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After Watching Brandon Marshall almost pull out a white and black glove to celebrate the unity he feels in America with the election of Barack Obama as President at the end of the Cleveland-Denver game after he scored the winning touch down last Thursday, I realized something...

"Barak Obama's election as the 44th president of the United States is a tremendous symbol of unity," Marshall said. "I want to create that symbol of unity because Obama inspires me... In my own way I wanted to pay respect to our nation that we've made so I got a white glove and painted it black, half and half. It's not about "It notabout black power, it's not about white or black, it's about U.S.A. red, white and blue. But Stokely came over and said it's too close a ball game, you might get flagged....

The American Right has a big decision to make as we move forward in the history of America and as Obama takes office. They can revert back to the Lee Atwater school of politics and try to tear this country apart or they can re-brand themselves and start over.

I have a feeling that they will take every opportunity they can to highlight bad behavior by African Americans and other minorities, kind of like FOX News on Election Day, promoting the phony Black Panthers story in Philly that was meant to scare whites. It was the same throughout the 2008 campaign.

So the Right can do just like they did with Willie Horton and nearly every presidential election since -- or they can take the high road, rebuild, move away from the Christian conservatives and become a more moderate party.

I was interviewed by the NY Daily News Sports columnist Michael O'Keefe and we talked about what the impact of Obama's victory on Nov. 4th would have in the sports world.

I knew that his election would spark a very positive reaction, but now I see it will have an even bigger impact. Obama has a chance to reach a new generation of voters through sports figures who were never touched by politics previously. When have you ever heard Tiger Woods make a political statement before?

"I think it's absolutely incredible," Woods told CNBC. "He represents America. He's multiracial. I was hoping it would happen in my lifetime. My father was hoping it would happen in his lifetime, but he didn't get to see it. I'm lucky enough to have seen a person of color in the White House." When asked by the cable news outlet how his father Earl would have reacted to Obama's election as the 44th President of the United States, Woods didn't hesitate. "He would have cried. Absolutely. No doubt about it."

More and more athletes will speak out about how proud they feel that Obama was elected just like Brandon Marshall and Tiger Woods did. We've talked about the youth vote before when discussing actual voter turnout, but Obama really can have an impact I think on future generations of voters with the help of these role models for the young. And yes, they are role models for many kids...

All minorities are standing up tall today, and that is bad business for Republicans. How will they deal with it? I think you already know, but we can all still hope they don't go down that path...

I think a few teams could use this guy in the NFL. I never saw that before.

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Last night, the right wing owner of the Philly Flyers had Sarah Palin drop the puck to open the game and the hockey season in Philly. It's a shameless ploy by owner Ed Snider to promote his right wing agenda. Luckily, he was met with less than an enthusiastic reception. It's his team, so he can do what he wants, just like George Steinbrenner can with the Yanks (much to my dismay), but what was shocking to me was that a long time MSG sports host called Snider and the Flyers out for it.

Al Trautwig hosts the show along with former players Ron Duguay, Dave Maloney, Ken Daneyko and Butch Goring on MSG and he had this to say on their new "Hockey Night Live" (rough transcript)

Trautwig: I want to hear all your opinions before we start. I just want to let you know that every email is on my side, but what happened tonight before the Ranger/Philadelphia game was an absolute disgrace.

Q: What happened, Al?

Trautwig: They brought out the Vice Presidential candidate...

Duguay: Oh, look how hot she is.

Trautwig: Stop it. Stop it..

Daneyko: I am a Sarah Palin fan.

Trautwig: I don't care. Hear me out. This is disrespectful of the Philadelphia Flyer fans and to the National Hockey league.

No, no, no, everyone that walks into the room, Kenny, what's the two things that kill a good party? Religion and politics. So let's say every fan walking into this building has stated their love for the Flyers tonight, let's say it's 50-50 and the election is close. Now they're presented with a VP candidate, an almost endorsement by the Flyers. And some are uncomfortable with that. Why should they be put in that position? Why don't they just put rabbis and priests at the door and say come on over to our side?

Daneyko: The Flyers have that right. I think people are a little more intelligent in this country than that to worry about whether Sarah Palin is dropping the puck or not. She's a celebrity nowadays....

Trautwig: Why would you put a negative mojo into let's say half the arena, a third of the arena? Why would you want to do that on opening night?

