Swampland -- a political blog run by Time -- has joined in on the Barack Obama-Gilbert Arenas chatter.
Check it out here.
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Givers: NFL -- NFC East
It's time for another installment of The Givers -- an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
Today we move to the NFC, starting with the NFC East:
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones (Owner) -- $5,850 total: $2,100 to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), $3,750 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia)
New York Giants
Steve Tisch (Owner) -- $40,900 total: $26,700 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, $10,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $4,200 to Sen. Hilary Clinton (D-New York)
Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffrey Lurie (Owner) -- $9,800 total: $5,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $700 to Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pennsylvania), $2,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York), $2,100 to Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pennsylvania)
Washington Redskins
Daniel Snyder (Owner) -- $63,200 total: $50,000 to the Republican National Committee, $5,000 to the Republican Party of Virginia, $4,200 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), $4,000 to defeated Senate candidate Michael Steele (R-Maryland)
The lesson: Daniel Snyder represents D.C. well and doesn't disappoint. He's the clubhouse leader in the NFC right now.
Today we move to the NFC, starting with the NFC East:
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones (Owner) -- $5,850 total: $2,100 to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), $3,750 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia)
New York Giants
Steve Tisch (Owner) -- $40,900 total: $26,700 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, $10,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $4,200 to Sen. Hilary Clinton (D-New York)
Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffrey Lurie (Owner) -- $9,800 total: $5,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $700 to Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pennsylvania), $2,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York), $2,100 to Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pennsylvania)
Washington Redskins
Daniel Snyder (Owner) -- $63,200 total: $50,000 to the Republican National Committee, $5,000 to the Republican Party of Virginia, $4,200 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), $4,000 to defeated Senate candidate Michael Steele (R-Maryland)
The lesson: Daniel Snyder represents D.C. well and doesn't disappoint. He's the clubhouse leader in the NFC right now.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Barack Obama could score 85 points on Duke
Dan Shanoff, formerly of ESPN.com's Page 2, had a great post this afternoon comparing Barack Obama to Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards.
A personal favorite of mine is that Arenas actually refers to himself as "The Black President" on his MySpace Page.
Shanoff makes a pretty strong argument actually, noting that both might be the most talented people in their respective fields but are not the frontrunners for the top prize (MVP, the presidency).
The one distinction I would draw, however, is that Arenas comes off as selfish sometimes, taking too many shots. Obama, on the other hand, comes off as overly humble, arguing that he is running for president because of the will of the people, not for his own personal glory.
A personal favorite of mine is that Arenas actually refers to himself as "The Black President" on his MySpace Page.
Shanoff makes a pretty strong argument actually, noting that both might be the most talented people in their respective fields but are not the frontrunners for the top prize (MVP, the presidency).
The one distinction I would draw, however, is that Arenas comes off as selfish sometimes, taking too many shots. Obama, on the other hand, comes off as overly humble, arguing that he is running for president because of the will of the people, not for his own personal glory.
The Givers: NFL -- AFC West
It's time for another installment of The Givers -- an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
Today we look at the NFL's AFC West
Denver Broncos
Pat Bowlen (Owner) -- $1,000 total: $1,000 to Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colorado)
Kansas City Chiefs
Clark Hunt (Onwer) -- $5,100 total: $2,100 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), $2,000 to the Missouri Republican Party, $1,000 to Volunteer PAC (former Sen. Bill Frist's (R-Tennessee) PAC)
Carl Peterson (GM) -- $29,750 total: $14,700 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, $5,000 to Good Government of America (George Allen's PAC), $5,200 to George Allen, $2,100 to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri), $2,000 to the Republican National Committee, $750 to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri)
Oakland Raiders
Owner Al Davis, GM Michael Lombardi and former coach Art Shell didn't win this season. They also didn't give to political candidates.
