The presidential debates are here again, as are the baseball playoffs and the National Football League (NFL) season. That got me thinking about the intersection of sports and politics. Presidential candidates try to tailor their message to as wide a cross-section of Americans as possible. Americans love sports. So what if, at the debates upcoming, we ask President Obama and Mitt Romney to discuss sports topics instead of political ones? They never seem to enjoy answering the political questions posed to them during presidential debates anyway, and so far we’ve heard more evasion and attack than substantive answers. So what if we appeal to the “All-American Guy” in these two men? By carefully crafting the following 10 questions addressing sports issues, I bet we can trick them into telling us what they believe about more important things.
1) Who do you blame for the ongoing NHL lockout?
The candidates’ answers to this question might reveal their true feelings about the role of organized labor and corporate greed in America.
2) What do you think about union-busting Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s recent support of unionized NFL referees?
This question accomplishes two things at once: It again compels the candidates to discuss unions but also political hypocrisy.
3) Should billionaire sports owners ask taxpayers to fund the construction of sports facilities?
What I’m really asking here is whether subsidizing private enterprise is an appropriate use of public funds in a free market economy.
4) Do you think salary caps in major American sports are a good idea?
In other words, is it appropriate to regulate the free market? They talked about Wall Street regulation in the first presidential debate, but answering my question might make their positions more clear.
5) 28.4% of the players on the 2012 opening day rosters in Major League Baseball (MLB) were foreign-born, the third highest of all time. Do you think this increased globalization of an American institution is a good idea?
Let’s see if we can pin the candidates down on their immigration views. It’s always a touchy subject when approached head on so perhaps this more indirect approach will yield better answers.
6) Should Congress strip MLB of its anti-trust exemption?
I know it’s millionaires vs. billionaires whenever we discuss baseball union issues, but the answers Obama and Romney give here might show how they really feel about the rich and powerful exerting control over the lives of common people.
7) How do you feel about the expanded playoffs in MLB?
If they approve, it could suggest that they like the idea of extending opportunity for success to more teams. If they disapprove, it could signal a desire to only allow that opportunity to the elite.
8) What’s your view about expanded use of instant replay in sports?
In other words, is it more important to have heavy-handed law and order in society or are we better off working together to make sure we get it right? This could apply to any number of real life issues, including the death penalty.
9) According to the rules of golf published by the United States Golf Association (USGA), players are largely responsible for policing their own adherence to the rules while playing. Do you think that kind of honor system demonstrates a lack of USGA oversight?
Hopefully this question gets at the heart of one of the main differences between the two political parties: the extent of government regulation that is necessary and appropriate, especially regarding the economy.
10) How do you think we should treat the records and accomplishments the players achieved during the steroids era of MLB?
This is a tricky question because it is so open-ended, but my hope would be to determine the level of nuance the candidates are capable of in discussing guilt and innocence. Will they be specific that only those proven guilty should be shamed or will they use broader strokes?
Sources:
“ NHL Lockout in 2012? A Look at the Issues. ” — About.com
” Scott Walker tweets support of unionized NFL refs ” — Yahoo! News
” Presidential Debate 2012 on Regulation: Wall Street Reform ” — ABC News via YouTube
” Opening Day rosters feature 243 players born outside of the U.S. ” — MLB.com
” Baseball’s Con Game ” — Slate Magazine
” Rules and Decisions ” — USGA.org
