June 26, 2009
Posted: June 26th, 2009 02:30 PM ET

From

WASHINGTON (CNN) – It may be months before Democrats and Republicans know the outcome of the heated battle over health care - but another high-stakes contest between the two parties will be resolved Friday night, when staffers take the field for the annual softball faceoff.

The contest may not be as heated as the battle over Iran policy, but it does provoke some politically-oriented trash talk.

"We are confident about the game tonight," said Republican National Committee Press Secretary Gail Gitcho. "Especially since we hear the DNC team is like the stimulus package - slow, ineffective and falls way short of expectations."

"Given how quickly their numbers are dwindling, we're surprised the RNC was able to find nine Republicans to field a team," said Hari Sevugan, press secretary for the Democratic National Committee.

The Democratic Party may have been on a winning streak over the past three years, taking control of Congress and the White House - but the GOP has held bragging rights on the diamond, with the RNC trumping the DNC three years in a row. Going into Friday's game, the DNC holds a 5-1 record this year while the RNC is undefeated, winning the only game they've played, 7-2.

Gitcho and Sevugan have raised the stakes by placing a wager on the outcome of the contest. Each organization sends a daily morning e-mail to reporters. The press secretary for the winning team Friday will write the top story - a game summary - for the opposing team's morning press e-mail on Monday. And the losing press secretary will have a day-long reminder of their defeat: an e-mail signature featuring the final score of the game.

Filed under: DNC • RNC


Vito   June 26th, 2009 6:30 pm ET

Just when you think Congress has run out of ways to waste money and time...

I am Newt's ex wife   June 26th, 2009 5:47 pm ET

Rush Limebaugh, self appointed commissioner, has declared a forfeit for the GOP 47-1.

After the game ....the GOP team will be leaving for Argentina

Shonie   June 26th, 2009 5:28 pm ET

So when the democrats lose they'll be crying for "fairness" and saying they didn't lose because it hurts their self-esteem...Wonder if they even keep score?

surplus-to-a-deficit republican   June 26th, 2009 5:11 pm ET

Now, THAT's a stimulous package!!

Montuckyian   June 26th, 2009 5:04 pm ET

Out of curiosity, who officiates? Because if they are to officiate themselves, that could make for some really entertaining dust-kicking.

andy   June 26th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

Can either side afford to play? The govt controls the games, taxes tickets and refreshments. Anyone get hurt, they have to wait for govt controled socialist medicine to approve treatment. I hope the ambulance needed was not built by govt owned GM..

Conservative and Proud   June 26th, 2009 4:38 pm ET

I heard at one point the Republicans yelled to Joe Biden "Number 2 in the executive branch, Number 2 on the field!"

GuyInVA   June 26th, 2009 4:36 pm ET

It should be hard for the DNC to cover every position with all those lefties on the team.

D-Nice   June 26th, 2009 4:28 pm ET

Softball? Sounds like Palin's area of expertise. Maybe they should have Hannity pitch to her just to keep things "fair and balanced".

Rush   June 26th, 2009 4:20 pm ET

Hopefully this game will go to extra innings so the Dems will stop spending our money at historical rates for a few hours. LET'S GO GOP!

Thomas5   June 26th, 2009 4:15 pm ET

Wow, 9 posts and nobody has blamed Bush for anything yet.

You leftards are getting slack.

SHAME   June 26th, 2009 4:05 pm ET

Now this is news we can use!!!!

Hello!!!! There is a big battle going on right now regarding the climate/enery bill, I guess this is one of those they are trying to get through quietly because the media is not reporting the news. When your utilities sky rocket, and you dont get your 2% raise because of company expenses or you lose your job you will have ANOTHER REASON THANKS TO PELOSI AND GANG.

Right Leaning Independent   June 26th, 2009 3:51 pm ET

Good Jabs by both sides! Sounds like fun..

George Arlington, TX.   June 26th, 2009 3:51 pm ET

lets get the health care settled quickly. The longer the republicans stall the more deaths . The fat cats have the $ to survive. The out of work low class are just in their way.

Pres Obama keep their feet to the fire.

Teleprompter of the U.S.A.   June 26th, 2009 3:46 pm ET

Probably hard for the DNC to find a Democrat that doesn't throw a crooked ball.

Your daddy   June 26th, 2009 3:41 pm ET

I want to see lots of brush back pitches and high slides. High time this fight got real, all across America.

Jason   June 26th, 2009 3:19 pm ET

This is trash talk Steven A. Smith and Stuart Scott would be proud of.

DT   June 26th, 2009 3:13 pm ET

Stick to them Repubs...Dems got this...

dustin   June 26th, 2009 3:12 pm ET

Am i missing something, the DNC is 5-1 and the RNC only played one game, who exactly has the DNC been playing then? The independents? Do they swing from both sides of the plate?

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