(CNN) - House Republican Whip Eric Cantor - among the unlikeliest attendees at a Britney Spears concert earlier this week in Washington - told CNN Thursday he went to the teen-dominated show for a political event, to "help the team."
"I had a political event there, and it was simply because it was there to help the team, that's why I was there," Cantor told CNN's Dana Bash.
According to a Republican aide, Cantor was specifically raising money at the concert for his political action committee, ERICPAC. The event was hosted by the Truckers Association, which has a box at the Verizon Center, where Spears was performing.
The Web site Wonkette first reported Cantor was spotted at the event, which took place as President Obama held a prime-time press conference.
Cantor told CNN the concert - part of the singer's "Circus" tour - was "quite a show."
"I hand it to the performer, she was something," he said.
The congressman also said his daughter was "really mad" he did not bring her to the concert. "She had school that day, and the next, and I wasn't going to bring her up here to miss it."
From CNN Politics
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Wow. I just can't seem to put my thoughts into words on this one.
Much Creepier Obama
So, he wanted to "help the team?" Which "team" is he batting for, again?
eric looks like an obama employee.
WMWG!
I can see him twiddling his fingers (similiar to Mr. Burns from the Simpson) as he said, "She is quite a show."
I dont and never will trust this guy !!!
Here's a riddle:
How much money do teenie-boppers at a Britney Spears concert have?
As much as a creepy middle-aged Republican child molester gives them.
It would have been hard to swoon over Britney with his daughter there. He would not have been able to be 'real.'
Okay...he did not bring his daughter??? But he went??? He gives creepy a new meaning.
So here's the deal. you have a 46 yr old man who goes to a teeny concert alone and if his kid lives in the district he rep's then she shouldn't miss 2 days of school. it's a 2 hours away.
He is the leader of good for nothing.
He has a BS fetish. You can read between the lines on that statement.
Ohh... such a nice dad, wouldn't take his daughter to the concert because she would go to bed an hour or two later... typical Republican hyporcite.
Hey Cantor so how is going to a Britney Concert now considered a political event even if some donors are there? Interesting I bet if Obama had done something like this you would have jumped all over him for not doing enough to help the economy and that he was wasn't taking his job seriously enough.
Why is it not surprising to find Republican leaders seeking more funding from white suburban teen consumers attending a bland, insipid pop music concert.
Republucan Whip Cantor said, "I had a political event there, and it was simply because it was there to help the team, that's why I was there." Huh? Is this type of speech contagious?
So, we're reduced to reporting on who went to the Brittany Spears concert. Of course, the story was recycled from Wonkette, so that makes it, you know, journalism.
Obama answers questions from the American people, Republicans attend pop concerts.
Wow......just WOW!
So, does this mean that Britney Spears is a Republican and the new poster child for the next generation of GOP members? If yes, then the Republicans have bigger problems than just Rush Limbaugh, Michael Steele, Anne Coulter, Eric Cantor, Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal ... and so on ... and so on ...
He saw Brittany's Concert – The "Circus Tour" – - How appropriate for him
This clown – along with the other moronic leaders of the "NO! everything" party – held an "emergency" press conference to annouce the details of their alternate budget proposal.
I watched and once again nothing, bupkuss, nada. Same old-same old tax cuts for the rich and drill, baby drill.
Nice job you idiots, keep up the good work on behalf of the American people...
What Republican morals was that?
LOL
Cantor, truckers, and Britney. Going to have to figure it it was the big buckles or Spears gyrations that turned another "holier than thou" Republican on.
The GOP and Britney have one thing in common........................................The term " train-wreck " seems to jump right out at me.
Help the team?? Do many teenagers contribute to PACS?
Cantor is a very odd fellow – maybe he has some kind of Britney fetish....some scandal will come out of it most likely, lol.
And today Cantor was one of the Republicans touting their much anticipated alternative budget, which was 19 pages of vagueness except for the promise to drop the tax rate for the wealthiest Americans to the lowest rate since...1931. Apparently they don't think the Great Depression was all that bad.
It wasn't an actual budget, of course, just like their housing plan ("we don't know how much it will cost") was not an actual housing plan. be nice if CNN gave a little more time to these stories.
LMAO!!!!!!!! This I cannot believe. He has been on every news outlet dogging all of Obama's statements & ideas, but he could not attend the press conference to be front and center to see BRITNEY SPEARS for a fundraiser. YOU HAVE GOTTA TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!
To make it worse he did not take his daughter? He went by himself? Now that is just creeping!!!! Wonder what dirty thoughts were going through his mind as he marveled at her performing skills. Since he had nothing better to do that night. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!
For a man that preachers morality I just say wow. People have to watch out for people who speak morality to others and does the opposite themselves. I say so next time Cantor you try to give others advise on how they should act please look in the mirror.
