Redskins Lost, So Obama Will Be President

One of the great/stupid things about sports is how numbers can be worked and re-worked into something that are supposed to have meaning. The fact that the fate of the Presidency and the election of the next leader of the free world hinges on an NFL game goes right up to the top of those silly numbers.

Since the Redskins have arrived in Washington, how they perform in their final home game determines the presidential election. It's true.

It's called the Redskins Rule, and it has an accuracy rate of either 94 or 100 percent depending on how it's applied. Every time the Redskins win their final home game before a presidential election, the candidate representing the incumbent party remains in office. Every time they lose, the incumbent party's candidate loses as well. It's a predictor that has worked in 16 of 17 presidential elections since the Redskins arrived in Washington. (Some argue the rule is 17-for-17; more on that in a second.)

In 2004, the Redskins lost to the Packers 28-14, suggesting Bush should have lost to John Kerry. Hirdt changed the way the rule is applied to have it refer to the previous winner of the popular vote, not the electoral vote.

That's good news for Barack Obama and the Democrats. The Redskins lost to the Steelers, 23-6, which means the incumbent Republicans are looking at a bad day. Why even hold the election? Just crown Obama the President at FedEx Field.

Latest NFL Photos

A fan holds up a sign during the NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Landover, Maryland, November 3, 2008. REUTERS/Mitch Dumke (UNITED STATES)

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Pittsburgh Steelers William Gay (22) recovers a blocked punt kicked by Washington Redskins punter Ryan Plackemeier and blocked by Steelers Andre Frazier during the second quarter of their NFL football game in Landover, Maryland, November 3, 2008. REUTERS/Mitch Dumke (UNITED STATES)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leaves the field after defeating the Washington Redskins in their NFL football game in Landover, Maryland, November 3, 2008. REUTERS/Mitch Dumke (UNITED STATES)

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Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers Aaron Smith (91) during the second half of their NFL football game in Landover, Maryland, November 3, 2008. REUTERS/Molly Riley (UNITED STATES)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior, right, safety Tyrone Carter, center, and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (56) celebrate during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, left, stands with coach Mike Tomlin during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, in Landover, Md. The Steelers won 23-6. Roethlisberger reinjured his throwing shoulder earlier in the game. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich (4) hands-off to running back Willie Parker (39) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, in Landover, Md. The Steelers won 23-6. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Pittsburgh Steelers Santonio Holmes dives into the endzone for a touchdown during the second half of their NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Maryland, November 3, 2008. REUTERS/Andrew Cameron (UNITED STATES)

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Washington Redskins safety Chris Horton, left, tackles Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mewelde Moore during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, in Landover, Md. Pittsburgh won 23-6. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell sits on the field after being tackled during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, in Landover, Md. The Steelers won 23-6. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

This is all a bunch of hooey, right? The broadcast team at ESPN mentioned this phenomena at the beginning of the telecast last night and SportsCenter mentioned it all day long. Some diehards actually think this Redskins Rule is what pushed Harry Truman past Thomas Dewey in 1948.

This isn't just the Yankees only win titles when a Democrat in office stuff; it isn't as if the Yankees have anything to do with what happens in an election, rather simply feeling the affects of who is in office. The Celtics have won their last seven titles with a Republican in office, but there were many years a Republican was President and the C's didn't win.

The Redskins have to play a last home game sometime before every Presidential election. This transcends political affiliation and was only noticed several years ago as a statistical anomaly.

With Obama as the favorite to win the White House, it looks as if this will make the 18th time out of 18 tries that the "Redskins Rule" works.

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