By David K. and Peter Christian
PETER CHRISTIAN:
Taking out the obvious choices (such as former athletes and coaches that have already entered the political arena) like Tom Osborne, Steve Largent and Heath Shuler, there is a rather short list of sports figures that I would put my support behind. That list includes Curt Schilling, Billy Beane, Mark Cuban, Pete Carroll and Peyton Manning. Each has had success as a leader and had the gumption to stand up to critics and continually prove them wrong. Additionally each potential candidate has endured and recovered from adversity.
So how do you narrow down the list?
First, we can guess who each man would select as a running mate. Schilling would need an everyman that would be able to step in and calm the nation’s emotions when Schilling spouted his mouth off at the wrong time or to the wrong world leader, plus he would have to be a crowd favorite as Schilling himself is something of a polarizing figure (understatement of the year). Curt Schilling would select Kevin Millar as his running mate and the fact that they have already won together definitely means something to both the Red Sox Nation and to me, they remain on the list.
Billy Beane on the other hand would go with an up and comer, someone he can groom to be what he wants. He’s had success in the past following that formula while running the Oakland A’s, why would he stop now? Plus he would want someone that he could get on his ticket that has the ability to offer more than what their advertised price tag shows, but could be at the same time expendable. Ultimately Billy would decide to have multiple V.P.’s on his ticket and go with the one that has the most success in clutch situations. J.P. Riccardi, Paul DePodesta, Nick Swisher and Bill James would all make appearances. Beane’s lack of top line success and inability to stick with one running mate removes him from the list.
Mark Cuban would be the enigma of the list. He, along with Billy Beane, are the only two not to have won a championship but his multi-faceted success more than makes up for his lack of a ring. However, Cuban may be hesitant to let someone get close enough to his power to be considered his Vice President. He has always been a lone leader and has become very accomplished by doing so. After much begging and pleading, Cuban would reluctantly name a V.P. His choice of Ron Artest over other potential suitors such as Michael Jordan and Dr. Phil (he was a trainer before becoming a TV shrink) shocks people but is quickly regarded as the most volatile ticket in U.S. history and would definitely pave the way for some change.
Pete Carroll has come a long way since his disappointing stint as an NFL Head Coach. He is always considered among the elite of the NCAA coaches and has led his USC Trojans to two national championships while leading some of the best talent in all of college football. His ability to manage such high profile players would make him a great choice to be Commander in Chief, but the choice of Matt Leinart as his running mate ends up being his undoing.
Peyton Manning has the charisma and the raw talent to lead us to the Promised Land while under pressure. However, it has been proven that Peyton needs great people around him to succeed. Peyton’s choices for a VP seem endless as he could go with someone like Tony Dungy (mentor type), Tom Brady (peer with a great resume), his dad Archie (because he loves him) or his brother Eli (so he can string him along a bit longer). His decision to select his former college coach Phillip Fulmer (because he looks kind of like Fred Thompson, and he was actually a candidate) angers the NFL, the Colt organization and the Manning Family. Peyton drops out of the race.
The showdown between the Cuban/Artest ticket and the Schilling/Millar ticket is a heated one as there is a divisive choice between winning and change. At the end of the day, knowing what it takes to get to the top pushes Schilling/Millar over the top.
DAVID K.
Thompson/Cuban in ’12… YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!
Presidential Candidate: Ted Thompson, Green Bay Packers General Manager
Thompson’s resume speaks for itself. He has taken the Packer franchise through a successful transformation, turning a 4-12 team in 2006 to 13-3 and one quarter away from the Super Bowl just two seasons later. But what really sets Thompson apart from any other potential candidates is his ability to do what is the right choice, but not necessarily the popular one. This can be perfectly demonstrated by this summer’s crisis in Green Bay.
When Brett Favre decided to scratch his itch, Thompson didn’t waver on his beliefs and made what he felt was the decision best suited for his franchise, keeping his commitment to Aaron Rodgers. Though it was by no means popular move within the majority of Packer Backers, Thompson did what no other general manager would have likely had the guts to do: trade the iconic Favre. He also stuck to his guns by not releasing the future Hall of Famer or trading him to a divisional rival -despite Favre’s wishes- like a President refusing to negotiate with a terrorist. (Okay, that might be a little bit of a stretch, but you get the point.)
In taking over a 2005 team well over the salary cap and bringing them to a great financial situation just three years later, Thompson has also shown the economic whereabouts to turn around these troubling times in the U.S. He has a history of not over-spending on aging free agents and is known for rewarding players who come to work everyday, play hard, and show loyalty to his team.
Plus, as displayed by the whole Favre ordeal, Thompson has a definite sliminess about him that seems fitting for a Presidential candidate.
VP Candidate: Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner
To offset Thompson’s boring blandness, his running mate must be more personable for the voting population. Who better to bring that trait to the ticket that the people’s owner, passionate fan, not afraid to speak his mind, Mark Cuban? He’s got the financial backing to not only fund the campaign, but pretty much buy the electorate as well.
Cuban is living the All-American dream, turning an up-start company into a multi-billion dollar corporation. Like Thompson, Cuban has a track record of turning around a struggling franchise. When he purchased a majority stake of the Mavericks, Dallas went from a NBA team struggling through years of mediocrity, to a year-in and year-out championship contender.
He is very out-spoken and not afraid to express his unhappiness or make a change when things aren’t going as expected. (Although sometimes those moves don’t always pan out, i.e. last season’s trade for Jason Kidd.) Cuban has the ability to capture the hearts and minds of the people and would make a perfect compliment to Thompson.