Obama doesn't catch a break from politics on 50th birthday

Republicans wished President Obama a happy 50th birthday on Wednesday by — how else? — looking to score some political points.

Politics aren't taking a break for the president, who faced withering attacks from Republicans for his handling of the economy to coincide with the first day of the congressional recess.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's (R) presidential campaign released a video late Tuesday attacking Obama on his economic record in the president's own hometown of Chicago, where Obama will travel later Thursday. 

The Romney video contrasts Obama's lofty promises from his election-night speech in Grant Park with the tough time the Windy City has faced during the recession.

Romney said on Twitter:

.@BarackObama celebrates his 50th bday & collects $35,800 checks but IL is struggling due to his failed policies. Video: http://t.co/4rtfKwU

Romney's campaign followed up on the video with an email hitting Obama on the same topic. "Today, President Obama is celebrating his birthday at a fundraiser in Chicago where he'll be collecting $35,800 per plate to fuel his billion-dollar campaign," wrote campaign digital director Zac Moffatt in an email to supporters.

Obama's set to travel to Chicago on Wednesday evening for a trio of birthday-themed fundraisers in his hometown. He won't spend the night there, though; Obama will return to the White House just after midnight Thursday.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), meanwhile, also released a new Web video marking the one-year anniversary of — not Obama's birthday, per se — but Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner's op-ed in The Washington Post, "Welcome to the Recovery."

The NRSC video contrasts clips of the president, Geithner and a slew of Democratic senators talking up progress in the economy against statistics indicating that the economy has yet to fully recover.

"Failed policies. Failed leadership. Failed recovery," the video says. "It's time for a Republican Senate."

Updated 10:28 a.m.