rajncajn Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 This guy will say anything to stir the pot. Saints have yet to visit White House Posted by Mike Florio on June 24, 2010 5:43 PM ETThe New Orleans Saints have gotten their Super Bowl rings. But they've yet to make their traditional trip to the White House for a visit with the Commander-in-Chief. Usually, the visit has occurred before late June. Last year, the Steelers made the trip to D.C. in May. The year before, the Giants stopped by in April. After the Colts won Super Bowl XLI, the visit also occurred in April. In 2006, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter adopted the Secret Service look, wearing his shades inside the White House on June 2. So why haven't the Saints gone yet this year? The talk is that owner Tom Benson, a Republican, has resisted the trip due to his political leanings. Apparently, coach Sean Payton has been pushing the issue, explaining that the team has to make the trip to see President Obama, who was rooting for the Saints when they upset the Colts in February. We're told that the visit tentatively has been scheduled for August, in conjunction with the team's trip to New England for a preseason game against the Patriots. Whether Benson attends remains to be seen; the current thinking is that he won't. Saints deny report that politics are affecting Super Bowl champs' visit to the White House The Saints on Friday refuted a report that the Super Bowl champions have not made their traditional visit to the White House because of owner Tom Benson's political leanings. The past three Super Bowl champions have visited the President in April or May. The Saints, however, have yet to make the trip. The June 24 report, by ProFootballTalk.com, did not cite sources but indicated Benson's Republican partisanship might be behind the delay and said Sean Payton has been "pushing the issue." Saints vice president of communications Greg Bensel called the report "crap." "Mr. Benson is excited for our visit to the White House," Bensel said in an email. Benson, he said, "is not only eager to attend the White House celebration but is also eager to get the 2010 season started." The Saints reportedly have scheduled their trip to coincide with a preseason trip to the Boston area. The Saints play the New England Patriots in an exhibition game on Aug. 12. Bensel said the Saints' White House visit has been scheduled for months. He said White House officials were in charge of the event and thus responsible for releasing the date and other information surrounding it. The Saints, he said, are simply following their direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 lame. Make the freakin trip and be done with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zooty Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 lame. Make the freakin trip and be done with it. +1 that's a shame that the owners politics will interfere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted June 27, 2010 Author Share Posted June 27, 2010 lame. Make the freakin trip and be done with it. +1 that's a shame that the owners politics will interfere. Did you guys even read the 2nd article? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturphy Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Everyone bags on Florio but he nails things constantly. I don't believe 90% of what any team says in response to allegations anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Making the trip in August... why not just forget it altogether? Forget the reasons why, August almost makes it pointless. I think it's a waste of money anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 With Obama's delayed reaction on the Gulf spill, I can't say I'd want to race up to Washington to shake his hand either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 With Obama's delayed reaction on the Gulf spill, I can't say I'd want to race up to Washington to shake his hand either. It has nothing to do with Obama, or at least it should not. It's tradition, to visit the WHITE HOUSE first andf foremost. The Pres is just the matre de, butler, groundskeeper,renter, host, whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 ProFootballTalk.com, did not cite sources but indicated Benson's Republican partisanship might be behind the delay In other words, Florio is speculating and made up a story, and the Obama defenders are gleeful to act hurt and jump right on it. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Everyone bags on Florio but he nails things constantly. I don't believe 90% of what any team says in response to allegations anyway. And he misses even more. When you throw every piece of gossip at the all a few of them will stick. Usually, the visit has occurred before late June. It is still late June. This guy couldn't even wait until the moth is over? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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