Douglas Alexander: “I rise to propose that we turn the Presidential nominating process over to the National Football League, except for…”

“I rise to propose that we turn the Presidential nominating process over to the National Football League, except for Super Bowl half-time shows. Then maybe we can have a second Super Bowl, where anything is possible and everyone can participate. Take the example of our colleague Senator Kerry's team--I am sure the Senator from Vermont will be quick to point out it is the team of many Senators from New England--the New England Patriots. Last night, they became the Super Bowl champions. On September 12, in the season's first game, the Buffalo Bills trounced the Patriots 31 to 0. If this had been the first-in-the-Nation Presidential nominating caucus, the Patriots would have been toast. You know the pundits' rule: Only three tickets out of Iowa. The Patriots certainly didn't look like one of the three best professional football teams. Then, the Washington Redskins defeated the Patriots, as unlikely as it would have been for Dennis Kucinich to upend Senator Kerry in New Hampshire. But in the National Football League, upsets don't end the season. The Patriots played 14 more games. They won them all. Yesterday, they beat the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl for their 15th consecutive win. The National Football League schedules 20 weeks of contests over 5 months to determine its champion.”