Obama Courtside for Georgetown Basketball Game
EmailABC News' Karen Travers reports:
The 11th-ranked Georgetown Hoyas are taking on the seventh-ranked Duke Blue Devils in Washington today before a sold out crowd in one of the premier men’s college basketball matchups of the weekend.
The nationally-televised game has such potential to be a barnburner that even President Obama and Vice President Biden dropped by to take in the action at the Verizon Center.
Obama walked in just before the national anthem to big applause from the Georgetown student section, which saw him first. He did not initially show his loyalty, wearing a black jacket.
It is Obama’s second college basketball game this season. In November, the first family went to the George Washington-Oregon State game in Washington, where the Obamas rooted for the visiting Beavers. Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson, is the head coach at Oregon State.
Obama’s passion for sports is well known and he is loyal to his hometown teams in Chicago.
He played basketball regularly on the campaign trail, even getting in a game with the North Carolina Tar Heels, and has spent many weekend afternoons on the golf course with friends and aides.
The president’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, may have inherited their father’s love for basketball. Last Saturday, Obama attended one of Sasha’s games at a community center in suburban Maryland.
Sports typically has been a way for Obama to relax and take a break from the pressures of the presidency and politics, but a pick-up basketball game at the White House in October earned him some criticism for it’s all-male roster.
Georgetown started dropping hints that there may be an uber-VIP in the house, advising fans on Thursday and Friday to arrive to the game early because there would be enhanced security measures due to “dignitaries” at the game. Former Hoya coach John Thompson Jr. said on his radio show on Friday that the president would be attending but called it a distraction.
Even high-profile Georgetown alums were excited about the possibility of the presidential visit. Washington Wizards' owner Ted Leonsis blogged that he hoped to sit close enough to Obama to buy him a hot dog.
Vice President Biden has ties to Georgetown, with two Hoyas in his family – niece Missy Owens and nephew Cuff Owens.
Obama may be rooting for the Blue Devils today, even though the Hoyas are his new hometown team. His personal aide, Reggie Love, played basketball and football at Duke and was a member of the Blue Devils’ 2001 national championship team.
But maybe Hoya fans shouldn’t be too discouraged if the hoopster-in-chief is rooting for the visiting team today.
Obama’s golden touch has been called into question lately. He stumped for Democratic political candidates who ended up losing elections in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts, and his 11th hour personal pitch in Copenhagen, Denmark didn’t help his hometown of Chicago win the 2016 Olympic Summer Games.
Now it looks like that not-so-Midas touch now has trickled into basketball. Earlier this week, Obama called the top-ranked and unbeaten Kentucky Wildcats basketball team to thank them for their work to raise $1 million in the “Hoops for Haiti” telethon.
The hoopster-in-chief also cautioned them to keep their focus and not let their standing at the top of the polls get to their heads.
Perhaps the message wasn’t clear enough: The Wildcats lost their first game Friday night, falling 68-62 to unranked South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.
-Karen Travers
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Great job turning your puff piece into an opinionated, college freshman-level political analysis. Fox News would be proud.
Posted by: James | January 30, 2010, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
oh for heaven’s sake… Barry can’t watch from the White House? How much did this little jaunt – with attendent security and groupies – cost taxpayers? In addition, The Won takes courtside seats during a sold-out game? Who got bumped AND what a great way for Barry to get optimal camera time being “one of the folk”. What a disgusting, cynical display from Obamessiah.
Posted by: DarleenClick | January 30, 2010, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
The announcers better protect themselves.
Obama will grab the mic and head for the first available TV camera.
It’s a reflex–find the spotlight.
Posted by: millie | January 30, 2010, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
You know he can’t go a day without an adoring crowd–or a chance to go on television.
The man needs help.
Posted by: ollie | January 30, 2010, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
He can afford to watch games and the rest of the American people don’t have food to eat or losing their home! he should try immerse himself out, cold in the dark like the homeless the people who lost their homes and he can think twice before cheering a basketball game!
Posted by: Ray | January 30, 2010, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
First looking into the BCS football games, now showing up a college basketball game.
Is there anything this administration can’t do?
Outside of governing the country effectively and intelligently that is….
Posted by: 2Brixshy | January 30, 2010, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
If these comments aren’t from Haters, I don’t know who…turn on Fox, since they tuned the truth out on you yesterday.
Posted by: sara | January 30, 2010, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
WE NEED JOBS – LESS SPENDING. HE’S GOING TO BALLGAMES, HAWAII, NY FOR DINNER, ETC. THIS NEEDS TO STOP
Now, Obama is campaigning for 2010 and 2012! The entire 2008 campaign was based on lies. Americans are fed up with HCF and Cap and Trade. We want them to create jobs and reduce debt, among other things. Obama and the liberals in Congress plan to cram this down our throats, regardless of what it takes. They’re doing it “under the table”. They’re making deals “behind closed doors”. We don’t want this massive, intrusive government. What happened to transparency and C-Span? This is the most corrupt administration in American history.
Posted by: IN 2008 HE WANTED TO WORK WITH REPUBLICANS --- THEN HE LOCKED THEM OUT! | January 30, 2010, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
The amount of time Obama is on TV is unbelievable.
Every time you see him he is on a stage, on TV talking, reading TOTUS, lecturing. He’s totally into himself.
I thinks he has more face time than Chavez.
Posted by: kyle | January 30, 2010, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
Yesterday the President forcefully defended his administration policies against a hour-long barrage of accusations and hostile questions from the Republican caucus – and showed a lot of Americans what a great president he is becoming. Let him enjoy a basketball game and quit your constant whining.
Posted by: tierra | January 30, 2010, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
(Obviously it was planned ahead of time, since he was accompanied by two (male) generations of several of his WH associates.)
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I presume almost everything the President of the United States does is planned ahead of time.
I see a picture of the President at the game with quite an attractive woman sitting between him and David Axelrod.
Posted by: tierra | January 30, 2010, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
. If Axelrod/Obama/Biden are going to campaign FULL time,
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Hey, it’s a Saturday, they’re at a basketball game. Give them a break.
Posted by: tierra | January 30, 2010, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
It’s all Obama all the time.
Trying to make a comeback.
Trying to get some of that magic back.
Kind of sad to watch.
He has never left campaign mode.
Even Obama Girl is tired of him.
Posted by: justin | January 30, 2010, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
Obama has taken over car companies, banks, health care, the MSM, now he’s after football and basketball.
Obama thinks he knows what is best for every person, plant, and animal on the earth.
Posted by: kyle | January 30, 2010, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
Posted by: Susie | Jan 30, 2010 5:30:40 PM
Don’t be silly Susie. This was a basketball game. The television station was thrilled to have a President who is a keen basketball fan exchange a little light banter and sports talk.
The 3 to 7 years things was a humorus response to the question about Obama’s future in color commentary.
You’re just carping and whining.
Posted by: tierra | January 30, 2010, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
He loves the glamour, and the perks of being a celebrity president.
The tough decisions he defers to Congress or someone else.
Then blames them for his blunders.
Posted by: fran | January 30, 2010, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Meanwhile President Rahm is back at the White House plotting his next move–while Barry is out having fun.
Obama’s desk in the Oval Office must be full of dust and spider webs since he is never there.
Posted by: larry | January 30, 2010, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
Posted by: fran | Jan 30, 2010 5:44:31 PM
The President yesterday walked in alone to the lions’ den of the Republican caucus and proceeded to field every one of their tough, accusatory questions – and he made mincemeat of the Republicans.
This man is a lot tougher and has a lot more character than you give him credit for.
The President reduced each Republican argument to rumble yesterday and he did it with great insight, detail, warmth, humor and feistiness. We’re seeing the makings of a great president.
Posted by: tierra | January 30, 2010, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
I bet Obama shows up in an ad during the Super Bowl, or on the jumboscreen. There’s no way he will miss out on that huge audience.
Posted by: ollie | January 30, 2010, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
Posted by: Susie | Jan 30, 2010 6:06:50 PM
Susie anybody who watched the full exchange knows exactly what happened.
The President was faced with very tough, accusatory questions and proceeded to dismantle each and every one – and he did it with a lot of humor and warmth as well as an impressive range of thoroughness, detail and insight – and feistiness!
We saw the makings of a great President.
The Republicans really tended to show themselves as partisan politicians playing partisan political games attempting to get re-elected.
Posted by: tierra | January 30, 2010, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
I didn’t see the game.
Please tell me Obama wasn’t wearing his mom jeans.
Posted by: kandy | January 30, 2010, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm
Please tell me Obama wasn’t wearing his mom jeans.
Posted by: kandy | Jan 30, 2010 6:17:54 PM
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The level of ‘intelligent politics’ from the Republican right. Personal insult.
Posted by: tierra | January 30, 2010, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
wait! I just read an ABC article explaining how Obama can’t go to church in DC partially because of security issues…(?)
Posted by: cindy | January 30, 2010, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
I am just drawn to Biden’s teeth..I mean the guy needs to let America in on his secret..crest whitening strips, or Rembrant..I mean WOWOWOW!
Posted by: cindy | January 30, 2010, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Please tell me Obama wasn’t wearing his mom jeans
Posted by: kandy | Jan 30, 2010 6:17:54 PM
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The level of ‘intelligent politics’ from the Republican right. Personal insult.
