Hillary 'Eloquent': Just Ask ESPN

Politics has once again managed to work its way onto the pages of ESPN. I recently wrote about Kenny Mayne adopting "Obama!" as a new signature call. For the record, Mayne wrote me to say that he was an independent, didn't intend any political overtones by "Obama!" and didn't realize, when agreeing to endorse Progressive Insurance, that head honcho Peter Lewis is a huge donor to a variety of left-wing causes including MoveOn.org.

This morning's online ESPN edition brings an article by Jason Sobel discussing, among other things, Tiger Woods' political potential. The item is prompted by Woods' appearance this week as host of a new tournament at the famed Congressional Country Club, just outside D.C. Observes author Sobel: "Hey, he's already among the world's most recognizable figures. Now he practically holds the key to the nation's capital by bringing professional golf to an area that was devoid of any tournaments when the tour's schedule was first announced. It's no secret that Congressional's first club president also happened to be a U.S. president, as Herbert Hoover resided in that capacity and fellow commanders in chief William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge and Woodrow Wilson acted as founding life members."

That's when things get sticky. In lauding Woods, Sobel says "Tiger is as as distinguished as Barack Obama, as eloquent as Hillary Clinton, as esteemed as Rudy Giuliani."

Granted, Sobel was probably just reaching for comparisons. But of all the adjectives one might employ in describing Hillary, surely "eloquent" is not among them. Even if you were seeking to be complimentary, you could call her "determined," or "purposeful," perhaps even "redoubtable." But eloquent? She of the nails-on-blackboard shriek? Hey, for that matter, Barack might be a pretty cool customer, but what makes the one-term senator "distinguished"?

For the record, the article quotes Tiger as denying any political ambitions. And I have not known him to express any explicitly political opinions. But I'm going out on a limb and guessing that this ultimate example of success through hard work is not a liberal. Evidence:

• The article reports that Woods is offering complimentary tickets to the tournament to "men and women serving in the military, as well as a variety of other ways of giving back to the troops throughout the week."
• Tiger quoted in article: "Even though my dad was retired, I basically grew up on a military base," he says. "And just understanding the commitment that it takes each and every day for the servicemen and women, what they do for us, I just think that it was something that would have been and should be honored, and that's why we're doing it. What they are doing right now for us, and for us back home, it's just a way to say thank you."
• From article: "On Wednesday, Woods will play three holes of the pro-am with former President George H.W. Bush."
• On the heels of his historic Masters win in 1997, Tiger famously turned down then Pres. Clinton's invitation to appear with him at a ceremony honoring Jackie Robinson at Shea Stadium. Maureen Dowd slammed Tiger in a column called Tiger's Double Bogey.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net