So why did Cantor spend so much time criticizing Obama for going on Leno? Oh yeah, he took the rushpublican HYPOCRITIC oath.
Cantor at a Brittney concert ........sounds about right........I guess he needed to take a break from all his effortless work of providing zero ideas to a morally and scoially corrupt republican party..........ooops he did it again..........absolutely nothing
Rep Canter, U are a Dad,way MONEY vs your Baby! Spear is money, your baby has tape in her ipod!
"Yep" Lets focus our attention on the lowest common denominator of society that should win us a few elections! Oh and yes CNN I fully expect you to not post my comment! I mean, thats what censorship is all about isn't it?
Obviously he's batting for the T & A Team if he thought B. Spears was more important than a sitting President's news conference.
Rethuglicriminals HAVE no SHAME ... or INTELLIGENCE, for that matter ...
And this idiot is expecting people to vote for him???? Good Luck!
Nothing like hanging out with the teenagers, picking up chicks...
What team was he on and the last time i check during the presidential election, he was not even claiming to be a Republican. Wow now he want to be on the team.
Cantor went to a Brittney Spears concert with truckers?
Can the GOP get any weirder, seriously?
Hey, the only people that like the Republicans right now are the 4 to 13 year old set... And that's because they don't better.
This is a pretty good demonstration of where Republican heads (talking and otherwise) are!
GOoPs did it again.
wow...........
This is what the YOUNG GOP leaders decide to do while the Obama & Dems are pounding on the party philosophies and interestingly while Obama is engaging the country and the youth on energizing the nation!!!
KEEP IT UP .. – mudhapakkahs .. You are all extinct by 2012
does he like spears?
Republican, teenage males, bathroom stall...
YIKES!
This guy is the smarmiest prevarocator who has walked the halls in congress. He is BS incarnate.
Just another repressed, white Republican.
Eric – what a riot. Hey, how come there are NO stories around these parts about the unveiling of that sensational budget today??
Cen sor s*ip much around here?
AND...............
did you stick in (the GOP budget) in her spoilt arse?????
I don't see it anywhere...
And where was Boehner?
sick cantor reps need counselling sick old man
Why do I always think this guy is about to burst out into a few choruses of "Deutchland Uber Alles"?
Imagine, Britney Spears opening the mind of a Republican. Imagine what Madonna could do for Cantor.
I never figured him for a Britney groupie, but there's no accounting for taste. I can't imagine him raising a lot of funds from the crowd at one of these concerts.
hahahahahaha....i am with obama-mama.. this just seems creepy, however, when first reading the story, i thought , hmmm, interesting way to reach out to younger voters, seeing how i just read the other day that spears is a republican, but then i read that he didnt let his young daugther go with him. so it was just him and a bunch of truckers in an arena box watching a sexy brittany slink around the stage.. doesnt she have a whip during the show.. are we sure they were JUST watching the show....
CANTOR , TRUCKERS and BRITTANY.. OH MY!!!
You can tell where his head is
If this an attempt to bcome relevant with younger voters, sorry it is weak and it won't work.
Republicans tend to remind most young voters of what they do not want to be like.
Closed minded and down right hateful. Even the guys daughter is pissed at him.
No wonder the repubs do not have time to come up with any plans on the economy, they are hanging out with teenagers.
Not sure what he meant by "she was something". These repugs are forever telling Obama not to have some down time. I hope he doesn't give his opinion of something Obama said when he much rather watch another has been on stage.
It's perfect–phony politician goes to see phony singer.
Didn't the neocons make fun of then-Senator Obama during his campaign by comparing him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton? Now it turns out these hypocrites are drooling over such shallow celebrities. Every time you turn around, it's clear that the Republicans don't walk their talk.
What just happened?
... I read part of that story and I think I blacked out for a bit.
So truckers, got together with a congressman, to watch Brittney Spears?
Okay, sure, that all sounds about right.
Talk about pandering.........................very sad.
He was there for the GOP team to recruit Britney as the new GOP Leader !!
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I never figured him for a Britney groupie, but there's no accounting for taste. I can't imagine him raising a lot of funds from the crowd at one of these concerts.
Do your thing Cantor, it's all in good fun.
Get a clue!!!!!
creepy – creepy – he is like one of those kids in highschool who had to be in every picture and on every committee and everyone hated him!
Hmmmm....next congressional candidate for a underage sex scandal?? Can't stop Cantor the Rantor!
This man is full of hot air. He has way too much to say against the President but he says nothing. He is representative of how this country got into this situation. He went to see Briney Spears instead of listening to the President. The next day, he was the first person on TV talking against the President's policy! He didn't know what he was talking about, as usual.
I actually hope the GOP continues to allow him to be one of the many faces of the GOP! He is a prime example of why education in the US needs to focus on "thinking skills" because this man cannot think at all.
Another Republican hopeful for 2012 proves to fall into the moron category.... Palin, Jindal, Cantor, NEXT!!
