There is a legend in sports that the result of the Washington Redskins game preceding an election matches the result of the election. Since 1936, if the Redskins win, the incumbent party hold retains the White House, 'Skins lose, the White House changes hands.
It has actually worked out every time except 2004, and maybe 2000. So, in what the NFL schedulers worked out to be brilliant, Washington is playing on Monday Night. A last minute thrill for those who believe such folklore to be anything more than a coincidence.
Only two things could really boost the drama, if the candidates were for some reason willing to appear on MNF, and if the other team somehow came from a politically relavant place.
Oddly enough, both of those things are going to happen. For reasons escaping logic, Chris Berman is going to get to interview both candidates at halftime. This seems fun, as there is reaaly no way Berman is not aware of this folklore, particularly as he discussed it in the pre-game show on ESPN this Sunday morning.
Oh, and Washington is playing Pittsburgh. Obama is going to win in DC. By a huge margin. So, he can back Pittsburgh, and it serves him well to do so politically as well as by legend. By the myth, if McCain backs the Steelers, he's hoping for an Obama win. If he doesn't, he goes on TV to root against the Steelers.
Do i really beleive that a president's pick in a football game, already half over, can effect the outcome of an election? No. Do I think the question gives McCain a chance to look a bit daffy? Sure.
What I can't figure out is why a presidential candidate would want to be interviewed by a sports broadcaster. Chris Berman is not going to throw either candidate any tough questions. He seems like a very agreeable guy. And he has nothing to gain by seeming overtly political.
It seems both candidates are lowering themselves a bit to essentially be part of a half-time program for the NFL. Aside from that, Obama should demand the intro be sung by anyone other than Williams. Both because the guy is terrible musically and because he's been a tuneless surrogate for the McCain ticket.
For my part, I picked the 'Skins in a pool. I did so because I can't pick Pittsburgh. I'm a Patriots Fan, I dislike the Steelers. I also forgot about the coincidence. I'd like to say that I'm 100% free of superstition, but I actually wanted to change my pick.
When Obama wins the election tuesday, obviously this will all be moot, either the 'Skins myth will be elevated of lowered. In the meantime, I found it to be another of the odd coincidences that people like to apply a bit of mysticism to.
As we head out to the polls, I believe it is important to remember that McCain/Palin is against teaching children to protect themselves from sexual predadation.