Duguay: But Al, all this is about entertainment. Hockey is entertainment. She's entertainment. She's the hockey mom of the States.

Trautwig: To Democratic fans, she's not entertainment. Fingers on the chalkboard.

Sure Duguay, we're electing a VP because you think she's hot. Anyway, send an email to Al and tell him thank you for stating the obvious. Let us enjoy the games in peace.

Shame in the Philadelphia Flyers and Ed Snider.

Sports and politics should not mix, not here and not now, less than four weeks before such a critical presidential election. But that's exactly what rabid GOP supporter Ed Snider will be doing this weekend, inviting "hockey mom" Sarah Palin to drop the ceremonial first puck at the Flyers' season opener, and more. Here's from the Flyers' own release:

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the nation’s most popular hockey mom, will join the winner of the Philadelphia Flyers regional search for the “Ultimate Hockey Mom” contest and drop the puck at the ceremonial opening face-off as the home team Flyers host the New York Rangers at the Wachovia Center on Saturday, October 11 at 7 p.m. “Because of the tremendous amount of publicity she has brought to our sport, we invited the most popular hockey mom in North America to our home opener to help us get our season started,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider who founded the Flyers in 1967. “We are very excited she has accepted our offer and we are very proud of the publicity she is generating for hockey moms and the sport of hockey.”

Will Bunch adds:

Pretty clever, huh, how the news release happens to omit the fact that Palin is the Republican vice presidential candidate. Maybe Ed Snider is a little ashamed at what he's trying to pull here. He should be. Do you think he's going to extend the same courtesy to the Democratic vice presidential hopeful, Joe Biden, who actually comes from a state where the Flyers have thousands of fans?

Since I'm a Ranger fan, I hope they trounce them and then go to Geno's and order a cheese steak in Spanish.

Taking a break from politics for a minute. C&L readers know I'm a huge Yankee fan. I have been one since the 60's when the Yanks were in last place and Mickey Mantle was my hero. Torre winning his division was a big 'Suck on This" to the new generation of Steinbrenner's. They had a huge tribute when the last game was played at Yankee stadium and there wasn't even a mention of what Joe Torre did for this franchise. As long as he was the manager the Yanks won 4 world series titles and played in six World Series while making the playoffs every year of his management. To omit him was a very <corrected> petty gesture and their claims that it was an oversight is ridiculous.

Yankees media relations director Jason Zillo, on behalf of the organization, attempted to squash those thoughts: "A lot of great Yankees weren't mentioned [Sunday]," Zillo said. "There was absolutely no slight intended, and perhaps, looking back, they should have been mentioned." 

It just shows the make up of Hank and Hal Steinbrenner. They embarrassed Yankee fans all across the country. I'll always be a Yankee fan. I caught two foul balls and still have Reggie Jackson's ball from 1973, but this new group running the team are losers. Joe Torre is a winner. Good luck.

The Red Sox are still the team to beat, but I'll be rooting for the Angels in that series. 

The Brewers rode on the back of CC Sabathia into the playoffs while the Mets were left for dead in the final game of the season for the second straight year. They have so much talent it's shocking to me that they choked again. Santana was brilliant, but was not enough. Injuries are a nightmare in Sports and they couldn't overcome the loss of Billy Wagner. And if George had been running the team, Johan would have been a Yankee this year. The Cubs are the team to beat in the NL, but still have to deal with "the goat." 

Update: And this op-ed by Bill Plaschke in the LA Times reads like a plant from the Dodgers front office about Manny:

Re-signing Manny Ramirez would be bad deal for Dodgers 

Why couldn't he wait until after the playoffs to attack the player that helped get them there. If you're a Dodger fan send him my regards. bill.plaschke@latimes.com.

She wins on the balance beam, but I just love those "peace" earrings. You go Shawn.

Nastia Liukin was really Golden too...Yes, I love woman's gymnastics...

Looks like China are a bunch of  crooks and liars on top of everything else.

Well, something like that. They should just call it EBFN---The Brett Favre Network and get it over with already. He's like Anna Nicole Smith to them. They can't get enough. OK, back to politics,..

I never heard of a switch pitcher before....

Monday's Red Wings/Penguins game was one of the greatest hockey games I've ever seen. Triple OT win for the Pens as Marc-Andre Fleury was "the savior" with 55 saves. Here's the always colorful Don Cherry with his analysis. Pittsburgh is really tough on their home ice so it should be another great game...(Yes, I post about sports once in a while.)

