Courtney insults Republicans and Albert Haynesworth

I’m not sure who should be more insulted, Albert Haynesworth or Republican congressmen. In criticizing what he considers to be do-nothing Republicans in Congress and their plans for a light schedule in 2012, Connecticut 2nd District Congressman Joe Courtney, a Democrat, decided that the best symbolism of inactivity he could come up with is football player Haynesworth.

The massive defensive lineman, who now plays for the New England Patriots, is considered by many football experts to be among the best in the game at his position, when he is trying, that is. With his last team, the Washington Redskins, he did not try very hard, at least in the estimation of Coach Mike Shanahan, who traded him this past off season to the Patriots. Reviews of Haynesworth’s performance with the Patriots have been mixed.

So is Courtney suggesting that if Republicans really try, they could be the best politically? And does he risk alienating Patriots fans by criticizing someone who is now one of their own? He does, however, predict that with the Patriots, Haynesworth will work harder, unlike Republicans.

Was this attempt at adding a little sports humor into the political debate clever or clumsy? Here it is. You be the judge.

Courtney: “Albert Haynesworth will work harder next year than the Republican Congress”

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today released the following statement after the Republican Congress released the 2012 schedule for the House of Representatives. The schedule calls for 109 work days (only 55 of which are full work days) next year, including just three full work days in January.

“Right now, we are facing nine-percent unemployment and a foreclosure crisis, yet the Republican Congress’s solution is three full working days in January. This is not a serious approach to solving problems. It’s a bad situation to be in when the Patriots’ Albert Haynesworth will work harder next year than the Republican Congress.”