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kandy this post is more about the shoddy tactics of the Republican right . ..
Posted by: tierra | January 30, 2010, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
James wrote, “Great job turning your puff piece into an opinionated, college freshman-level political analysis. Fox News would be proud.”
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You noticed how the beating the Republicans took from the President wasn’t much of a fest love here? Although I’ve come to expect this from this blog, it’s just amazing this listed under a guy who’s supposed to be a real known mainstream journalist. I’d like to know what the strategy is, or is it really an effort to rile people up against this particular President?
Posted by: David | January 30, 2010, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
You noticed how the beating the Republicans took from the President wasn’t much of a fest love here?
Posted by: David _______________________________________
People seem to view things through a rather distorted lens. I found the president in lecturing mode and the Republicans justifiably venting their frustrations as they had been continually blamed for contributing “no ideas” as well as being “obstructionist” while actually being locked out of any of the process.
I find it interesting how two people can watch the same thing and perceive it so differently.
Posted by: wow | January 30, 2010, 10:52 pm 10:52 pm
When I heard that Obama would be pulling for Duke I knew we had it made.To VA,NJ and MA you can add the Verizon Center.Now as long as nobody convinces him to back Georgetown at the next visit.HOYA SAXA!!
Posted by: Nephron | January 30, 2010, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
he Republicans justifiably venting their frustrations as they had been continually blamed for contributing “no ideas” as well as being “obstructionist”
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The President clearly bested the Republicans on both those charges. He pointed to item after item included in the Recovery act and the health care bills that reflect Republican beleifs.
And he clearly identified the types of hysterical accusations the Republican have levelled at his administration – and their effects on bi-partisanship.
The good thing is – anyone can see the Q&A in its entirety at the White House web site, or read the text.
Posted by: tierra | January 31, 2010, 12:25 am 12:25 am
well i thoroughly disagree with you…ain’t this country grand!
btw, democrats didn’t need republicans to pass their bill. they caused their own grief and then as always, blamed the republicans.
“hysterical” i thought name calling was beneath you. oh yes, and dems have been oozing bipartisanship throughout this whole process. That’s a good one! You are funny tonight.
Posted by: wow | January 31, 2010, 12:57 am 12:57 am
btw, democrats didn’t need republicans to pass their bill. they caused their own grief and then as always, blamed the republicans.
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wow, you need to watch the Q&A with the Republican caucus again. The President clearly outlines how the extremist language and attitude from the Republicans has boxed them into a corner where bipartisanship can’t work for them.
That is what the President confronted the Republicans with – and it was a direct hit.
When you use fear mongering (not the President’s word – its mine) against someone as a tactic to get elected – you eliminate being able to cooperate with that person on anything. This is what the Republicans have done – they have destroyed bipartisanship in favor of scoring cheap political points with extremist rhetoric. Seriously.
Posted by: tierra | January 31, 2010, 1:15 am 1:15 am
tierra, We obviously see things differently and that isn’t going to change. If the democrats and republicans actually worked together in a civil and respectful manner I would certainly appreciate it.
Their negotiations should be broadcast on cspan. It would hold everyone to a higher standard (one should hope.)
And yes, your theatrical choice of wording is chosen to offend and that is (in my mind) name calling.
Posted by: wow | January 31, 2010, 1:36 am 1:36 am
new slogan huh? the new bumper sticker i see around town is obummer. you may not like it tierra but it is the undercurrent now. slogan’s not going to work for you. repub’s own the country first mantra and there are obviously the crazy ideologues on both sides of the isle.
smearing republicans all the time as rabid ideologues just offends those moderates that you are trying to appeal to. It’s not a good tactic and neither is dismissing all republican ideas as nonsense. good nite
Posted by: wow | January 31, 2010, 2:28 am 2:28 am
Forget the basketball game, Joe Biden is HAWT! (fans self)
Posted by: Walking Through | January 31, 2010, 4:02 am 4:02 am
. It’s not a good tactic and neither is dismissing all republican ideas as nonsense. good nite
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Again wow, take a look at the President’s Q&A with the Republican caucus – you will see that many Republican ideas were including in both the stimulus plan and the health care bills. Republican ideas have not been dismissed – that is simply a bogus claim.
Posted by: tierra | January 31, 2010, 5:19 am 5:19 am
“you will see that many Republican ideas were including in both the stimulus plan and the health care bills.”
Like tort reform? Portability?
Nonsense.
Show us where this is so we can all see it.
Posted by: drjohn | January 31, 2010, 7:41 am 7:41 am
It’s nice that Obama has all this free time. He’s played golf 29 times in his first year. Bush played golf 7 times in his first year.
