Some voters in the 2008 presidential election cast their ballots with the economy heavy on their minds. Others worried more about the War in Iraq. Or health insurance. Or taxes.
Surprisingly, for as much as President-elect Barack Obama and former president-hopeful John McCain talked about those issues, they also gave the American audience a fair dose of sports talk. Throughout the campaigns, both McCain and Obama predicted World Series winners, talked about favorite athletes, discussed what are the most serious problems that face sports and weighed in on whether college football should move away from the BCS system.
And though Obama earned his way to the White House by gaining the trust of Americans on more serious issues, let’s see how he would have done if the sole issue was sports.
Forget electoral votes — too arbitrary. Let’s do it more like the popular vote: one vote per question, whoever has more in the end takes the victory.
Question one: If you could go to any athletic event, which would it be? (Asked by Chris Berman Monday night.)
McCain: The Super Bowl.
Obama: The Final Four.
Advantage: Obama.
The Super Bowl? Is that the best, most original answer you could come up with, Senator McCain? At least Obama picked an event with youth, drama, buzzer-beaters and Cinderellas. The Super Bowl seems as choreographed as Broadway; more attention is given to the halftime show than the game. Though the Super Bowl last year was exciting, the Final Four was better. Obama not only picked a better event, but he clearly didn’t go for the obvious answer... The Super Bowl. Give the vote to Obama.
Obama: 1 McCain: 0
Question two: If you could change one thing about sports, what would it be? (Again asked by Berman Monday night.)
McCain: Performance-enhancing drugs.
Obama: The BCS system.
Advantage: McCain.
Talk about blind idealism. President-elect Obama is a little too hopeful on this one. The BCS system is in worse shape than our economy. And it doesn’t look like it’s about to get fixed anytime soon. Though a move away from the BCS system seems good, an eight-team playoff might pose more logistical problems than solutions. Senator McCain brought up an issue that is a problem in multiple sports and has the potential to stain the integrity of competition and affect youngsters who idolize Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and other alleged steroid users. Credit McCain for providing an answer that takes into consideration the health of the sports world and the health of its athletes. The vote goes to McCain.
Obama: 1 McCain: 1
Question three: Who is your favorite athlete to watch? (Asked by Si.com reporter Arash Markazi.)
McCain: Ted Williams and Curt Schilling.
Obama: His daughter, Malia.
Advantage: Obama.
President-elect Obama is the clear winner on this one. First, he plays the loving father card. Good political move. Everyone loves a family man. Second, if McCain was trying to not make himself seem so old, he failed. Ted Williams? Great player, but if you’re trying to appeal to the youth you should avoid mentioning sluggers who played in the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. He redeems himself somewhat by going on to explain how he likes Williams because of his military career. But still, it’s a questionable answer for a man who is trying to not appear so old. Not to mention that I can think of dozens upon dozens of baseball players who might be more exciting to watch than Curt Schilling.
Obama wins this question and earns the vote.
Obama: 2 McCain: 1
Question four: Best piece of advice you’ve received from a coach or athletic figure? (Asked by Berman Monday night.)
McCain: “Do the honorable thing and even when nobody’s looking”
Obama: “This is not about you. It’s about the team.”
Advantage: McCain
This is a tough one. But I’ll give McCain the benefit of the doubt on this one because he’s behind in points. And because he’s such a maverick. We’ll give him the vote.
Obama: 2 McCain: 2
Question five: What sport traditions will you bring to the White House? (Asked by Markazi.)
McCain: Young boxers and T-ball on the South Lawn.
Obama: A basketball court.
Advantage: Obama.
This one’s a no-brainer. Though I don’t know how I feel about building a basketball court with taxpayer dollars, I think it’s still an idea worth considering ... it’s probably fair to say that federal funds have been wasted in worse ways. Regardless, I’m willing to have some of my tax money go to helping Obama play some ball between intelligence briefings and meeting with foreign diplomats. Give him the vote for a novel idea.
Final Count — Obama: 3, McCain: 2.
No matter what party you affiliate with, if you are a sports fan, you should rest assured: It seems like the candidate with the most sports sense is in the White House.
If only sports was the biggest concern for our country right now.
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