Partisan barriers broken down in the name of baseball bets
(CNN) – Apparently all it takes to break through Washington's seemingly never-ending cycle of partisan gridlock and stubbornness is a couple of devoted baseball fans.
The proof is in the pudding. Well, actually, it's in the pecan pie.
Republican Texas Rep. Joe Barton has represented the congressional district that houses the American League champion Texas Rangers since 1985. The Rangers will face off against the San Francisco Giants in their first World Series in their 50-year history on Wednesday night.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has represented the San Francisco district that's home to the Giants for nearly 20 years.
Barton and Pelosi placed a friendly wager Tuesday on the outcome of the World Series. If the Giants take the championship, Pelosi will be rewarded with a deep-dish pecan pie from Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas. If the Rangers make history, Barton will revel in the richness of San Francisco's Ghirardelli chocolate.
The bet wouldn't be complete without some across-the-aisle trash talking.
"I thought the Rangers winning the World Series for the first time would be sweet enough, but when Speaker Pelosi put some Ghirardelli's chocolate on the line – I knew victory would be even sweeter!" Barton said in a statement.
Not to be outdone, Pelosi fired back: "While Texas is famous for its two-step, I am about to show Congressman Barton my own: first the Giants will be victorious; second, I will enjoy his pecan pie."
The best-of-seven series begins Wednesday night in San Francisco. The Giants, despite having home field advantage, are considered the underdog.
Pelosi is already due a supply of Hershey's chocolate from Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter as a result of the Giants defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series.
Likewise, after the New York Yankees fell to the Rangers in the American League Championship Series, Barton was put on the receiving end of an assortment of gourmet New York deli specialties from Rep. Jose Serrano.
May the Giants and Pelosi lose everything.
This is news? Remember those Iraq documents? Yeah, good times.
I have an idea. Lets make all legislation sports themed. Maybe then we can get something done!
Personally I would like to see the Cubs in a World Series (that curse has lasted way too long), but it's good to see that there's still some place for good ole sportsmanship in the Congress...
This just shows how much of a joke all politicians are.
I don`t want the example of non_partisanship to be betting over frigging baseball.
They can fight like hell over this silly game. Where they need to be coOoperating is on passing legislation that addresses the root cause of our problems.
For example. Social Security is out of money because prior presidents spent contributions as they were coming in INSTEAD of saving them. Nixon, Carter, Reagan,Bush1, Clinton, Bush2. why aren`t we holding them ACCOUNTABLE for the mess they created.
That is the true face of DC, they all appear in public to hate one another but in reality they all regularly count the money they've made off the backs of the common taxpayer together. That is exactly why term limits and career politicians need to hit the bricks come November!
WOW.......Maybe if we dangle food in front of these members of Congress they might really get some work done for a change.