San Diego Chargers
Alex Spanos (Owner) -- $92,633 total: $25,000 National Republican Congressional Committee, $25,000 to the Republican National Committee, $7,100 to Sen. John Ensign (R-Nevada), $4,833 to the Greek-American PAC, $4,200 George Allen, $2,100 to Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), $2,100 to Sen. Bob Corker(R-Tennessee), $4,200 to Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-California), $2,000 to Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida), $2,000 to the 21st Century Freedom PAC (former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki's PAC), $4,000 to Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), $1,000 to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California), $1,000 to former Sen. John Sarbanes (D-Maryland), $1,000 to defeated Senatorial candidate Michael Steele (R-Maryland), $500 to Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Illinois), $1,000 to Rep. Dennis Cardonza (D-California)
The lesson: If you run for office, you can get money from Alex Spanos
Today we look at the NFL's AFC West
Denver Broncos
Pat Bowlen (Owner) -- $1,000 total: $1,000 to Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colorado)
Kansas City Chiefs
Clark Hunt (Onwer) -- $5,100 total: $2,100 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), $2,000 to the Missouri Republican Party, $1,000 to Volunteer PAC (former Sen. Bill Frist's (R-Tennessee) PAC)
Carl Peterson (GM) -- $29,750 total: $14,700 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, $5,000 to Good Government of America (George Allen's PAC), $5,200 to George Allen, $2,100 to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri), $2,000 to the Republican National Committee, $750 to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri)
Oakland Raiders
Owner Al Davis, GM Michael Lombardi and former coach Art Shell didn't win this season. They also didn't give to political candidates.
San Diego Chargers
Alex Spanos (Owner) -- $92,633 total: $25,000 National Republican Congressional Committee, $25,000 to the Republican National Committee, $7,100 to Sen. John Ensign (R-Nevada), $4,833 to the Greek-American PAC, $4,200 George Allen, $2,100 to Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), $2,100 to Sen. Bob Corker(R-Tennessee), $4,200 to Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-California), $2,000 to Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida), $2,000 to the 21st Century Freedom PAC (former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki's PAC), $4,000 to Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), $1,000 to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California), $1,000 to former Sen. John Sarbanes (D-Maryland), $1,000 to defeated Senatorial candidate Michael Steele (R-Maryland), $500 to Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Illinois), $1,000 to Rep. Dennis Cardonza (D-California)
The lesson: If you run for office, you can get money from Alex Spanos
Thursday, February 8, 2007
David Wright dines with Dubya
The New York Post had a story today about New York Mets all-star David Wright eating dinner with George W. Bush at the White House this past Monday, along with San Diego's Trevor Hoffman, Toronto's Vernon Wells, Cubs manager Lou Piniella, broadcaster Tim McCarver and journalist/baseball nut George Will.
Here's Wright's take on the meal:
"The president was so approachable and knew everything that's going on with the Mets," he said. "The man definitely knows his baseball."
Bush certainly knows his hardball. His past career with the Texas Rangers has been well documented. In fact, I think that Bush's ties to baseball played a role in his election as president in 2000.
In many other situations, this would be a cool experience. It would be endearing to see a president take a break from dining with heads of state to meet with a bunch of baseball players from humble roots. But at this moment in US history, with the nation in two bloody wars, I think this type of meeting hurts the president's image.
Whereas most times a politician associates himself with sports it makes him seem like a man of the people, here it just makes Bush look silly. It seems like he should have bigger things on his plate.
Here's Wright's take on the meal:
"The president was so approachable and knew everything that's going on with the Mets," he said. "The man definitely knows his baseball."
Bush certainly knows his hardball. His past career with the Texas Rangers has been well documented. In fact, I think that Bush's ties to baseball played a role in his election as president in 2000.
In many other situations, this would be a cool experience. It would be endearing to see a president take a break from dining with heads of state to meet with a bunch of baseball players from humble roots. But at this moment in US history, with the nation in two bloody wars, I think this type of meeting hurts the president's image.
Whereas most times a politician associates himself with sports it makes him seem like a man of the people, here it just makes Bush look silly. It seems like he should have bigger things on his plate.
The Givers: NFL -- AFC South
It's time for another installment of The Givers -- an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
Today we look at the NFL's AFC South
Houston Texans
Robert McNair (Owner) -- $91,500 total: $50,000 to the Republican National Committee, $20,000 to the Texas Republican Congressional Committee, $5,000 to the National Thouroughbred Racing Association, $4,200 to former Rep. Tom Delay (R-Texas), $2,100 to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), $2,100 to former Rep. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R-Texas), $3,100 to defeated Illinois Congressional candidate David McSweeney (R), $1,000 to Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona), $1,000 to Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina), $1,000 to former Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Texas), $1,000 to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), $1,000 to the Republican Party of Kentucky
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay (Owner) -- $20,100 total: $16,000 to the Democratic Party of Marion County, Indiana, $2,100 to Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Indiana), $2,000 to Rep. Julia Carson (D-Indiana)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wayne Weaver (Owner) -- $4,000 total: $2,500 to Volunteer PAC (Bill Frist's PAC), $500 to Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Florida), $500 to former Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Florida), $500 to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Florida)
Tennessee Titans
Bud Adams (Owner) -- $2,000 total: $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee)
The lessons: 1) Bob McNair is a political heavyweight in the Republican Party. How the hell did Jim Clyburn, a Democrat, get money from him? 2) Jim Irsay scored a double victory this year. The lone Democrat in this division not only won a Super Bowl title, but also won control of the House and Senate.
