by James Oliphant
We know. We know. The president probably has better things to do than fill out a NCAA tournament bracket.
But then, you probably do, too. And heck, that AIG bonus money isn't coming back any faster, regardless of whether the chief executive takes the time to pick some winners.
(We are awaiting our first e-attack from a Republican member of Congress. "While the president fiddles, the economy burns. . . . ")
Obama has filled out his bracket for ESPN's cameras, spelling out his choices on a whiteboard in professorial style. And, frankly, impressively defending his choices.
We at the Swamp, however, cynics that we are, wonder more what the picks say about the new president's leadership style.
Our first observation: There are very few surprises. Obama is not a risk-taker. The Cinderella candidate has chosen no Cinderella teams. In fact, in just five games, Obama picked a lower-seeded team to win. And four of those games are either 8-9 matchups in the first round, or 4-5 games in the second.
His two reaches: 11-seeded Virginia Commonwealth over UCLA and 11th-seeded Temple over Arizona State.
We see that as another shameless attempt by Democrats to woo Virginians, as well as a play for Pennsylvania, that perpetual battleground state.
Obama shows no love for Arizona State or Arizona. And we don't believe him when he says antipathy for John McCain had nothing to do with it. We're pretty sure if the University of Alaska had a team in the tourney, Obama would knock them out in the first round, as well. And perhaps pull back the stimulus money for the state to boot.
His Final Four, in fact, is classic Obama. Three No. 1 seeds and a No. 2--in other words--conventional thinking with that little added twist of innovation. But come on, Mr. President, you couldn't throw in a lower seed? It's not on the level of nationalizing banks or allowing everyone to renegotiate their mortgages. Take a risk, man! You'll talk to Ahmadinejad but you won't go with Wake over Louisville?
In his defense, his championship pick, North Carolina, is a bit of a stretch, since the health of its star player, Ty Lawson, is uncertain. Obama may have to dispatch Rahm Emanuel to Detroit to make sure his choice is implemented, Tonya Harding-style.
Or is UNC just another naked political ploy, with the president trying to keep North Carolina blue in more ways than one?
Comments
I have a different interpretation of Obama's thinking. He values teamwork over talent and fundamentals over hype. Furthermore I agree with him about Temple.
The president is expressing an opinion about something he is knowledgeable. What is your expertise on basketball, James?
Posted by: Ron M | March 18, 2009 1:14 PM
I'm actually not curious because I know the embarrassment that is the Chicago Obune would never cover it, but rather write about your Messiah's NCAA bracket, how about reporting and questioning why Obama knew about the AIG bonuses last Thursday but said nothing until Monday when the uproar began? Also, why is it that Obama's "anger" over the bonuses had to be read off a TelePrompTer rather his own remarks?
Posted by: John D | March 18, 2009 1:39 PM
Boy it would be nice if Boehner could explain a Republican plan for the economy as well as Obama can explain his b-ball picks. If not Boehner, how's about Sarah or Jindle explaining the Republican position.
I* can see it now. Half of the brackets would contain some form of "tax break" while most of the other brackets would be filled with stimulative goals, such as education, health, jobs, and balancing the budget, eventually.
With sweet Sarah, and Kenny Jindhle doing the picking, anyone doubt that the "final four" would contain 4 "tax breaks" finalists, with all practical objectives losing in the first or second round?
Posted by: barkleyg | March 18, 2009 3:14 PM
"why is it that Obama's "anger" over the bonuses had to be read off a TelePrompTer rather his own remarks?
Posted by: John D | March 18, 2009 1:39 PM
Ahhh, it look like John D. longs for days past when GWB could say things like this, and not realize he used the wrong words, which make his statements sound as if they were written by a 5 year old, just like his handlers explained things to him during his stay at the White House.
""I'm going to put people in my place, so when the history of this administration is written at least there's an authoritarian voice saying exactly what happened," - George W. Bush on his plans for his memoir."
Can you figure out the wrong word John? I know I would sure be proud to defend a person who don't know authoritarian from authorative.
Kinda like WMD's, huh?
Posted by: barkleyg | March 18, 2009 3:41 PM
Perhaps Obama should be a little more concerned about getting the Treasury Dept. staffed so Turbo Tax Timmy could have someone to answer the phone. What a loser.
Posted by: vla | March 18, 2009 4:53 PM
It's one thing for Obama to list his picks -- he's a big b-ball fan, so that's fine.
But this idiocy? ESPN and fancy brackets and expalining his picks? Good God above. If he spent as much time on the economic crisis, maybe he could have seen the AIG bonus outrage coming. (Because, let's face it, until people were hacked off, those bonuses were no big deal to him.)
Posted by: Liz | March 18, 2009 5:57 PM
I'm wondering if Obama read his picks off the TelePrompTer?
Posted by: John D | March 18, 2009 6:20 PM
This will come as a shock to the "Jammin' With Barack" crowd, but there's someone who knows a lot more about basketball than Obama and he has some advice for him: "Somebody said that we're not in President Obama's Final Four, and as much as I respect what he's doing, really, the economy is something that he should focus on, probably more than the brackets," Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski told a reporter from the Associated Press on Wednesday. It's nice to hear a voice of responsibility, coach, you've always beena class act. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/18/coack-k-disses-obamas-basketball-picks/
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2009 12:57 AM