All politicians are sports fans in November

As a politics and sports junkie, nothing entertains me more than when the two hobbies overlap. A sport synonymous with America, baseball, has increasingly evolved from a pastime into a vehicle for political gain. In the media age, sports has entered the limelight as a factor in enhancing a politician’s popularity. Nobody can contest the legitimacy of a politician’s love for a team—or can they? With November’s midterm elections right around the corner, we should do our best not to succumb to political manipulation, even when it appeals to our love of sports.

Let’s start with the obvious: President Obama. As students of our president’s alma mater, many of us know he is a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan, much as I am. He can often be seen sporting White Sox paraphernalia, and he has been an outspoken supporter of the team. Personal beliefs aside, from the time Mr. Obama served as my senator until his election to the White House, I was proud of our shared love for the White Sox.

However, when asked, “Who was one of your favorite White Sox players growing up?” Obama dodged the question, responding, “You know, uh, I thought that, uh, you know, the truth is that a lot of the Cubs I like, too.” He then proceeded to butcher the formerly-named Comiskey Park, the long-time legendary home of my beloved White Sox, by calling it “Cominskey.” To say I was disappointed is an understatement.

Despite this uncharacteristic flub, President Obama—who still plays golf and basketball regularly—is just one of many politicians who projects an image of being an avid sports fan. As such, he is one of many whose love for a team has been cynically accused of existing only to obtain a political edge.

Former New York mayor and 2008 presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani can commonly be found sitting in his prime seats at Yankee Stadium. But Giuliani, who was deemed “America’s Mayor” by Oprah Winfrey at Yankee Stadium following Sept. 11, has wavered on his Yankees exclusivity. While on the campaign trail in Boston and New Hampshire in 2007, the self-appointed “Yankee Fan-in-Chief” revealed that he would root for the Yankees’ oldest rivals, the Boston Red Sox, in the World Series. Giuliani defended his decision, stating that he favored the Red Sox over the Colorado Rockies due to his allegiance to the American League.

Exhibit C: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Mrs. Clinton’s baseball loyalty has long been a matter of media debate. As a native of Illinois, she grew up a Cubs fan, only to become a rabid Yankees supporter after moving to New York and running for the Senate. Even Chris Matthews of MSNBC’s “Hardball” asserted that then-Senator Clinton “went to the Yankees so that she could run for senator from New York. It’s so obvious.” While Obama, Giuliani, and Clinton are three examples of questionable sports fandom, they are just a few of many politicians—both Republicans and Democrats—who have endured such scrutiny.

So, what have we learned? No, I’m not trying to convince you that all politicians who claim to be sports fans are not. However, it is apparent that some see sports as just another sector for political games. Whether they back a certain team to gain votes or to garner popularity in the polls, some elected officials and candidates see substantial value in being a fan of one team or another.

But are they right? Absolutely. Due to the ubiquitous zealousness of sports fans in America, politics and sports cannot be separated. Surely, few people would admit to picking a candidate based on what team logo he or she decides to wear. But, subconsciously, it only enhances voters’ general attitude toward the politician. The mere act of sitting at a baseball game can radiate the perception of Joe Everyman to the American public. Mutual passion for a sports team is an unmistakable connection between a constituent and a politician.

On the other hand, such political strategy can occasionally backfire. If public support of a team is a conscious political tactic in the cases of Obama, Giuliani, and Clinton, they have all suffered criticism as a result. While politicians will always please some fans, they are automatically piquing the competitive juices of others.

With the midterm elections approaching—which, for some underclassmen, will be their first time casting a ballot—it is important that we as voters take everything into consideration when choosing a candidate. While sports allegiances are just one of many tools employed by politicians to amass support, it is one of which we should remain cognizant. Get your scorecards and get to the polls this fall.

Michael Shapiro is a List College junior majoring in history and modern Jewish studies.