Why was he there again? I think the look on his face says it all...
Britney would do a better job than their current leader – Rush.
Cantor, Cantor!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man you need a reality check. You man are soooooooooooo out of touch.
Cantor you are such bad news. 'DONT'T EVEN GO THERE! OUT OF TOUCH with us
'zaphod2000 March 26th, 2009 4:58 pm ET
Not sure what he meant by "she was something". '
Stop being paranoid. Everytime a Republican makes a statement, it's not a swipe at Obama. You're trying to imply that by him saying Spears was "something", he was saying that Obama is "nothing". Get real.
It looks like the loyal opposition has come with an alternative to the budget. I beleive it is the same weak soup sandwiwich measures and tax cuts for the wealthy that got us into this mess.
With some healthy handouts to big oil, insurance companies and no funding what so ever for education priorities.
These GOP guys are joke.
LOL....no surprise here.
This douch bag is the GOP's version of Obama ? young &hip cyeah right! the gop pulled this crap before and we got eight years of "W" no more. it's not going to happen again.
who cares?
Cantor is the best Britney Spears fan ever. I guess going to a Britney junket with fat-cat contributors is how Cantor conducts business as usual in Washington. Who paid for his tickets?
Hilarious.
Eric Cantor skipped tuning in to Obama's press conference to attend a Brittany Spears concert...
and he left his daughter at home!
Maybe Brittany Spear helped the Republicans write that ridiculous joke they call a budget proposal. A budget proposal without a single figure in it is definitely a: Circus.
this guy looks like a chester.
That sissy goes off to a Britney Spears concert instead of being presnt for a Presidential address? And he's supposed to be a rising young spokesman for the Republican Party? Some spokesman...some party!
The return of GOP...the leaders our children should look up to.
Obama 2012
He was at a Britney Spears concert to get ideas on how to run the GOP.
I can't beleive anybody over the age of 10 would even admit to being at a talent zero Britney Spears show, this shows this man has no taste, his credibility is thinkable, she is a horrible entertainer, she can't even sing, she lips at all of her shows pathetic
Picking Cantor as the minority Republican Whip is a mistake. He does not present well with that silly grin on his face whenever he talks. He also cannot and will not provide specific answers to specific questions posed to him. He comes across weak and not very knowledgeable.
The Republican Party is going down.
Lame excuse for a night out from a lame excuse.
If anyone believes this story I have some swamp land in Florida.
This guy needs to resign
Jeez Louise, do we have scrutinize every step a politician makes? I am a Democrat and if Cantor wants to go see Brit Britt, who cares. If he's on his own time and his own dime, who cares.
Every politician regardless of political affiliation deserves down time. I served in the military 20 years and can tell you, even soldiers in the field have down time. It doesn't mean they aren't ready or committed to the mission, but they need time to unwind, relax and brain dump a lot of stress that the average citizen can't even imagine.
We are becoming exactly what we hate in others. A bunch of emptyheaded Idiots!
Eric Cantor, who is one of the big, big recipients of campaign donations from big banks and bears above average responsibility for allowing this crisis, needs to return the $2500 of tax payer dollars accepted from CITIGROUP after the bailout to the U. S. Treasury. Where's the outrage CNN?
POOR JUDGEMENT BY THIS REPUG. IN WHAT LANGUAGE IS BRITNEY SPEARS IS A GOOD PERFORMER????? CANTOR IS A JOKE.
Probabbly another republican PERVERT.
He was there without his teen daughter???
Sumthin fishy there....
it seems that the repugs has not gotten over their lost. stop being cry babies and lets move on. FOR THE COUNTRYS" SAKE. PLEASE.
I bet she wishes she was dancing around in a trenchcoat now.
Shouldn't he be in DC working on the beefing up the GOP's pitiful 19 page budget proposal? LOL
Seriously...can you not see how idiotic those comments you GOPers make really are?
My guess is, he's just using Britney to get closer to Justin Timberlake.
Just another form of toe tapping from another Republican.
Sorry? Say again??? What kind of weird is he?
Whatever...
Was he recruiting teens at the concert? He finally listened to Steele. Say hhhhoooooo!!!
Cantor looks like Frankenstein without the stitches. His policies, though, are very frankenstonian–just the same old worn-out ideas, sewn together and resurrected for another go-around. No thanks, Republicans!!
how sad that he has to attend concerts to schmooze. can't a person just go to have fun anymore?
What's the big deal? You can DVR a tv speech, not a live concert.
Dirty suit.
He went to see Britney but wouldn't take his daugher?????? How old is he anyway??????????????????
A Britany Spears concert seems to be about his speed. This guy is not for real. Sad what politics has become.
Did Cantor write the GOP's "budget" at the Britney concert?
We may never know the true motive for taking in the show. The mind is capable of justifying any thing.