Baseball and Politics

Looking back on the past year-plus, the most remarkable part of the embarrassing political war over the stadium is that it really didn't need to happen. For evidence of that, look across the Potomac to Virginia.

In his first weeks in office, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is already doing what D.C. Mayor Tony Williams should have done at any point over the past 16 months if he were really serious about getting past the brinksmanship that became synonymous with the Nationals baseball franchise.

As the Post's Michael Shear reports, Virginia Gov. Kaine is preparing to take his war against his state's transportation ills to the people. To push hard for a combination of taxes and fees that would pay for new transit and road improvements in northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, the governor is getting ready to lobby Virginia voters to in turn pressure their state legislators. Kaine's tools: radio ads, a direct-mail campaign, and robocalls to voters.

Very interesting take on the situation, and I agree with it.  A governor's job is not to get along with everyone, it's to get things done.  Sure, it's great if he can get along with everyone AND get things done, but sometimes he has to play political hardball.  To continue the strained sports metaphors, politics ain't beanbag or softball, it's more like a rugby scrum or hockey game much of the time.  At times, a leader can simply sit back and watch his team perform.  But other times, a manager/coach/governor needs to step in there, get in the umpire's face, give his team a tongue lashing, change pitchers, bench the quarterback, or reset the offense.  In politics, you've got different tools and different goals than in sports, and they go by different names.  But, in many ways, sports and politics are not so dissimilar after all.  For starters, nobody wants to lose and everyone loves a winner. 

My prediction?  Governor Kaine will take his transportation case to the people and he will hit a home run.  The "Neanderthals" (as one commenter on "Raw Fisher" calls them) in Richmond - particularly the knuckle draggers in the House of Delegates - will strike out.  And the game will go on for another 8 innings or so, as Tim Kaine turns to other important problems facing our great Commonwealth.  We'll see who's left standing come the bottom of the ninth...

P.S.  I'm thrilled to see this deal finally get done, and look forward to many seasons of the Washington Nationals.  Play ball!

[UPDATE:  As I make my way through the Washington Post today, I see that it is chock full of sports cliches.  Here's a good one: Budget Battle Edges Toward Overtime: Va. Lawmakers Wrestling Over Transportation Funds.  Except, in keeping with our baseball theme, shouldn't it have been "Budget Battle Edges Towards Extra Innings?"  And, along those lines, how many extra innings..er, months...are we talking about here anyway?  Will the General Assembly finish the game, or will it still be tied, 0-0, come the 14th, 15th, or 16th innings...er, April, May, or June?  Will we have "March Madness" in Virginia, but not just on the basketball court?  Will the Nationals have played 10, 20, 30, or 40 games by the time our fine Delegates and Senators in Richmond head back to the dugout?  Heck, will its new stadium be built by then?  Who knows, but Governor Kaine - in keeping with the sports cliches - says, "I still think there's some chance we could reach a solution in regulation."  Regulation, huh?  Well, who knows.  In the meantime, I suggest we all settle in for a beer, some popcorn, and a comfortable seat.  This could be a LONG game, whatever sport it happens to be in season.]

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