark Pocan (Wisconsin) plan to introduce a constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to vote to every American and give Congress the power to protect that right. The Republican-led House will likely not be very receptive, but Ellison has high hopes. "We know one thing: Every single amendment that's been passed after the Bill of Rights has been passed because Americans just wouldn't stop pushing for more rights for people," he said. "We're gonna be optimistic and believe that people are going to do the right thing and we're gonna give them every opportunity to do so." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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No Surrender - Democratic Reps. Keith Ellison (Minnesota) and Mark Pocan (Wisconsin) plan to introduce a constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to vote to every American and give Congress the power to protect that right. The Republican-led House will likely not be very receptive, but Ellison has high hopes. "We know one thing: Every single amendment that's been passed after the Bill of Rights has been passed because Americans just wouldn't stop pushing for more rights for people," he said. "We're gonna be optimistic and believe that people are going to do the right thing and we're gonna give them every opportunity to do so." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Roe v. Wade v. the GOP - Thousands of people descended upon the nation's capital on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade to protest abortion laws, while lawmakers inside the capitol debated and passed a bill permanently prohibiting the use of federal funding for abortion. The day before, leaders were forced to pull a more restrictive bill that banned abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.  (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Roe v. Wade v. the GOP - Thousands of people descended upon the nation's capital on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade to protest abortion laws, while lawmakers inside the capitol debated and passed a bill permanently prohibiting the use of federal funding for abortion. The day before, leaders were forced to pull a more restrictive bill that banned abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.  (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Censured - The Republican National Committee recently voted to censure Michigan national committeeman David Agema for posting an article from a white supremacist group on his Facebook page. He also has posted anti-gay and anti-Muslim essays. "It is important that we lead by example. We have to be a party that welcomes people and engages voters of all backgrounds, and we cannot allow one man's fringe views to undermine the work that is ahead of us," said RNC chairman Reince Priebus. Photo: MLIVE.COM/Landov)

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Censured - The Republican National Committee recently voted to censure Michigan national committeeman David Agema for posting an article from a white supremacist group on his Facebook page. He also has posted anti-gay and anti-Muslim essays. "It is important that we lead by example. We have to be a party that welcomes people and engages voters of all backgrounds, and we cannot allow one man's fringe views to undermine the work that is ahead of us," said RNC chairman Reince Priebus. Photo: MLIVE.COM/Landov)

No Voting Rights for You? - Democratic lawmakers will likely have a fight if they hope to restore the section of the Voting Rights Act the Supreme Court overturned in 2013. "There are still very, very strong protections in the Voting Rights Act in the area that the Supreme Court ruled on, which is the question of whether or not certain states, there were, I think 11 states, all Southern states, that were required by law to seek pre-clearance of any changes in where polling places are located and other matters like that," says Rep. Bob Goodlatte, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

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No Voting Rights for You? - Democratic lawmakers will likely have a fight if they hope to restore the section of the Voting Rights Act the Supreme Court overturned in 2013. "There are still very, very strong protections in the Voting Rights Act in the area that the Supreme Court ruled on, which is the question of whether or not certain states, there were, I think 11 states, all Southern states, that were required by law to seek pre-clearance of any changes in where polling places are located and other matters like that," says Rep. Bob Goodlatte, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

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Honoring the Past - The president plans to visit Selma, Alabama, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of historic civil rights marches across the state. The trip also will highlight the upcoming 50th anniversary of the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. (Photo: Birmingham News/Landov)

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Honoring the Past - The president plans to visit Selma, Alabama, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of historic civil rights marches across the state. The trip also will highlight the upcoming 50th anniversary of the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. (Photo: Birmingham News/Landov)

Burn! - Former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams threw some major shade on conservative commentator and potential presidential nominee Mike Huckabee when the two appeared on The View. Huckabee recently criticized the Obamas for allowing their children to listen to Beyoncé, slammed her lyrics and accused her husband of pimping her out. "I'm not the Carters' spokesperson, but to hear some of those comments that you said, I thought were very, very, very low," Williams told him. (Photos: ABC/Ida Mae Astute)

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Burn! - Former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams threw some major shade on conservative commentator and potential presidential nominee Mike Huckabee when the two appeared on The View. Huckabee recently criticized the Obamas for allowing their children to listen to Beyoncé, slammed her lyrics and accused her husband of pimping her out. "I'm not the Carters' spokesperson, but to hear some of those comments that you said, I thought were very, very, very low," Williams told him. (Photos: ABC/Ida Mae Astute)

The Presidents Club - Former President Bill Clinton came to the defense of President Obama, who some critics say spends too much time golfing. "They can always get you if they need you," he told late night host Seth Meyers. "Every mind needs some release, and I think it's a good thing." (Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

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The Presidents Club - Former President Bill Clinton came to the defense of President Obama, who some critics say spends too much time golfing. "They can always get you if they need you," he told late night host Seth Meyers. "Every mind needs some release, and I think it's a good thing." (Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Not So Fast! - As failed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney plots his third bid for the White House, many in his party are asking why. "He had a great opportunity last time and I personally want a fresh face," Louisiana Republican Party chair Roger Villere told Politico. "What's going to be different this time?" (Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

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Not So Fast! - As failed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney plots his third bid for the White House, many in his party are asking why. "He had a great opportunity last time and I personally want a fresh face," Louisiana Republican Party chair Roger Villere told Politico. "What's going to be different this time?" (Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)