President Obama is asking Republicans to work with him on his jobs-creation initiative, which he will unveil Thursday, even though they’re already declaring it a dud. This delusion of bipartisanship on the part of Obama comes on the heels of his being snubbed by House Speaker John Boehner.

Obama had wanted to address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, but the Republican leader of the House told the Democratic president that he would have to choose some other day. On Wednesday, the candidates for the GOP nomination for president will participate in a national debate, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is leading in the polls, will be making his first appearance.

Republicans smell blood — Obama’s — and they aren’t going to do anything to give him a break. Indeed, given his refusal to match them blow-for-blow and to use the power of the presidency, Republicans have concluded that he’s not a fighter. They’ve been pounding away at him for months, but his only response has been to talk about the need for bipartisanship.

The president’s jobs speech Thursday comes at a time when his approval rating is dropping like a stone, the economy is in turmoil, and Republicans have made it clear that the only thing they care about is depriving him of a second term in 2012.

Will Obama take the fight to the GOP? Don’t hold your breath.