Fla. Lawmaker Misses Obama Speech to Meet With Boy Scouts

Tue, February 24, 2009 - 7:29 PM

Don't expect any reaction from GOP Rep. Adam Putnam to President Barack Obama's speech to Congress tonight.

He's busy with the Boy Scouts.

The Bartow Republican, who has announced he'll be running to be Florida's commissioner of agriculture in 2010 (and not for reelection to his congressional seat), won't be attending the speech.

According to his office, "Adam is attending an event this evening in Lakeland for the Thunderbird District Boy Scouts which has been on his schedule long before the President announced his speech."

"Adam wishes he could hear the President’s speech in person – which will be an historic event – but he cannot do both, and he felt a duty to fulfill his commitment to the Scouts," said the statement.

-- Billy House, Media General News Service