March Madness has infected Washington. | Courtesy Flickr user mvongrue
It’s NCAA tournament time and even Washington is getting in on the action. Politico has published a couple of articles covering politicians’ participation in March Madness.
First, President Barack Obama has been questioned by members of the media for filling out a bracket with his picks and taking time on ESPN’s Sportscenter to do so, rather than focus on the multitude of issues at home and abroad. Politico covered the story, called “W.H. responds to bracket gripes.” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney answered NBC News’ Mike Viqueria, “There are crises all the time, for every president.”
And Obama was not alone in getting caught up in the basketball action. Politico’s Amie Parnes writes, “As happens every year when March rolls around, Washington has become a mini-Vegas,” and compiles a nice round-up of various political figures and their Final Four choices in the tournament. These include Carney himself and Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Hari Sevugan. The GOP is in on the fun as well, with Tony Fratto, former deputy White House press secretary under George W. Bush and and Republican strategist and former RNC spokesman Doug Heye. Senator Kay Hagan (D-SC) even has a video on YouTube challenging players to beat her picks.
It’s good to see that even our leaders can be a little like us, and Politico does a good job in presenting it. Happy March Madness, one and all.
