MyDD :: Root for the Green Bay Packers Today

Root for the Green Bay Packers Today

by Sy Gold, Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:07:09 AM EST

I don't buy this, but this close to the election, every little bit helps. Go Pack!--Chris

I haven't researched this personally, but I have heard it all over the media. Going back to 1932, whenever an incumbent president has run for re-election, their fate was tied in to the Washington Redskins. When the Redskins win the incumbent has won. When the Redskins lose the incumbent loses. Today at 1 PM - Green Bay at Washington. Go Pack!!! (and it will be doubly sweet for this Giant fan who loves to see the Skins lose)

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Go PACK!!! (none / 0)

I'm a die hard Pats fan but today my favorite team is the PACK....Go Packers!!!!

by joedemocrat on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 10:33:44 AM EST

I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

...if it really did have predictive power, I would be pretty happy about that right now. Green Bay, which was widely considered to be a Super Bowl contender before the season started, had a surprisingly bad stretch where they lost 4 games in a row early this season. But they looked far better in their last two games, winning each of them comfortably with huge numbers on offense, 38 and 41 points in those two wins. The Redskins have one of the best ranked defenses in the league, but their offense is mind-numbingly bad, no more than 18 points in any game all year. The Packers' defense has been their undoing in most of their losses, but Washington's offense is so bad that it's hard to see where the Redskins can find an advantage. They've had a terrible season, and few people think they can beat the Packers today.

Anything can happen in sports, as the Red Sox just demonstrated, but we're talking about a pretty sorry bunch of underachievers in the Redskins, and a pretty confident Packer team that's plenty motivated to continue turning their season around.

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 10:50:48 AM EST

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

According to the spread, the Packers are favored to win by 1 or 2 points, depending on the bookie.

But let's not get crazy about this - coincidence does not equal causation.

by bushsucks on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:01:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Exactly, if the Redskins had lost their last pre-election home game in 1984, clearly there would not have been a 20 point shift in the electorate to Mondale. It really doesn't matter to us who wins this game. But, if I had to bet on it (and I don't bet on sports, despite following them very closely), I'd bet on the Packers to win by a lot more than 1 or 2. They're a hot team, and the Redskins are crap.

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:06:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Interesting you choose 1984, I think this election could be a repeat of that year.

by Patrick Henry on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 12:16:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Yeah your right, except in reverse. Kerry wins by such a large landslide victory, that the media narrative will be "How come no one saw this coming?"

Just like it was in 2000, when everyone expected Bush to dominate the electoral college.

by agpc on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 01:07:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Now whose wearing the rose color glasses.

by Patrick Henry on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:26:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Funny you should mention that... (none / 0)

Your boy Bush has practically had Rose Colored Lenses infused directly onto his eyeballs so as to guarantee he doesn't have to worry about Iraq, the Economy (still think its "strong and getting stronger?"), Jobs, Health Care, the stock market, Osama Bin Laden (dead or alive?), amnesty for illegal aliens, social security, and any other domestic issue you choose to insert.

I mean your boy is such a loser that he is the only president to lose jobs for 75 years. You think he will actually win this election? Hogwash.

But if you so desire, put your money where your mouth is. I bet you $1,000 that Bush is loses. Wan't to take that bet?

Nah, didn't think so.

by agpc on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 05:48:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Funny you should mention that... (none / 0)

This is like betting on a Vikings game with a Vikings fan. How should we arrange the deal? Can I be assured you will pay if Kerry loses?

On to the issues: the economy argument is stale and inaccurate. If you look at this economy compared to the Clinton economy going in to his reelection the unemployment rate is the same, growth is higher now than then. It is so laughable that you insist on saying we have a horrible economy. Give me a break.

Iraq - Small setbacks seem to make excite the liberal base but overall the Iraq reconstruction is moving along well. War is never perfect and John Kerry wont stop all attacks on Iraqis volunteering for National Guard etc. I think your expectations are set higher than the average American.

Health Care - What about health care? Some people don't have it, insurance rates are high. What is your complaint now? As Bush said a litany of complaints is not a plan. Bring your numbers into perspective by comparing them to history. I personally am for expanding Medical Savings Accounts to bring competition back to the industry.

Stock Market - The Nasdaq sits at about 1,974.99 that is still higher than anything before 1999. It went though a correction no doubt in late 1999, but that was part of the recession. It has been on the climb since late in 02. I may be missing your argument though.

