Obama Risks Gator Attack, Calls for Playoffs in College Football Again
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: It wouldn’t be a day at the Obama White House without the obligatory sports related event, but today President Obama spiced up the event by inserting himself again into the argument over college football playoffs. While the president welcomed the Florida Gators football team into the White House to congratulate them on their BCS national championship win, he stepped right back into the controversy in college football and continued to push for a change of rules to the Bowl Game Series playoff system, despite opposition from university presidents and NCAA executives. “I don’t want to stir up controversy. You guys are the national champions — I’m not backing off the fact we need a playoff system. But I have every confidence that you guys could have beat anybody else. And so we’ll see how that plays itself out.” The BCS — the Bowl Championship Series — gives the two top teams ranked highest in the BCS a spot to compete in a "national championship game" — not a formal playoff. Last November, Mr. Obama told 60 Minutes that he supported an eight-school playoffs for college football. The team standing behind Obama in the East Room today went from smiling to – well to not smiling – when Obama made his pitch for the playoff reform. “I noticed they got all quiet after that,” Obama joked, “But you know, I’m one of those politicians — I don’t just tell you what you want to hear, I tell you what you need to hear.” — Sunlen Miller
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That was so inappropriate. Why would he try & steal the joy from what should have been a great experience for them?
Posted by: ellsbells930 | April 23, 2009, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
Not exactly the smartest move with the reigning BCS champs in the room.
Will Obama really team up with Joe Barton, the smartest man in Congress (lol), to change the system?
Posted by: matt | April 23, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
“But you know, I’m one of those politicians — I don’t just tell you what you want to hear, I tell you what you need to hear.”
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What they needed to hear was, “Congratulations!”
Posted by: MayBee | April 23, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
It helps if you think before you speak.
Posted by: Jane | April 23, 2009, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm
“But you know, I’m one of those politicians — I don’t just tell you what you want to hear, I tell you what you need to hear.”
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What they needed to hear was, “Congratulations!”
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I am sure he would have said that at the beginning of his speech. You need to read the complete speech before making this remark.
Posted by: michael | April 23, 2009, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
michael- I specifically mean they didn’t need to hear his ruminations about a playoff system. They only needed to hear congratulations from him.
Posted by: MayBee | April 23, 2009, 9:01 pm 9:01 pm
Florida won that game but the national championship remains mythical while the system remains a farce.
Posted by: MIguy | April 23, 2009, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
As much as I love Obama I think he should have congratulated the Gators why? because they accomplished an achievement other teams couldn’t do that year, and then ruining it with this remark that killed their joy “The team standing behind Obama in the East Room today went from smiling to – well to not smiling – when Obama made his pitch for the playoff reform.” see I think it was a great choice but he needs to select his words more carefully.
Posted by: Bailey | April 23, 2009, 10:54 pm 10:54 pm
Big “O” said this with, or without
teleprompters? Dying to know,
Posted by: Trajan | April 23, 2009, 11:59 pm 11:59 pm
Aren’t these kids supposed to have classes and be studying and attending class, and wouldn’t playoffs interfere with that as it would extend the season?
Oh, that’s right…The One won’t give up his college transcripts, so we can safely assume academics isn’t high up on his list of importance.
The other side of the coin is the ridiculous emphasis on college sports anyway. The idea that millions can be spent on 5-50 people (depending on the sport) chasing a ball around is ludicrous.
Sure, it provides a meal ticket for a handful and a few hours of bread and circuses for the masses, but in the end, is that the point of universities?
Also, college sports used to be about the actual students who were going to that college anyway participating and representing their school, but with recruiting, colleges have become little more than farm teams for pro organizations. How is the University of _______ superior to other colleges, since half or more of their players come from somewhere else, including the colleges they play against? Those recruited players could just as well play anywhere…so, what’s the point?
Posted by: RR GOP | April 24, 2009, 12:53 am 12:53 am
The current BCS system might serve as a good model for a financial bailout disclosure tool.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | April 24, 2009, 8:55 am 8:55 am
I suppose it is just a matter of time before we learn that the president is managing the white house tennis court schedules too. Jimmy Carter will be proud.
Posted by: ProtectFreedom | April 24, 2009, 9:19 am 9:19 am
Obama wears Tebow pajamas.
Posted by: MattUF | April 24, 2009, 9:53 am 9:53 am
it is hard believe that obama and I actually agree on something
Posted by: DJ | April 24, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am
rr gop: how many presidents have released their transcripts?
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | April 24, 2009, 10:22 am 10:22 am
They weren’t the true national champions. 13-0 Utah should have been there. I have no problem with Obama wiping the smiles off a team that wasn’t the true national champion.
Posted by: herman | April 24, 2009, 10:58 am 10:58 am
Barry always wants to be the center of attention. Instead of congradulating the accomplishment of Florida, he tries to steal the limelight and make himself the story.
If a comet was going to smash into the earth Barry would A. Blame Bush for not doing something about it B. Then talk about how it was going to effect his policy objectives.
Posted by: IK | April 25, 2009, 12:18 am 12:18 am
why is there so much complaining ? its only an opinion.
talk about trampling on freedom of speech.
this has been a public service announcement from HIPOCRASY WATCH.
IF THIS REFERS TO YOU; YOU SUCK
Posted by: BRUSDADDY | April 25, 2009, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm
He did congratulate the gators…
He just also mentioned the playoff’s – try to keep up here.
Also – Damn right there should be a playoff – how do you really feel when an undefeated team doesnt get a shot at victory? It’s BS.
Posted by: Matt | April 26, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
Oh, if the mighty Obama says we need playoffs, the NCAA powers that be better heed this as a warning. If they don’t follow his command, he’ll just take over the NCAA. Of course, if this happens, the new Obama League will initiate through divine dictatorship new policies into football, such as adding lead ankle weights to the faster players to even the playing field for the slower ones.
Posted by: DrewC | April 26, 2009, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
He doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear, but need to hear?
LOL!!!
His whole campaign was what people WANTED to hear and nothing we needed to hear.
Just another politician playing politics. The truth just seems to disappear.
Posted by: ster | April 27, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
“Why would he try & steal the joy from what should have been a great experience for them?”
It’s called Socialism. If you acheive… you should feel guilty.
Posted by: styer | April 27, 2009, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm