The Closing Minutes

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Thursday October 11, 2012 · 11:07 PM PDT

2012/10/11 · 23:07

I’ve heard a lot of respectable people in the political realm (such as Nate Silver and the late Jack Kemp) compare a Presidential Election to a football game – The early Primaries are the first quarter, where only a real stroke of incompetence can end a general election before it starts. The later primaries are the end of the first half, where the strategies emerge and the tone for the rest of the contest is set. Pre-convention is the third quarter, where adjustments are made (i.e. appealing to the center) and some new players (VP picks) see field time.

The fourth quarter – the conventions and final eight weeks – is now in full swing, with all of the usual endgames unfolding. There’s Reagan running up the score on Mondale in ’84, Clinton keeping a calm, focused plan through a solid ’92 win, Bush with two controversial late wins in 2K and ’04. And most recently, Obama’s record-setting ground game in ’08 controlling the pace in the final minutes.

And this one? Let’s pick up the highlights at the start of the fourth quarter, with the Blue Team ahead by 3:

Poll

22 votes Show Results

Sport that Elections are most analogous to?

22 votes Vote Now!

Sport that Elections are most analogous to?

Football

8 votes

Baseball

0 votes

Basketball

1 vote

Hockey

0 votes

Soccer

1 vote

Boxing

3 votes

MMA

2 votes

uh, Bobsled

7 votes

Racing

0 votes

A World Cup guide for College Football fans

Badgerjohn

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday June 11, 2010 · 9:27 AM PDT

2010/06/11 · 09:27

We need something to keep us from getting too suicidal from the Gulf spill, and the Cup is here for that. Besides, we can take a little revenge on England tomorrow.

The real problem for most noobs is a frame of refererce: How good are we, anyway? Why does Brazil win all the time? Shouldn't Russia, China and India be really, really good? So to help, match up the team you're curious about with the NCAA football team you know and love (or hate).

Poll

320 votes Show Results

How will our boys do in South Africa?

320 votes Vote Now!

How will our boys do in South Africa?

Out in the first round

29 votes

Second round loss, likely to Germany

163 votes

Quarterfinals, like in 2002

56 votes

Semifinals, our best finish yet

26 votes

Final. Do you STILL believe in miracles?

46 votes

Rush Limbaugh to buy St. Louis Rams

Badgerjohn

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday October 06, 2009 · 11:14 AM PDT

2009/10/06 · 11:14

According to St. Louis station KMOX and CBS Sports (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/12322129/cbsnews), noted conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh is seeking part ownership of the NFL's St. Louis Rams.

Poll

213 votes Show Results

If Rush buys the Rams, what NFL team would you most like to see anihilate them?

213 votes Vote Now!

If Rush buys the Rams, what NFL team would you most like to see anihilate them?

San Francisco - Because you know he'd hate to lose to a city with so many of..."them"

80 votes

Philadelphia - McNabb dishes out some payback.

53 votes

New England - Who he called "socialist" for being introduced as a team during Super Bowl XXXVI

21 votes

Chicago - Losing to the President's team would really hurt.

52 votes

Other - Explain in Comments.

7 votes

The Chaaaampionnnns!

Badgerjohn

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday May 27, 2009 · 9:21 AM PDT

2009/05/27 · 09:21

Not a political diary, but one very near and dear to my heart.

Today at 2:30 EDT will be the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United (ENG) and Barcelona FC (SPA) for the title of Europe's best professional soccer team.

Poll

46 votes Show Results

Who's Going to Win?

46 votes Vote Now!

Who's Going to Win?

Manchester United

18 votes

Barcelona FC

28 votes

Sarah Palin: Instant Gratification Embodied

Badgerjohn

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday May 12, 2009 · 9:16 PM PDT

2009/05/12 · 21:16

Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) is evidently working on her memoirs. Good on ya, sister: it's hell trying to get a book published.

Sadly for the Republicans, this is, as the song goes, "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast."

Aside from the obvious scorn given to her inexperience (and yes, I thought Obama's memoir was also premature, albeit plenty deep), this is another move that threatens to shove Gov. Palin away from the path of Long, Storied Political Career to 15-Minute Footnote.

Poll

146 votes Show Results

Sarah Palin...Would You...Y'know...

146 votes Vote Now!

Sarah Palin...Would You...Y'know...

Sure! She's hot and I love that accent!

13 votes

Only if I didn't have to talk to her.

34 votes

I'd need a few drinks first.

15 votes

How desperate am I?

7 votes

Not a chance.

70 votes

I'd come out of the closet.

7 votes

In Defense of Blue Dogs

Badgerjohn

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday May 12, 2009 · 11:34 AM PDT

2009/05/12 · 11:34

Dan Boren (D-OK), Heath Shuler (D-NC), Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), Jon Salazar (D-CO), Gene Talyor (D-MS), Sen. Max Bachus (D-MT), To name just a few, draw ire from many mainstream Dems. Often, that includes myself.

Poll

63 votes Show Results

Next GOPer to defect?

63 votes Vote Now!

Next GOPer to defect?

Fmr. Sec. of State Colin Powell

20 votes

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

11 votes

Sen. Olympia Snow (R-ME)

24 votes

GOP Chair Michael Steele

1 vote

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)

3 votes

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN)

1 vote

Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE)

3 votes

Other, post below

0 votes

(CO-Other)Amendment 48 Backer Passes the Buck

Badgerjohn

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday October 17, 2008 · 11:59 PM PDT

2008/10/17 · 23:59

Kristy Burton is an idealistic woman in her early 20's with a driving desire to protect the unborn.

She also has learned to stay on message and flee tough questions as well as the most seasoned partisan hack.

Poll

26 votes Show Results

Best Pro-Choice One-Liner?

26 votes Vote Now!

Best Pro-Choice One-Liner?

Keep Your Rosaries Off My Ovaries

8 votes

My Body, My Choice

10 votes

You Don't Have a Uterus; You Don't Get A Say

2 votes

If Abortion is Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Have Abortions

6 votes

How to Win The (Inevitable) "Dropping Gas Price" Argument

Badgerjohn

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday October 15, 2008 · 9:09 AM PDT

2008/10/15 · 09:09

While the market falls and 401(k) plans start to make baseball cards look like a smart retirement plan, one development that is slightly under the radar is that gas prices, along with oil prices, are dropping.

Conservatives will consider this an inspiration for all sorts of pronouncements.

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