Hello, sports fans. As we near the end of our quadrennial games, let’s take a look back at how we got to where we are now:
The Titan Who Fell - Hillary Clinton: Perhaps the victim of her own hype, the former First Lady crashed in a big way in the primary round in the most anticipated event of these games- the quest for the White House. As of late 2006, just after Team Democrat had taken gold in Senate races, House races, and gubernatorial races alike, pundits across the country were ready to place the gold medal around Clinton’s neck. But Clinton failed to achieve what had been a “sure win,” forcing her to settle for silver in the presidential event. When it came time for the vice presidential race, many of Clinton’s fans remained behind her. However, the down-and-dirty strategy that she displayed in the presidential race cost her some serious ground in the latter event, effectively ruling her out of the following qualifying rounds for the vice presidency. Disqualified for Foul Play - John Edwards: Every four years, hearts are broken around the world when we find out that our heroes don’t pass the requisite tests prior to competition. Sometimes, it’s doping and steroids. Other times, it’s a different kind of cheating. The race for the presidency requires that candidates not only refrain from performance enhancers (i.e., illegal campaign contributions, etc), but also that they maintain a history of ethics and integrity commensurate with the prestige of these games. And if you can’t meet the requirements for the presidential event, it’s not likely that you’ll fare too well in the vice presidential race, either. Like Mom always said, cheaters never prosper…especially if it is on your wife while she’s battling cancer. Playing for the Wrong Team - Michael Bloomberg and Chuck Hagel: For most of his life, Mike Bloomberg was on Team Democrat. But when the qualifying race (primary) for the New York Mayoral race looked a little crowded, Bloomberg switched to Team Republican, despite remaining a Democrat at heart. Now, he’s on a team of his own (Team Independent). Technically, that made him a contender for the vice presidential event. But in the long, storied history of these games, never has an Independent joined the national ticket of a Democratic presidential gold medal winner. And while Republican Chuck Hagel might similarly have seemed like a good idea, you can bet that if it’s tough for an Independent to win gold here, it’s damn near impossible for a member of Team GOP.
A Flash in the Pan - Wesley Clark: For as distinguished as he is, a lot of people didn’t know who Wesley Clark was about a year ago. But with his military credentials, his impressive education, his experience with foreign diplomacy, and his status as a former Hillary Clinton backer, Clark shot to the forefront of the vice presidential race. But his time at the front of the pack was short-lived. He stumbled when he made comments that some deemed to be overly-critical of John McCain’s military service, and he was never able to make up ground. He’s been trailing in the race ever since, and few critics (if any) are giving any credence to the possibility of a comeback.
And now, the finalists:
The Replacement - Kathleen Sebelius: When it became apparent that Hillary Clinton wasn’t going to be competitive in the vice-presidential race, things looked good for Kathleen Sebelius. Sebelius was the victor in the Kansas gubernatorial race, and has become incredibly popular as the reigning champion. At this point, she has a whole lot going for her: she’s won kudos all around for her most recent performance in Kansas, she’s got red-state appeal, and she stands a chance to be wildly successful with the same groups as Clinton. The race is tight, but Sebelius stands just about as good of a chance as any of the contenders to take gold.
The Comeback - Joe Biden: One of my favorite Olympic stories is that of Dan Jansen, the world-class speed skater who overcame disappointment after disappointment to become a champion. He made a name for himself in the 1984 games as a promising up-and-comer. In 1988, he was a favorite to win gold. But despite competing even after having learned of his sister’s sudden death moments before the race, Jansen came up short, falling early in the race. In 1992, Jansen returned, but after lackluster performances, left again with no medals. His last chance for a medal was 1994. By then a seasoned veteran, but far older than most of his opponents, Jansen overcame his underdog status to finally win the gold he’d been waiting for.
Joe Biden’s story is similar. In 1988, people were calling him “the next Robert Kennedy.” But a brain aneurysm in the midst of competition forced Biden to the sidelines, despite his impressive performance up to that point. In 2004, he was ready to try again, but ultimately failed to give himself enough time to cultivate a meaningful training (fundraising) base. In these 2008 games, he made one last attempt. Though he was unable to secure gold in the presidential event, his skill in foreign policy and likeable personal style has made him a top contender for VP gold. Though he’s tried to downplay expectations (telling reporters, “I’m not the guy,”), make no mistake: Joe Biden could be standing on the winner’s platform when this is all said and done.
The Sleeper - Tim Kaine: The champion of the Virginia Gubernatorial race is stepping up to a much bigger event this time around. Not long ago, Tim Kaine was a largely unknown competitor. A newcomer to these games, he’s just starting to show his promise as a national candidate. His appeal as a Virginia native is not to be underestimated. If Kaine has it in him to move to push himself to cross the finish line first, we’ll be hearing his name a lot more in the months to come.
The Golden Boy - Evan Bayh: If there is one man who has all the right skills to win gold, it’s Evan Bayh. The two term governor and two term senator from Indiana is an all-around competitor, who’s had success with both Democrats and Republicans. He comes from a long line of champions, as the son of former Senator and unsuccessful presidential candidate Birch Bayh. But his success depends on whether his skills can overcome the very different skills of his competitors- namely Biden’s experience, Tim Kaine’s “new-guy” appeal, and Sebelius’ unconventional style.
The Long Shot - Bill Richardson: Despite being arguably the most experienced candidate in the presidential event (having served as a Congressman, Governor, Cabinet Secretary, and foreign Ambassador), Bill Richardson never really achieved the success some had hoped. But in the vice presidential race, Richardson’s fortunes might have turned. The New Mexico native’s experience brings a serious dose of credibility to the race, which is undoubtedly his secret weapon. Moreover, his Mexican heritage could very well appeal to Hispanics, who are now the largest minority group in America. But while Richardson isn’t necessarily out of the race, he’s got a long way to go. The eventual winner of the VP gold will have to be a game changer, and Richardson may struggle to that end.