Today we look at the NFL's AFC South
Houston Texans
Robert McNair (Owner) -- $91,500 total: $50,000 to the Republican National Committee, $20,000 to the Texas Republican Congressional Committee, $5,000 to the National Thouroughbred Racing Association, $4,200 to former Rep. Tom Delay (R-Texas), $2,100 to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), $2,100 to former Rep. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R-Texas), $3,100 to defeated Illinois Congressional candidate David McSweeney (R), $1,000 to Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona), $1,000 to Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina), $1,000 to former Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Texas), $1,000 to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), $1,000 to the Republican Party of Kentucky
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay (Owner) -- $20,100 total: $16,000 to the Democratic Party of Marion County, Indiana, $2,100 to Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Indiana), $2,000 to Rep. Julia Carson (D-Indiana)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wayne Weaver (Owner) -- $4,000 total: $2,500 to Volunteer PAC (Bill Frist's PAC), $500 to Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Florida), $500 to former Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Florida), $500 to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Florida)
Tennessee Titans
Bud Adams (Owner) -- $2,000 total: $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee)
The lessons: 1) Bob McNair is a political heavyweight in the Republican Party. How the hell did Jim Clyburn, a Democrat, get money from him? 2) Jim Irsay scored a double victory this year. The lone Democrat in this division not only won a Super Bowl title, but also won control of the House and Senate.
Nothing to do with sports except for the term "hockey stick"
When I saw the headline for This story I was very excited to have found another sports and politics story. It describes "hockey stick moments" in campaigns.
But as I read on, I came to realize that it had nothing to do with sports. Rather, a hockey stick moment is a graphical image -- when a candidate's popularity goes from a flatline to a sharp rise (as in the shape of a hockey stick).
Still, it's an interesting read.
But as I read on, I came to realize that it had nothing to do with sports. Rather, a hockey stick moment is a graphical image -- when a candidate's popularity goes from a flatline to a sharp rise (as in the shape of a hockey stick).
Still, it's an interesting read.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
The Givers: NFL -- AFC North
It's time for another installment of The Givers -- an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
Today we look at the NFL's AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Steve Bisciotti (Owner) -- $10,000 to the Maryland Republican State Central Committee
Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Brown (Owner) -- $4,200 to Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), $2,100 to Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio), $2,000 to Hamilton County, Ohio Commissioner Pat Dewine (R)
Cleveland Browns
Randy Lerner (Owner) -- $2,100 to Chillicothe, Ohio mayor Joe Sulzer (D)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Rooney (Owner) -- $3,000 to North Side Good Government Committee (a PAC run by the Rooney family that gives money to local, state and federal candidates)
Kevin Colbert (GM) -- $3,000 to North Side Good Government Committee
The lesson: If you work for Dan Rooney, you must give to his PAC
Today we look at the NFL's AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Steve Bisciotti (Owner) -- $10,000 to the Maryland Republican State Central Committee
Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Brown (Owner) -- $4,200 to Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), $2,100 to Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio), $2,000 to Hamilton County, Ohio Commissioner Pat Dewine (R)
Cleveland Browns
Randy Lerner (Owner) -- $2,100 to Chillicothe, Ohio mayor Joe Sulzer (D)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Rooney (Owner) -- $3,000 to North Side Good Government Committee (a PAC run by the Rooney family that gives money to local, state and federal candidates)
Kevin Colbert (GM) -- $3,000 to North Side Good Government Committee
The lesson: If you work for Dan Rooney, you must give to his PAC
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
The Givers: NFL -- AFC East
Today begin's a new series at The Sports Politician -- The Givers. It's an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
We start with the NFL's AFC East:
Buffalo Bills
Ralph Wilson (Owner) -- $2,100 to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), $800 to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Miami Dolphins
Wayne Huizenga (Owner) -- $2,100 to defeated Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL), $4,200 to defeated Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), $2,000 to Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), $2,000 to Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
New England Patriots
Robert Kraft (Owner) -- $10,000 to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
New York Jets
Robert Wood Johnson (Owner) -- $10,000 to Solutions America (Rudy Giuliani's PAC), $5,000 to Straight Talk America (John McCain's PAC)
The lesson: Wayne Huizenga can't even spend his money to find a winner in politics
We start with the NFL's AFC East:
Buffalo Bills
Ralph Wilson (Owner) -- $2,100 to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), $800 to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Miami Dolphins
Wayne Huizenga (Owner) -- $2,100 to defeated Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL), $4,200 to defeated Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), $2,000 to Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), $2,000 to Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
New England Patriots
Robert Kraft (Owner) -- $10,000 to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
New York Jets
Robert Wood Johnson (Owner) -- $10,000 to Solutions America (Rudy Giuliani's PAC), $5,000 to Straight Talk America (John McCain's PAC)
The lesson: Wayne Huizenga can't even spend his money to find a winner in politics
Monday, February 5, 2007
Roger Goodell Faces the Nation
In case you missed it on Sunday, CBS took a break from covering the Iraq war and the 2008 presidential election to shamelessly plug the Super Bowl on "Face the Nation."
