David Vitter upset he will miss football party as Democrats schedule Senate vote after Obama's speech
After news spread that a number of Republicans were planning to skip President Obama's major jobs speech Thursday night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scheduled a vote for directly following the president's remarks - thus forcing at least one Republican senator to reconsider his football-viewing plans for the night.
The vote, which Reid announced Wednesday evening, is a roll call vote on a GOP-sponsored joint resolution of disapproval regarding the president's exercise of authority to increase the debt limit.
According to the Washington Post, however, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) is less than pleased that the vote will require him to miss a football-viewing party.
"Typical Harry Reid," Vitter wrote to supporters in an email, according to the Post. "He's now scheduled votes that should've been held this morning for right before and right AFTER prez's speech. Pens in those who would have skipped speech, like me. So now I'll miss my own Saints game party at home. Always knew Harry was a Dirty Birds fan! Don't worry -- only strengthens my Who Dat resolve. On to the Super Bowl!"
Thursday night marks the first NFL game of the season, between the Greenbay Packers and the New Orleans Saints. Kick-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET, an hour and a half after the president's speech, which is set to start at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson blasted Vitter for his remarks on Thursday, calling it "a sad commentary on the state of the Republican Party when a Republican senator whines about having to show a modicum of respect to the President of the United States, and do the job his constituents hired him - and are paying him - to do."
Jentleson argued that, in light of the sacrifices Americans are being forced to make in the face of a bad economy, "it's not too much to ask Senator Vitter to sacrifice a few hours on his couch at home to vote on a bill that will create jobs and spur small-business entrepreneur ship by streamlining our patent system."
"I'm sure he has a television in his office as well," he added.
