jockthevote.com

All Politics is Local

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:01:15 +0000

As the former House Speaker from MA Tip O’Neill taught us, all politics is local. This evening yet another reminder was presented in the form of Scott Brown, the victor in the evening’s main event - the Massachusetts special election to fill the Senate seat previously held by Ted Kennedy. Despite the early lead, history, and an 11th hour visit from the President, Martha Coakley was unable to pull out the win over the populist appeal of Brown. Perhaps local legends like Doug Flutie and Curt Schilling carry more weight in the Bay State than President Obama.

Beyond mentioning his adoration for Flutie, Brown also referenced the President’s penchant for basketball and joked that he looked forward to challenging Obama as long as he had his daughter on his team. Stay tuned for more post election analysis and additional thoughts as the impact of this result is extrapolated out to the mid-term elections and pending legislation.

Healthcare hanging in the balance?

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:22:15 +0000

Just over two hours remain until the polls close in Massachusetts where Republican Scott Brown has staged a Montana-esque comeback against the previously heavily favored Democrat Martha Coakley.

While it is too early to tell who will come out on top in this special election it is being reported that turnout has been high. Regardless of outcome of the election - and the subsequent impact on the healthcare debate - it is comforting to know that open debate and democratic values are on display as so many citizens have taken up their civic duty today in Massachusetts.

MLK Day

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:40:12 +0000

As MLK day ends it is important to take note of the meaning of the holiday and the role that civil rights has played in the history of the United States. Sports Illustrated and Golf.com offered up two columns worth reading as a part of celebrating all that Dr. King brought to us:

King understood the importance of sports

Breaking down barriers to golf

Stay tuned for more coverage on the ways in which the pursuit of sport can bring about social justice and common understanding across communities.

The Lion’s Seat

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:54:13 +0000

Things have been heating up in the Bay State as Martha Coakley (D) and Scott Brown (R) sprint toward the finish line in the special election to fill Ted Kennedy’s senate seat. The election is January 19th so if you’re in MA get out and vote and if you’re an interested observer, like President Obama, check back later today for updates.

Even former Red Sox ace Curt Schilling - who you may recall was rumored to have been interested in the seat - has entered the fray. In less than 24 hours we should know whether Coakley’s mix up/joke played a part in losing her the election or if it will be another similarity between her and sitting Senator Kerry, he of “Manny Ortiz” fame.

Back at It

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:17:36 +0000

Despite a bit of a layoff we’re back at it here at JTV. Stay tuned for all of the exciting political and athletic news as Obama’s presidential term nears its halftime and early posturing for the 2010 election cycle gets underway.

Remembering the Lion

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:37:54 +0000

As we get back into the swing of things here at JTV one of our first posts has to be devoted to the life and legacy of the Lion of the Senate, Ted Kennedy. A peerless political leader, Kennedy’s legislative accomplishments are too many and varied to list here. It can suffice to say that his dedication to public service over a period of four decades in the senate stood out as an example for many of his peers and constituents.

Beyond Kennedy’s storied political career was a background as an athlete. At Harvard he played varsity football, starting as an end in his senior athletic campaign. Among his exploits on the field was scoring the only touchdown in the Crimson’s loss to arch rival Yale in 1955. His many legislative accomplishments are also left a significant impact on the world of athletics — Title IX has led to vast increases in collegiate athletic opportunities for women. More on the Senator’s lasting legacy and passion for athletics can be found here and here.

The Senate, and American politics, lost one of its great luminaries in the loss of Senator Kennedy. His absence will certainly be felt as ongoing health care debates rage on and the people of Mass. face a difficult task in replacing their senior Senator and standard bearer of one of America’s political dynasties. R.I.P Teddy — the game goes on but will never be the same without one of the great political leaders influenced by athletic experiences.

McCain on ESPN

admin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:30:31 +0000

A couple nights ago the Republican nominee appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter. Among the topics of discussion were McCain’s interest - both at the personal and policy level - in the sport of boxing and his recent appearance at a New Hampshire NASCAR race. Perhaps the most striking comment came when discussing his runningmate. On Gov. Palin McCain referenced her experience in athletic activities and competition saying that she would certainly need those experiences over the coming weeks. We certainly agree with Senator McCain, the lessons Palin will likely draw upon her experiences in competition throughout the remainder of the campaign, and likely even more so when in office should the Republicans come out on top in November.

There’s Only One November

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:36:35 +0000

Certainly most anyone can recall the Major League Baseball commercials starring actor/comedian Dane Cook last year, repetitively announcing that there is indeed “Only One October.” The point was clear enough: once a year the pressure is on, the best teams in the league compete, and one champion is crowned. As we are currently witnessing the end of the season with several interesting races still afoot it is interesting to see how the MLB rivals the intensity of election season. And in the spirit of a previous post on the NFL it should be noted that both of Senator Obama’s hometown teams - though he claims to solidly be a Sox fan - are at the moment leading their divisions.

Athletics to Entrepreneurship

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:19:26 +0000

This article from Portfolio details the skating prowess and subsequent business activities of Tony Hawk. It is a great example of the type of value that athletic life lessons can hold in other arenas. Hawk credits the determination and instincts developed in his skating career as fundamental advantages in his rise in the world of business. Other key insights from the article with some relevance to the political realm are found in his dedication to maintain true to the identity of the skating community - there are countless examples of how politics today have become very much identity based. As such campaigns would do well to observe Hawk’s business success in attempts to appeal to specific communities like extreme sports enthusiasts or racing fans.

NASCAR Politics

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:11:23 +0000

This past weekend the Republican nominee John McCain spent some time in New Hampshire at the NASCAR track in Loudon. You may recall that earlier in the NASCAR and election seasons the Democratic nominee Senator Obama actually caused quite a stir with his campaign’s sponsorship of a car at a Pocono race. With the size and loyalty of the NASCAR fanbase it should come as no surprise that their races have become a hot-spot for political activity. President Bush aggressively courted the NASCAR faithful in the pat two elections and most accounts suggest that Republicans maintain a sizable lead among this significant crowd.