NFL commissioner/boy wonder Roger Goodell faced off with Bob Schieffer (with sidekick Jim Nance, commentator for CBS Sports) to talk about the state of the league -- from steroids to concussions to African-American coaches. It was actually a pretty good interview, though I think Nance wasn't needed. You could tell that Schieffer knew his stuff.
But the show really took a turn for the worse when Schieffer did a segment with former NFL quarterbacks (and current CBS football analysts) Dan Marino and Phil Simms. Unlike in the Goodell segment, Schieffer simply talked with the two former players about Colts-Bears matchup.
The show would have been a nice take on overarching issues surrounding the Super Bowl had this last segment been omitted, but instead it turned into just another NFL blabfest -- like the one appearing on every other network that morning.
NFL commissioner/boy wonder Roger Goodell faced off with Bob Schieffer (with sidekick Jim Nance, commentator for CBS Sports) to talk about the state of the league -- from steroids to concussions to African-American coaches. It was actually a pretty good interview, though I think Nance wasn't needed. You could tell that Schieffer knew his stuff.
But the show really took a turn for the worse when Schieffer did a segment with former NFL quarterbacks (and current CBS football analysts) Dan Marino and Phil Simms. Unlike in the Goodell segment, Schieffer simply talked with the two former players about Colts-Bears matchup.
The show would have been a nice take on overarching issues surrounding the Super Bowl had this last segment been omitted, but instead it turned into just another NFL blabfest -- like the one appearing on every other network that morning.
Obama again
It seems like we've been flooded with Barack Obama sports news lately. Well, here's yet another tidbit:
Obama's wife, Michelle, is the sister of new Brown men's basketball coach Craig Robinson. So Obama's brother-in-law is a Division I basketball coach (as well as a former standout player at Princeton).
So Obama is both a Chicago and Brown Bears fan.
Obama's wife, Michelle, is the sister of new Brown men's basketball coach Craig Robinson. So Obama's brother-in-law is a Division I basketball coach (as well as a former standout player at Princeton).
So Obama is both a Chicago and Brown Bears fan.
McCain 1, Obama 0
In what might be a predictor for the 2008 presidential election, John McCain has trumped Barack Obama in the Super Bowl prediction contest.
Just hours before kickoff, McCain correctly chose the Indianapolis Colts to win the game when asked by George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week.
Obama, who has been very outspoken in his support for the Chicago Bears all season long, might have been correct in his prediction that going to war in Iraq was unwise, but he was not on the spot with his Super Bowl pick.
Just hours before kickoff, McCain correctly chose the Indianapolis Colts to win the game when asked by George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week.
Obama, who has been very outspoken in his support for the Chicago Bears all season long, might have been correct in his prediction that going to war in Iraq was unwise, but he was not on the spot with his Super Bowl pick.
Mmmmm ... Kosher nuts!
It's official, with the Indianapolis Colts defeating the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl last night, Indiana governor Mitch Daniels will be receiving a delicious meal from Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.
The native Illinois foods include the following:
-A deep-dish pizza
-Cheesecake
-Kosher nuts
-Candy
A deep-dish pizza is very Chicago, but cheesecake, nuts and candy? Come on Illinois, you can do better than that.
The native Illinois foods include the following:
-A deep-dish pizza
-Cheesecake
-Kosher nuts
-Candy
A deep-dish pizza is very Chicago, but cheesecake, nuts and candy? Come on Illinois, you can do better than that.
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