Taking a break from politics for a minute, (It helps me unwind as you know) I wanted to talk a little sports if I may. I'm not a big NBA fan anymore---the regular season is almost impossible to follow these days with weird game times, days off, three networks covering them and terrible overall play. It doesn't help when your team is awful and coached by Isiah Thomas, (He's finally gone) but watching some of the playoffs this time around I've been amazed by some of the youngest talent in the NBA.

LeBron James hasn't been very good against Boston in a horrible series, but still is a force. CP3 is as smooth as silk and is playing with a chip on his shoulder against the defending World champions. Deron isn't as flashy as the other two, but has been equally impressive against Kobe's Lakers.

There are plenty of other young stars playing today that I left off this poll so put them in the comment section if you're a basketball fan. Take the poll for fun or go on to the next post.

Chris Paul: born May 6, 1985

LeBron James: born December 30, 1984

Deron Williams: born June 26, 1984

OK football junkies, it's the NFL draft today at 3PM EST in New York and I know you guys and gals really, really want to throw out some picks for your team in the comment section so be my guest. I’m a fan of the Super Bowl Champion NY Giants (they need a linebacker and some secondary help) so it'll be a while before I take a look at it because they pick last. As usual I'll get the "why is this being posted here" comment, but just ignore them and discuss your team if you like. It's Saturday after all. Have fun.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled day of blogging.

Yes, I love hockey too. I'm a long time NY Ranger fan. Devil goalie Martin Brodeur is one of the best ever and Henrik Lundqvist is on that path so it should be a very close and low scoring series. I've always said that hockey playoffs are incredible.

Is anyone a hockey fan?

(Updated)I forgot to post this earlier. One of the reasons I'm rooting for Kansas is because Dick Vitale kisses Bobby Knight's ring every chance he gets on ESPN and Knight picked Memphis. They are an excellent team. Go Jayhawks...Mike Finnegan and Logan Murphy of C&L are big KU fans too... Knight is an excellent basketball mind though outside of his other problems...

UPDATE: Wow, what a shot to tie the score and send the game into overtime by Chalmers of Kansas at 63-63.

Big three by Memphis to give them a chance with 56.8 left to go and KU up by three---71-68.

Hats off to all these kids and they are just kids. 

Kansas wins 75-68! What a great comeback. They were down by 9 points with about 2 minutes to go in regulation.

It's finally back. Everyone on C&L knows I'm a huge Yankee fan. Hey, my mom and dad's first date was in the Bronx watching Whitey Ford pitch his first major league game. I do root a bit for the Dodgers since I live in LA, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Cubs break the Curse of the Billy Goat if the Yanks don't make it to the series which should be really tough with such a young pitching staff. Let's have your picks...

 

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Updated: Chris Mad Dog Russo from Mike & the Mad Dog (The biggest Sports talk show in NY ) were livid today over Chris Shays hackery during the hearing. He said he'll campaign for Blue America's Jim Himes. I watched today as they read his bio on air and promised to do a summer picnic supporting Jim. It was quite entertaining to say the least since Russo identifies with the Republican party.  Jane has some details. I'll have more tomorrow...

Henry scolds Roger for trying to interrupt his closing.

Waxman: Excuse me, but this is not your time to argue.

Many of you know I'm a huge sports fan so I was interested about the hearing. Watching the Republicans on the committee go out of their way to protect Roger Clemens, a Texan and fellow Bush supporter was sad. Steroids in sports is not a partisan issue. Andy Pettitte's testimony, another Texan and Clemens pal is most damaging to his case. Clemens tried to bully his way into Henry's closing, but Waxman (as usual) would have none of it. He also apologized for the hatchet job that was done to McNamee by Chris Shays, Davis, Burton and Co.

LA Times:

Chairman Waxman scolded Roger after he actually thought he could bully him as during the testimony.Clemens interrupted the closing statement to insist, "It doesn't mean he [Pettitte] was not mistaken." Waxman pounded the gavel to quiet Clemens, telling him, "This is not your time."

He then apologized to McNamee for "some of these comments," by fellow committee members who criticized the trainer. Minutes earlier, Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) had called McNamee "a police officer who's a drug dealer."

"We've tried to break that line of professional baseball and the use of drugs," Waxman said. "We want to make sure we don't have . . . the culture of our locker rooms become the culture of our high school gyms."