GOP presidential debate will go on despite Obama speech conflict

NBC News has confirmed that the Republican presidential debate will go on as scheduled despite President Obama's request to address a joint session of Congress about his jobs plan at the same time.

"The Reagan Centennial GOP Candidates Debate with NBC News and POLITICO, hosted by the Reagan Foundation, will continue to take place on September 7th," NBC News Senior Vice President Lauren Kapp said. "We are thrilled that we now have a terrific opportunity to hear from national leaders of both major parties about the most pressing domestic issues facing the country."

White House press secretary Jay Carney said the timing of the address was "coincidental" and not designed to conflict with the GOP debate.

"One debate of many that’s on one channel of many was not enough of a reason" to pick another date, Carney said.

— Sam Youngman contributed to this report.