Posted by: drjohn | January 31, 2010, 7:43 am 7:43 am
tierra stated:
“We saw the makings of a great President.”
Yes, for all of 2009, we saw the makings of this “great” President. That is why his numbers are sinking on a monthly basis.
If you believe that one bipartisian apppearance will begin to make up for a first year of stumbling, bumbling, inept politics, then you are a liberal.
HIGHLY PARTISIAN and SHORT TERM THINKING
to be exact.
Posted by: enough already | January 31, 2010, 8:55 am 8:55 am
Nice to see that Obama is spending all his free time with his daughters. In addition, I am sure that all of the unemployed Americans are overjoyed that our POTUS can attend sporting events while they are starving.
Posted by: eliza | January 31, 2010, 9:23 am 9:23 am
… repub’s own the country first mantra and there are obviously the crazy ideologues on both sides of the isle.
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Do they? How funny. If they own the mantra, they certainly can’t tie it to anything real– like actually being for country first or doing anything that exhibits they believe it or are willing to back up the belief with action. And when did the political landscape become an island? Do you see it as a game of Surivor or something?
Posted by: progressive mama | January 31, 2010, 9:50 am 9:50 am
“If they own the mantra, they certainly can’t tie it to anything real– like actually being for country first or doing anything that exhibits they believe it or are willing to back up the belief with action.”
Yeah, you’re right. Outside of the inconvenient fact that the majority of the U.S. military consistently votes Republican…
Posted by: tjp612 | January 31, 2010, 10:04 am 10:04 am
Try as you might to degrade, mock and punish President Obama, he had a VERY GOOD WEEK and deserved to enjoy some free time watching a basketball game. The comments you people make are as ridiculous as your fellow republicans were making Friday afternoon. It didn’t do them any good either!!
Posted by: jks | January 31, 2010, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
Obama’s been shoving aside the Republicans ever since he got elected. He quadrupled the national debt and spent more than any other US President since George Washington combined.
The American people are catching on that this guy is all about his own interiorly personal agenda and that he isn’t serving America’s needs. This is how Brown got elected.
Now that Obama’s personal plan is blowing up in his face, he’s all of a sudden playing nicey nice and talking bipartisanship. He’s more like crying ‘uncle’. Obama’s losing a grip on his tight clenched fist of power of America. Therefore, he’s starting to act like a moderate to retain his power. Retaining his power is all this guy cares about. He cares nothing about America’s needs – only enough to keep his monopoly of power. Obama is nothing more than a thinly disguised dictator.
Posted by: EPU | January 31, 2010, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm
can’t take any discussion seriously when phrases are taken out of context and spun to fit an agenda. try to make a case by the actual strength of your argument.
Posted by: wow | January 31, 2010, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
I wonder if the POTUS was ‘sticking a fork’ in Coach K (Duke U.).. after last year’s bracket and Coach K telling O. (thru the media) that he should worry about the economy and not the NCAA Men’s Champion. By the way.. Coach K. was giving him some very sound advice!
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | January 31, 2010, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
The Republicans motto is:
Get elected first. Country second.
Posted by: tierra | January 31, 2010, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
So much for watching sports to break from polotics!! Why is he everywhere?? there is no escaping the obama’s
Posted by: kelley | January 31, 2010, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Obama is campaigning again. He knows he’s in touble and he’s getting ready for re-election in 2012. How much did this game cost Americans (travel expenses, security etc.)? This is the most corrupt administration in American history.
Posted by: Proud American | January 31, 2010, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm
Obama is campaigning again. He knows he’s in touble and he’s getting ready for re-election in 2012.
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Actually, its the Republicans who’ve been campaigning since the Democrats were elected into office.
They believed the only chance they had was to disagree with the Democrats on everything and try to demonize Obama, Pelosi, etc.
For the Republicans, it’s been: Get elected first. Country second.
Posted by: tierra | February 1, 2010, 12:08 am 12:08 am
ha, ha, Pelosi has a way of demonizing herself!
Posted by: seriously? | February 1, 2010, 3:09 am 3:09 am
Within President Obama’s proposed $3.8 trillion budget for fiscal year 2011 is $734 million more be spent to support the deployment of up to 1,000 new Advanced Imaging Technology screening machines at airport checkpoints and for new explosive detection equipment for baggage screening; and more funding to increase the number of international flights covered by Federal Air Marshals.
Posted by: cheap cartucho r4i | February 1, 2010, 9:35 am 9:35 am
It’s good for the country that Obama goes to public events such as these.
P
Posted by: Basketball Stands | September 20, 2010, 9:44 am 9:44 am