Amnesty for illegal aliens - Should there be or not? I do not believe amnesty is what the president is advocating.

Social Security - Yea I won't ever see it if things remain how they are. I support the President's plan to allow me to put some of my social security in to the private market to gain interest.

Anything else you wish to discuss?

by Patrick Henry on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 07:55:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

only the most deluded partisan hack could suggest that Bush is as popular as Reagan and that Kerry is as weak as Mondale.

by johnny longtorso on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 03:59:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Democrats have no memory. The liberals in this country and especially in Europe where protesting heavily against Reagan. They called him arrogant, stupid, a cowboy, a Hawk, a fumbling fool, you name it. In 1984 it was obvious that Reagan had the country behind him, but not if you listened to the far left in this country and the world. Just as today with Bush. We will find out on Tuesday. I will bring the crow, one of us will be eating alot of it.

by Patrick Henry on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 08:00:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Democrats have no memory? you seem to forget that Reagan's average approval rating in 1984 was 57. what's Bush foundering at, the mid-40s? how exactly do you equate those anemic numbers with "having the country behind him"?

it's not just "the far left" that wants Bush out of office. if it were, he would be going above 50 in the polls. you are either delusional, in denial, or both, to think otherwise. and if it were, you'd have facts to back that up, not just the same old ad hominem "liberal""far left""Europe" rhetoric.

by johnny longtorso on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 09:26:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Bush job approval has been fluttering aroung 50 not low 40's.

by Patrick Henry on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 10:54:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Still waiting for your wager. Of course, although you talk big, you are smart enough to realize that neither candidate will win that kind of EV margin.

by yitbos96bb on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:10:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't put any stock in this at all, but... (none / 0)

Duh.... do you think so? Hmmm.... so you seem to think this is a coincidence? Of course it is, Bush-breath.

by GoPackers on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:52:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Last Redskin home game and the Election (none / 0)

Since 1936, when the Skins win their last home game before the election, the party in the White House stays in the White House. When they lose, there's a switch.

Here's a link:
http://www.snopes.com/sports/football/election.asp

by bushsucks on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 10:53:43 AM EST

Redskins Story is True (none / 0)

I'm a die hard 'Skins fan, but I wouldn't worry too much today. The Pack's been throwin' the ball around pretty well the last 2 weeks, and the Redskins have their two starting safeties out for the game, one injured and one just got a dui & is suspended.

I'll be at the game, probably rooting for the Redksins 'cuz it's just a coincidence (I hope) but....

by RecoveringRepublican on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:12:10 AM EST

obviously my rational mind says there's no link (none / 0)

but all the same it'd be a nice omen if they were to lose...

by asf6 on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:15:38 AM EST

Go Pack Go! (none / 0)

Die hard skins fan here (Centreville, Va). Everyone in my office is a big skins fan.

Today, it's all Green & Gold.

Go pack go!

by jbryant0007 on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:20:04 AM EST

My sympathy to Skins fans (none / 0)

I'm a 38 year Packer Backer and you better believe I'll be rooting today like never before! Living in Jax, FL I'm also a Jaguar fan and familiar with Brunell. As long as Favre is on his game Mark will melt like the wicked witch on Oz. Sorry Redskins 'cause otherwise I like you guys and who couldn't love watching the return of the great Joe Gibbs.

by JaxDem on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:32:06 AM EST

Re: My sympathy to Skins fans (none / 0)

Go Ahman Green!!! Favre is not quite the player he is; Green's your workhorse. Luckily, the Skins Run Defense is not as good as their pass defense who will be missing Taylor I believe.

by yitbos96bb on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:52:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

against the tide (none / 0)

I will be rooting for the Redskins anyway. This is a year for all these olds myths to die anyway.

by Jerome Armstrong on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:38:06 AM EST

Re: against the tide (none / 0)

I agree. 2004, we're changing the rules, every precedent (except for the incumbent rule!) out the window. Red Sox wins the pennant, and Democrats outclass Rethugs in every bit of the political game.

by aruac on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:53:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: against the tide (none / 0)

Ah well, I guess the Packers want to continue the tradition.

by Jerome Armstrong on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:22:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Try being a Bears fan (none / 0)

For the first time ever, I am cheering for Green Bay. Luckily, I know several Bears fan doing the same. It is hard for us, but a GB win is better than a Bush one.

by yitbos96bb on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 11:48:39 AM EST

