Bob McDonnell greeted President Obama with a golf glove in hand

Obama had arrive at Virginia for a trip to a Most highly regarded manufacturing plant, the place that the president promoted his insurance policy for a $1 billion manufacturing research initiative which can be unlikely to get funded by Republicans in Congress. When offered the glove, Obama smiled, but failed to consider the gift from McDonnell. That task stayed to your White House aide after Obama had left McDonnell to travel work a rope distinctive line of supporters.

From the distance, the encounter looked friendly. But then McConnell had not been entirely joking when he noticed that Obama's golf Mizuno MP-59 Irons game has developed into a focus of Republican opposition researchers. In the months in the future, Obama's weekend hobby is scheduled to turn into a political battleground.

Romney, to whom McDonnell works as a surrogate about the campaign trail, has become particularly harsh in their assessment in the president's handicap. I just think it's time to use a president whose thought of being hands on doesn't mean finding a better grip on the club, Romney quipped late recently, in one of varied gibes that Romney uses against Obama's game around the campaign trail.

Romney's campaign has purchased a website, fortyfore.com, which tries to raise money off Obama's hobby. Donate $18 to transmit President barack obama with a permanent vacation, runs the pitch, alongside a counter that claims Obama has played 1,656 holes of golf since arriving at work.

With a January Republican debate, Romney, who not play golf, went further. The challenge in the usa, and The Ping G20 driver president doesn't desire to discuss this, is you've got a president who's played 90 rounds of golf while you will find 25 million Americans out of work, Romney said, earning wild applause. For Romney's strategists, Obama?'s golf habit at a time of economic strife is a symbol of his disconnect from the people he governs.

What things be made of McDonnell's encouragement with the Obama golf performance? The Virginia governor is, in fact, a respected contender for your vice presidential pick should Romney win the nomination. He's governor of an key swing state with deep roots inside evangelical bottom of the Republican Party, where Romney has struggled to gain traction.

Based on McDonnell, it had been nothing more than an amiable gesture for any leader who has all discount golf clubs things except a Wilson golf glove inscribed together with his state's tourism and travel slogan, Virginia is for lovers.