Boehner will invite Obama to outline his 'unpopular' ideas in January's State of the Union speech

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday settled the internal debate over whether the GOP should invite President Barack Obama to deliver his State of the Union address next month.

Some conservatives have said Boehner should not extend an invitation in order to register the GOP's anger over Obama's executive action on immigration. Others, however, have said failing to invite Obama would make Republicans look petty.

But Boehner found a way to split the difference on Thursday, apparently by leaning on that old saying, "nothing kills a bad product faster than good advertising."

"The more the president talks about his ideas, the more unpopular he becomes," Boehner deadpanned. "Why would I want to deprive him of that opportunity?"