I already (none / 0)

put some cash on the packers this morning. Technically it's not the incumbent that wins or loses depending on how the Skins do the prior sunday to the election, it's the incumbent PARTY, e.g. in 1988 neither bush1 or dukakis was an incumbent, but the redskins won the sunday before so bush1 (incumbent party) won. go pack, but even if redskins win, kerry wins tuesday 311-228 at the least, 385-153 if their truly is a gale force at his back. The 311 is all Gore states won again plus new hampshire, ohio, and florida. but if there truly is a surge for kerry going on right now he could pull in nevada, arizona, colorado, missouri, arkansas, north carolina, virginia, and west virginia. let's dream.

by fred on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 12:25:29 PM EST

What did I tell you about the spread? (none / 0)

6:28 left to go in the 2nd quarter, Packers lead 17-0. The Redskins have not scored more than 18 points in any GAME all season. This is a flat-out ass-kicking.

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:03:35 PM EST

Redskins won't lose (none / 0)

until the Red Sox win the World Series...

by yettrab on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:09:13 PM EST

I hate the Packers (none / 0)

But I'm happy they're up 17-0 in the second quarter.

by DraconisRex on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:10:26 PM EST

BTW... (none / 0)

I don't believe in any of that stuff... But I know the superstitious do... So, if the Pack wins... Hey, if it's only one-half percent, it's better than the Redskins and one-half percent the other way...

by DraconisRex on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:13:41 PM EST

OK, Now you're asking a lot of me! (none / 0)

The Pack? Root for the Pack? If I do that I'll have to turn in my Bears jearsey.

Geez, this politics stuff is killing me. First I find myself more interested in C-Span than the Bears lately. Then I find myself focusing on the polls in WI more than the Bears game plans. Now I'm rooting for the Packers for Democracy!!!???

Damn I can't wait for Wednesday so the world can go back to being normal and I can again focus on my poor pathetic Bears.

go pack.

Rick 'em
Rack' em

Rick 'em
Ruck 'em

Get that ball and really
FIGHT!

(i feel so dirty)

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:17:13 PM EST

Re: OK, Now you're asking a lot of me! (none / 0)

You gotta take one for the team, Michael. Time to suck it up. :)

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:18:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OK, Now you're asking a lot of me! (none / 0)

I feel your pain. At least the tradition doesn't involve rooting against the Bears.

by yitbos96bb on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:12:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

17-7 GB at halftime (none / 0)

Two stupid Packer turnovers cost them at the end of the half, they should be up at least 24-0. Redskins defense, after giving up a league-best 230-240 yards per game so far this season, has already given up 234 yards to Favre on 14 of 18 passing. Washington offense is as lousy as ever: dropped passes, shaky QB protection, careless penalties, utterly shambolic clock management. I don't think this one's going to be close.

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 02:35:06 PM EST

Re: 17-7 GB at halftime (none / 0)

Another stupid interception pass, 20-14 with 5 minutes left!

by Jerome Armstrong on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 03:57:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 17-7 GB at halftime (none / 0)

And now yet another pick. This is pathetic. The Redskins actually have a chance.

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:00:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wow, what a dramatic turnaround just now... (none / 0)

Redskins looked like they had scored to go ahead, but their TD was called back on a (questionable) penalty. Then GB intercepted a pass on the next play!

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:07:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

olbermann had this last week (none / 0)

See

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

(scroll down, I think)

by newmanme on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 03:58:16 PM EST

Favre must be a Republican (none / 0)

3 Interceptions.
Favre looks like he's throwing the game.

2 mintues to play.

by davidscott on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:07:04 PM EST

Re: Favre must be a Republican (none / 0)

Well, things are looking a lot better now than they were about 120 seconds ago.

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:08:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Favre must be a Republican (none / 0)

Packer defense comes up BIG!

Brunell intercepted!

by davidscott on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:11:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Favre must be a Republican (none / 0)

From what I'm told, Favre has a reputation for throwing interceptions.

Going into this game, my dad (huge Packers fan) told me that it was going to come down to Washington's offense vs. Green Bay's defense, which could possibly suck more. As for the other way around, don't expect to see it much as Favre doesn't like holding onto the ball for more than a couple downs or so.

Nice to see that it looks like we'll win even if that turned out to be essentially correct.

by Kjorteo on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:13:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Favre must be a Republican (none / 0)

Yes, Favre does throw lots of picks, it was always his biggest weakness (though he's an obvious first ballot Hall of Famer when he retires). Even a team with a dreadful offense like Washington can stay competitive when the other team keeps turning the ball over.

