Obama’s Super Bowl Party: Should Pat Toomey Attend?

President Obama will host an eclectic crowd to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers square off on Sunday.

As ABC News reported,

among the usual guests, including members of Congress, Cabinet Members and White House staff are J-Lo and Marc Anthony, the First Lady’s Office confirmed today.

Some members of Congress and their families, most of whom have a particular allegiance to their home state’s team, were also invited.

Those members of Congress who have so far RSVP-ed are the Senators from Pennsylvania – Republican Sen. Pat Toomey and Democrat Sen. Bob Casey. Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wisc) and  State Rep Rafael Anchia (D) from Dallas, TX will also attend.

Advertisement

This, of course, raises a couple questions…

First, will J.Lo — who can’t seem to say “no” to anybody on American Idol this season — be rooting for a team?  (My guess is she won’t be able to bring herself to root against either side).

More importantly, is this a smart move for newly-elected Republican Senator Pat Toomey?

Last year, Rep. Joseph Cao was the lone Republican to attend Obama’s Super Bowl Party.  (That was, perhaps, the highlight of his career).

Cao, of course, wasn’t just the only Republican to attend Obama’s Super Bowl party (in fairness, he is from Louisiana and the Saints did win the Super Bowl) — he was also the only House Republican to vote with Obama on health care reform.

… Rep. Cao then went on to lose his re-election.  (Cao was reportedly surprised and ‘hurt’ when Obama supported his Democratic opponent).  Is Toomey in danger of going down the same road?

My guess is that Toomey is merely attempting to represent his state, and to advance the cause of civility in politics.  I can’t imagine Toomey, who was formerly a U.S. Rep. and head of The Club for Growth, would be easily seduced by Obama’s hospitality. What is more, unlike Cao last year, Toomey isn’t up for re-election this year, nor does he represent such a Democratic-leaning district.

Advertisement

On the other hand, prior to his election, Toomey did say he would have voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court — and that he would have voted to repeal “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”

So who knows what the future may hold.  Maybe Obama’s charm offensive will some day result in persuading Pennsylvania’s newest senator to cross party lines on a key vote?

*** Special thanks to Ed and Allah for letting me guest blog this week!  Feel free to check out my Politics Daily blog and please do follow me on Twitter.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Trending on HotAir Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement