The foorball fates have spoken, Kerry supporters rejoice

[Colleen Thomas]

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) -- John Kerry supporters have a welcome omen for their candidate: The Green Bay Packers defeated the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

If history holds, the 28-14 result portends a victory for Kerry on Tuesday because the result of the Redskins' final home game before the presidential election has always accurately predicted the White House winner. If the Redskins win, the incumbent party wins. If they lose, the incumbent party is ousted.

``Oh, yeah, he's going to win. It's guaranteed,'' said Packers safety Darren Sharper, a Kerry supporter. ``I don't have to vote now. Don't even have to go to the polls. Saved me a trip on Tuesday.''

The streak began in 1933, when the Boston Braves were renamed the Redskins. Since then, beginning with Franklin Roosevelt's re-election in 1936, the trend has held, including a 2000 Redskins loss to the Tennessee Titans that predicted George W. Bush's win over Al Gore.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Pardon my spelling

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

I keep waiting for the part that says it's from The Onion, but alas none came.

Sigh, these past four years have rendered satire useless.

 

[Edward Teach]

I keep waiting for the part that says it's from The Onion, but alas none came.

Sigh, these past four years have rendered satire useless.

It's so damn true that it's almost satire itself, LC.


Ed

 

[carsonshepherd]

``Oh, yeah, he's going to win. It's guaranteed,'' said Packers safety Darren Sharper, a Kerry supporter. ``I don't have to vote now. Don't even have to go to the polls. Saved me a trip on Tuesday.''

Hey, there we go! Brilliant!

Instead of voting, let's just go by omens!

 

[Edward Teach]

Olympus is rumbling, Colly. The football gods are really active. Gerogia, UNC, Washington!

You didn't answer me about whether you have room in your fall out shelter, by the way



Ed

 

[carsonshepherd]

I keep waiting for the part that says it's from The Onion, but alas none came.

Sigh, these past four years have rendered satire useless.

Sometimes I get a very surreal sense when I look at actual headlines and realize they're not in the Onion.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Olympus is rumbling, Colly. The football gods are really active. Gerogia, UNC, Washington!

You didn't answer me about whether you have room in your fall out shelter, by the way



Ed

LOL,

All I have is the basement. If you care to fight neurotic putty cats and the occasional river rat, make yourself at home

 

[Boxlicker101]

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) -- John Kerry supporters have a welcome omen for their candidate: The Green Bay Packers defeated the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

If history holds, the 28-14 result portends a victory for Kerry on Tuesday because the result of the Redskins' final home game before the presidential election has always accurately predicted the White House winner. If the Redskins win, the incumbent party wins. If they lose, the incumbent party is ousted.

``Oh, yeah, he's going to win. It's guaranteed,'' said Packers safety Darren Sharper, a Kerry supporter. ``I don't have to vote now. Don't even have to go to the polls. Saved me a trip on Tuesday.''

The streak began in 1933, when the Boston Braves were renamed the Redskins. Since then, beginning with Franklin Roosevelt's re-election in 1936, the trend has held, including a 2000 Redskins loss to the Tennessee Titans that predicted George W. Bush's win over Al Gore.

Was 1952 an exception? That year, the incumbent was not running nor was his V. P. In every other election, going back to 1932, either an incumbent was running for re-election or his Veep was nominated and ran.

 

[Vincent E]

Well, since the Red Sox won the World Series the Patriots have seen their unbeaten streak end, so maybe the good fortune for Boston area competitors has run out for this week. Fingers crossed.

Now I am not going to wander into politics on this thread. I have promised myself that much, but I am going to say this: for all of you who think that Kerry is going to be some kind of savior to the nation please assume the crash landing position. This man has been my Senator for the last 20 years, and I cannot think of a fucking thing that he has ever accomplished. If all you want is "anybody but Bush," anybody is just whom you will recieve should Kerry win.

Now, one last note. The Red Sox broke their supposed curse that dates back to 1918, so I would not put too much faith in omens that merely come from the 1930s.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Re: Re: The foorball fates have spoken, Kerry supporters rejoice

Was 1952 an exception? That year, the incumbent was not running nor was his V. P. In every other election, going back to 1932, either an incumbent was running for re-election or his Veep was nominated and ran.

My understanding box is that it applies to the incumbant party, not dependant on President re running or Veep running after a two term guy.

-Colly

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I was getting worried when the 'Skins scored late in the game. But the TD was called back and Al Harris intercepted a pass on the next play and the Packers scored a couple plays later.

However, as comforting as that outcome is, the newest results at Electorial-Vote make me feel even better. They compile dozens of polls, both state and national. Today, for the first time since I've been checking, Kerry projects ahead of Bush and the trend seems to be in his direction. But check it out for yourself.

Electorial-Vote.com

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Boxlicker101]

I don't think Kerry actually has that many supporters. I believe there are a lot of people who will, as I expect to do, punch the chad next to Kerry's name but it is much more a vote against Bush than a vote for Kerry. Hopefully, Kerry will win and will have advisors who will steer him correctly. I have to think that he would not be as bad as Bush has been.

If we could vote "None of the above" I think that would be the winner.

 

[Seattle Zack]

Actually, here's the history of the Redskins' home games preceding the election in presidential election years:

(And before the politically correct nutzos that perpetuate this board start decrying the name "Redskins," read a little history. In 1933, the Boston Braves team was changed to the Redskins to honor their coach, Lone Star Dietz (1933-1934). He was a supposed native American (later research has cast some doubt upon this claim) who often wore an eagle feather headdress, beaded deerskin jacket and moccasins. Dietz recruited at least four Indian (er, native American) players from the Haskell Indian School in Kansas, where he had coached for four years. One could argue that "Redskins" is no less offensive than "Braves," but Lone Star liked the name and it stuck.)

George Preston Marshall founded the Redskins franchise in 1932 as the Boston Braves, sharing Braves Field with the Boston Braves baseball team. A year later, Marshall moved his team to Fenway Park and changed the team’s name to the Redskins. The Redskins were not profitable, and even an Eastern Division championship in 1936 was not enough, so in 1937 Marshall moved the club to Washington, D.C.

****

On 30 October 2000 the Washington Redskins lost a Monday night game at home to the Tennessee Titans, 27-21, presaging a loss for the incumbent Democratic party. Since President Bill Clinton had already been elected to the constitutionally-mandated maximum of two terms in office, the 7 November 2000 presidential election pitted Democratic Vice-President Al Gore against Republican Governor George W. Bush of Texas. In the closest (and most controversial) presidential election since 1876, Governor Bush gained the White House by the slim margin of five electoral votes, thereby fulfilling the Redskin prophecy.

On 27 October 1996 the Washington Redskins defeated the Indianapolis Colts at home, 31-16, predicting a win for the incumbent Democrats. Sure enough, in the 5 November 1996 general election, Democratic President Bill "Bubba" Clinton won re-election over his Republican challenger, Senator Bob Dole of Kansas.

On 1 November 1992 the Washington Redskins lost to the New York Giants at home, 24-7, predicting a similar loss for the incumbent Republicans. As expected, in the 3 November 1992, Republican President George H. W. Bush lost his re-election bid to Governor Bill "Bubba" Clinton of Arkansas.

On 6 November 1988 the Washington Redskins edged the New Orleans Saints at home, 27-24, predicting a win for the incumbent Republicans. As President Ronald Reagan had already been elected twice, the 8 November 1988 election once again matched a sitting Vice-President, Republican George H. W. Bush, against a challenger, Democratic Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts. True to form, Vice-President Bush emerged victorious.

On 5 November 1984 the Washington Redskins bested the Atlanta Falcons in a Monday night home game, 27-14, predicting a win for the incumbent Republicans. The next day, President Ronald Reagan handily defeated his Democratic challenger, former Vice-President and Senator Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota, winning re-election with an electoral vote landslide.

On 2 November 1980 the Washington Redskins were trounced at home by the Minnesota Vikings, 39-14, predicting a loss for the incumbent Democrats. As expected, on 4 November 1980 President Jimmy Carter failed in his re-election bid, losing to his Republican opponent, former California governor Ronald Reagan.

On 31 October 1976 the Washington Redskins were spooked by the Dallas Cowboys in a Halloween Day home game, losing 20-7 and predicting a loss for the incumbent Republicans. Two days later, on 2 November 1976, Democratic Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia unseated President Gerald Ford (who had been appointed Vice-President after the resignation of Spiro Agnew in 1973 and became chief executive in 1974 after President Richard Nixon also resigned).

On 22 October 1972 the Washington Redskins edged the Dallas Cowboys, 24-20, predicting a win for the incumbent Republicans. The 7 November 1972 election resulted in the electoral vote landslide re-election of President Richard Nixon over the Democratic nominee, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota.

On 27 October 1968 the Washington Redskins lost a close game to the New York Giants, 13-10, predicting a loss for the incumbent Democrats. Since President Lyndon B. Johnson had announced several months earlier that he would not seek another term as president, the 1968 election was a contest between sitting Vice-President Hubert Humphrey and a former Vice-President, Republican Richard Nixon. In a mirror of the Redskins game, the Democrats lost in a close contest (the two candidates were separated by a slim 0.6% margin in the popular vote).

On 25 October 1964 the Washington Redskins beat the Chicago Bears, 27-20, predicting a win for the incumbent Democrats. As predicted, on 3 November 1964 President Lyndon Johnson (who had ascended to the White House after the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963) won a landslide victory over Republican Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona.

On 30 October 1960 the Washington Redskins were pasted at home by the Cleveland Browns, 31-10, predicting a loss for the incumbent Republicans. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had already served two terms, so Vice-President Richard Nixon took up the Republican mantle against Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts in the 8 November 1960 presidential election. Like the Redskins, the Republicans lost; unlike the Redskins, the Republicans made the contest a very close one. (Kennedy bested Nixon by a mere 0.2% margin in the popular vote.)

On 21 October 1956 the Washington Redskins soundly defeated the Cleveland Browns at home, 20-9, predicting a win for the incumbent Republicans on 6 November 1956. And, for the second straight election, the Republicans and their standard-bearer, Dwight D. Eisenhower, prevailed over the Democratic nominee, Adlai Stevenson.

On 2 November 1952 the Washington Redskins lost a squeaker to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, 24-23, predicting a similar loss for the incumbent Democrats. President Harry S. Truman declined to run for re-election (he had already served eight years), leaving the field open for former Illinois governor Adlai Stevenson to stand against the Republican candidate, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Democrats' loss on 4 November 1952 was not nearly as close as the Redskins' had been.

On 31 October 1948, the Washington Redskins walloped the Boston Yanks at home, 59-21, predicting a win for the incumbent Democrats. Two days later, In one of the most stunning political upsets in U.S. history, President Harry S. Truman (who had assumed office in 1945 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt died shortly after beginning his fourth term) defeated his Republican challenger, Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York.

On 5 November 1944, the Washington Redskins trimmed the Cleveland Rams at home, 14-10, predicting a win for the incumbent Democrats. And win the Democrats did, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt secured an unprecedented fourth term by defeating the Republican nominee, Thomas Dewey, on 7 November 1944.

On 3 November 1940, the Washington Redskins thrashed the Pittsburgh Pirates (forebears of today's Steelers team) at home, 37-10, predicting a win for the incumbent Democrats. Likewise, Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first (and only) three-term president as he thrashed Republican challenger Wendell Willkie of New York (a former Democrat who had never held high elected office) on 5 November 1940.

Going back to 1936 puts us beyond the beginnings of the Washington Redskins, as that year the Redskins franchise was still playing in Boston. Nonetheless, their knack for foretelling the outcome of presidential elections was already in place. On 1 November 1936 the Boston Redskins downed the Chicago Cardinals at Fenway Park, 13-10, predicting a win for the incumbent Democrats. Two days later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt won re-election over Republican Governor Alf Landon of Kansas.

 

[shereads]

I hate to contradict football as a predictor of the election, but instinct tells me to trust my dog on this. Sad to say, she rescued Squeaky President Bush's Head from the back yard this past weekend and put him in the laundry room. He had been in the yard since the morning after the third debate, which I took as a sign that the dog was coming around. I'm not sure why she's softened toward him, but I suspect it's the commercial with Bush hugging the orphan. You know how emotional cocker spaniels can be.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

You know how emotional cocker spaniels can be.

Yes, they're complicated and emotional animals.

Don't worry though, the other day I saw two scruffy looking dogs sleeping under what appeared to be a homemade Kerry/Edwards sign in someone's front lawn.

 

[Guest]

Sorry to piss on any Kerry supporter's fireworks, but in recent years omens haven't meant diddly-squat. Not to us Brits, anyway. However, with us there is a crucial difference - we do see these things in reverse.

We see omens in things leading up to much more important events: The World Cup and European Championships (yep, it's football).

We were destined to win Euro 2004 because of certain events in politics and so on. Alas, it didn't happen.

Sorry Kerryites.

Lou

 

[Pure]

There are interesting polls, 'meta-analysis' and maps at

http://election.princeton.edu/

http://election.princeton.edu/#EVmap

(Kerry edge [around 300] if 'undecided' factored in, as slightly favoring Kerry)

 

[LadyJeanne]

Day before the election...I'll grasp at any straw.

Woohooo! Go Green Bay!

(and I grew up in Chicago...Bears fans hate the Packers!)

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I like the pack, have A mississippian at QB

Don't like Kerry at all. In fact I detest him. At the same time, I feel no more charitable towards Bush. Thus I was pulling for the pack

-Colly

 

[Boxlicker101]

Day before the election...I'll grasp at any straw.

Woohooo! Go Green Bay!

(and I grew up in Chicago...Bears fans hate the Packers!)

That's okay, Lady Jeanne. Packers fans hate the Bears, possibly even more. (Or, as my mother says, the Dumb Bears.)

 

[LadyJeanne]

I believe the correct term is 'da dumb Bears'

 

[Huckleman2000]

I believe the correct term is 'da dumb Bears'

I'd love to have the meat, cheese and beer concession at a Packers/Bears game.

As a Packers fan, my ill-feelings towards da Bears sort of faded during the Sweetness years, although handing the Fridge the ball at the goal line in the Super Bowl instead of Walter has forever cemented my opinion of Ditka as a complete dick. Nowadays, I just kind of feel bad for them. All those years playing without a QB! At least they play outdoors on grass...

Now, the Vikings and Cowboys... don't get me started! And Bush, too!

Go Pack (and Kerry) Go!