What Obama Can Learn From Sports

What Obama Can Learn From Sports

11-3-10

(Blogging from the road in Tennessee, somewhere between Nashville and Knoxville)

Crossville (TN) –The landslide that was Tuesday’s election gives us a moment to catch our breath, then turn both forward and backward to reflect on the most recent Obama Drama.

In looking backward, we can still see Barack Obama, his Superman “S” clearly visible from his blue-like-jazz necktie.  The Barack Obama of 2008 was the student body president and homecoming queen rolled into one.  Popular, Poetic, and Pretty.   

Back then, the Student Body President was someone who was worthy of our admiration and optimism.  Perhaps not worthy to lead us into war or through a major financial crisis; but just because you haven’t done something before doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

All of which got me thinking.  Barack Obama could learn a thing or two from the sports world.

Sports Analogy No.1 about the Obama Experiment.  Obama in 2008 was like Buster Posey in this year’s World Series.   Posey – the fresh-faced, 23-year old catcher of the now-World Series champ San Francisco Giants – was unaware that rookie catchers don’t hit homeruns, gun down base runners, and lead their team to World Championships.  Whispers of Yogi Berra and Johnny Bench followed him into the post-season, and Posey didn’t disappoint.

Just because you haven’t done something before, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. 

Barack Obama entered 2009 as one of the most heralded political saviors of our time.  He didn’t know that 40-something, African Americans with nary a full US Senate term aren’t supposed to be President of the United States.   Whispers of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King followed him into a convincing Presidential landslide in 2008.

Just because you haven’t done something before, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. 

Or does it?  Looking back, it’s hard to know if Obama was a new solar system or just another shooting star. 

Sports Analogy No. 2.  Not everyone can handle the stage.  It’s 1998 and there’s a tale of two quarterbacks.  Peyton Manning was the cerebral, legacy son-of-an-NFL-quarterback from University of Tennessee.  Ryan Leaf was a rock-star, missile throwing quarterback from Washington State University who could sling the ball from end zone to end zone.  After much due diligence, the experts determined that their talent was virtually equal.  Manning became the No. 1 overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts, while Leaf was taken second by the San Diego Chargers. 

Twelve years later, Manning is a first ballot Hall of Famer, with numerous records and a Super Bowl ring.  Ryan Leaf is the answer to the trivia question, “Who was the biggest quarterback bust in the history of the NFL?”

With Obama, the jury has deliberated for two years, and just got a 60-day recess to see if he is our generations political Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf.   All of which brings us to the look forward.

There is no dishonor in inexperience.   Just because you haven’t done something before, doesn’t mean you can’t do it.  And just because you fail once, or even twice, doesn’t mean you can’t bounce back.   But this much we know after Tuesday’s Republican tsunami.  Barack Obama is failing, and his ability to recognize this going forward is now the most important issue.

Obama has apparently stated that securing a second term is of little consequence to him.  This might be admirable, if it weren’t so shocking.  Also, I don’t believe it for one minute.

Obama’s confession to Harry Reid in 2006 that he “had a gift” is telling.  Such prescience is not accompanied without great ego.  Obama applied his “gift” to the Presidency, not to a mayoral run or another term in the Senate. Such lust is not satisfied at the age of 49 after a single term.  Sports Analogy No. 3.  Consider Brett Favre, the old, gun-slinging quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings who has thrice wept and retired, only to return to feed the appetite of the alpha male ego.   Barack Obama is Brett Favre lying in wait.

So, with these points behind us, I now ask the following three questions of Obama and those who still believe in him:

1.        Do you really think America is wrong (or “scared” as you have said)?   Or, is it possible you need to consider the alternate and prevailing reality that maybe you were late to the party, and should gather some more info before you can become the life of it?

2.       If you still think you are right, and most of us are wrong, will you nonetheless take a leap of faith and allow the American Majority to help you in this journey?  (Sports Analogy No. 4.  Please Google “LeBron James Admits He Would Do Things Differently”).

3.       If you have been at all humbled by Tuesday’s election, hope to win a second term, and believe that there’s something YOU can learn from an angry electorate, will you tip-toe to the middle even a wee bit?  If so, you may discover that unity means not only us trusting in you, but also you learning something from us.

In closing, we consider Sports Analogy No. 5:  New York Giants football coach Tom Coughlin.  A notoriously arrogant coach, Coughlin was famous for his red-faced rants and ability to dress down even the biggest stars.  After nearly losing his job in 2005 and driving away some of the sports bigger stars, Coughlin underwent intense introspection before the 2006 season, changing his demeanor and endearing himself to his players. 

The result?  The New York Giants won the Super Bowl in 2007.

C’mon Coach Obama, we could all really use a win.