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Most media and experts consider certain states like Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado, Missouri and New Mexico to swing the election in favor of one candidate...

Redskins-Steelers: Outcome Could Swing 2008 Presidential Election

by Andrew Glover (Scribe)

11

4,540 reads

History

November 03, 2008


Most media and experts consider certain states like Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado, Missouri and New Mexico to swing the election in favor of one candidate. However, the outcome of the Washington Redskins football games before the election seems to have an effect.

Since the 1940 Presidential Election, if the Redskins win their last game before the election, the party that won the popular vote last election wins the current one. If the Redskins lose, then the party that lost the popular vote wins the election.

Tonight the Redskins (6-2) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2). In the 2004 Election, the Republican Incumbent George W. Bush won the popular vote. Therefore, McCain Supporters will be cheering for the Redskins and Obama Supporters the Steelers.

The Redskins are 10-8 in those games, but have lost three of the last four. The last time the Redskins won was in 1996, with a 31-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Bill Clinton was reelected president.

The Redskins are 3-4 against the National Football Conference and 1-1 against the American Football Conference. Before the NFL-AFL merger, the Redskins were 6-3 in their last home game before the election.

Six of those games have been decided by seven points or less. Including 2000 when the Tennessee Titans defeated the Redskins 27-21. George W. Bush won the election over Al Gore after it went to the Supreme Court. The Redskins are 3-3 in those games.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have played the Redskins twice in Washington’s final home game before the election and they have split.

When they were the Pittsburgh Pirates the Washington Redskins beat them 37-10 in 1940, resulting in Franklin Roosevelt getting reelected for a third term. In 1952, the Steelers defeated the Redskins 24-23. Dwight Eisenhower defeated Adlai Stevenson ending 20 consecutive years of Democrat Presidents.

ESPN will interview both Barack Obama and John McCain during halftime of the game. Currently Barack Obama is leading in most polls. Monday night could continue the Redskins streak of deciding the election or end it.

 

Author Poll

Will the result of the game determine the 2008 election?

  • Yes
  • No
vote to see results
Author Poll Results

Will the result of the game determine the 2008 election?

  • Yes

    54.8%

  • No

    45.2%
  • Total votes: 299
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11 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Shay Roddy 8 months ago

    This is BS. File this piece of dog turd in humor if you want a laugh. Otherwise I move to eliminate this ridiculous piece of Journalistic crap.

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  2. mark bellotti 8 months ago

    hard to call it crap when it has held true since 1940! Looks like it will be Obama thanks to the
    Redskins. At 9:00 pm eastern time tuesday night it looks like the voters agree as well.

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  3. Matt Brehaut 8 months ago

    And the streak continues! Thanks for bringing this intriguing bit of trivia into my purview.

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  4. Tony Bishop 8 months ago

    Was Shay a McCain supporter?

    Methinks, yes.

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  5. Mike Craig 8 months ago

    I would second that. I was cheering for the Steelers to win not only because I voted for Obama, but because well, I like the Steelers. They're not my favorite team, but when they're not playing the Packers, I root for them.

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  6. fredd fred 8 months ago

    I third that

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  7. Lucky Riff 8 months ago

    I think this is more than a coincidence. The Steelers were vulnerable after Ben R went down along with W. Parker. The momentum clearly shifted and the Skins should have been able to make their move and win the game, unless.

    The Redskins threw the game just to keep the streak alive! Think about it...Jason Campbell voted for Obama. He decides to throw his first interception in eight games on this night? Portis voted for Obama. He runs all over the NFL for eight games and can't get out of the backfield in this game?

    I think a letter to the office of Peter Goodell is in order. Oh man, I just saw Bigfoot...it will have to wait.

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