Every week after President Barack Obama delivers his weekly address, the Republicans get a chance to respond. Because they don't, of course, have a singular figure who would naturally address the nation each week, the speakers vary. So far in 2014, 11 Republican candidates — four House hopefuls and seven vying for Senate seats — have had the honor to take to YouTube and spread their party's message. In the fall of an election year, the GOP weekly address is an opportunity for Republicans to showcase some of their hopefuls on the ballot to a broader audience than the candidates can normally reach themselves — because not everyone pays attention to every Senate race, or to New York congressional campaigns. “The weekly address is a great opportunity to showcase our diverse and talented group of candidates to the country," said Michael Short, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, which coordinates the speeches. He said the party's "tremendous slate" allows the GOP to contrast its record with the president's. There are some common themes mentioned time and time again: dissatisfaction with the president's job approval, the desire to expand domestic energy production, repealing the Affordable Care Act and cutting government regulation. Saturday's address, posted at 6 a.m., will feature Will Hurd, the GOP nominee for Texas' 23rd House district. Here is a summary of the others. (more…)