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:17:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

packers will win (none / 0)

packer interception they have the ball on wash 20 with 2 minutes left

by markgolf630 on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:08:27 PM EST

Scary Omen (none / 0)

Wow. Is this how the election is going to go? Washington looks like they will win it only to have the TD called back on a conroversial motion penalty. Then the very next play Green Bay intercepts and looks like they will run out the game.

God I hope Tuesday night is not like this game. I couldn't take it. Will Bush look like he will win it, only to have Kerry take the nod on some controversial state poll numbers?

Karma is a bitch if this happens.

(I can't believe I rooting for the Packers like this!)

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:12:38 PM EST

Re: Scary Omen (none / 0)

I wasn't aware of any part of the superstition that ties the result of the game to the result of the election other than who wins. IE, I don't think a scarily close victory on one field is necessarily supposed to translate to a scarily close victory on the other. I think it's just that if all is said and done and the smoke clears and one team is ultimately on top, so is their candidate.

by Kjorteo on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:16:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

28-14 Packers (3.00 / 3)

They score again, looks like this one's in the bag. It's a clear illustration of how there is one stat that's probably more important than any other in the NFL: turnovers. GB should have been up by 3 or 4 TDs for the entire 2nd half, what with the Redskins' abysmal offense, but they're gonna escape because of a lucky break.

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:16:23 PM EST

It's a final: Packers win 28-14 (3.00 / 1)

So chalk this up as an (obviously irrelevant) indication that Kerry will win on Tuesday!

by Haggai on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:22:01 PM EST

Re: It's a final: Packers win 28-14 (none / 0)

Hey, I'll take it. Especially because now either Kerry wins or an over-eighty-year-old tradition dies. Either way, something big happens. I'll much prefer the former, of course, but...you know.

by Kjorteo on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:23:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's a final: Packers win 28-14 (none / 0)

Fox News broke in to their programming to annonce the victory and its predictive implication. (Hey, gotta watch Fox when you can bear it. Keep an eye on the other side)

This gave them something other to report than the "margin of error" tutorial they ran every time they showed their poll where Bush had lost so many points in their polls this week. And the race tied.

They were even explaining how it was really six points either way in the MOE not 3.

They would show the RealClearPolitics.com poll first--with URL--then give the MOE lesson, then show theirs.

Needless to say up until yesterday it was "Bush ahead", no MOE advised.

by MazeDancer on Mon Nov 01, 2004 at 08:48:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Green Bay wins (none / 0)

This should be widely reported so that Bush voters know that they don't have to go to the polls on Tuesday.
Plus, it must be true: late in the game, (after showing a bad Viking game for most of the day), my Fox/Sinclair station finally went to the GB game, only to immediately cut away. "NFL Rules" the announcer said . . .

by marvin on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:29:17 PM EST

As someone living IN Green Bay, (none / 0)

I would have to say that Scalia was correct in ruling the Skins' TD null and void and that the ruling would not apply to any other games....

Al Harris for Sec. of Defense!

by Tundraman on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 04:35:39 PM EST

2-1 EV ratio (none / 0)

28-14 Pack = 359-179 Kerry

That happens when Kerry wins all of the swing states, including AR, VA & WV, but not including MO & NC. Actually, not an entirely unlikely outcome. This is my new prediction ;)

Landslide. Mandate.

Fox News broke into interview on polling problems to report:

Graphic: "Redskins just lost... Kerry wins??"

Announcer: "...does not bode well for the administration."

haha

by scottmaui on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 05:54:44 PM EST

UK Bookies (none / 0)

MSNBC reported that the bookies in the UK may adjust their odds based on the outcome of this game. We may doubt the relevance of this, but when oddsmakers take it into account, they are at least realizing that there are some real consequences in the narrative and the morale or phychological effect it creates.

by scottmaui on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 05:58:33 PM EST

An unremarked football open (none / 0)

Navy (Lt. Kerry) beat Air Force (ANG LT Bush) earlier this season...in Colorado Springs, home of the Religious Right, West.

And I enjoy seeing the Skins lose, omen or no omen.

by Ragamuffin Gunner on Sun Oct 31, 2004 at 06:18:19 PM EST

Re: An unremarked football open (none / 0)

And the Boston Red Sox won, too.