Every year and for nearly every sport, ESPN interviews President Barack Obama on his picks. Earlier this year we saw his Super Bowl pick and Wednesday his NCAA bracket. Why should I care what he thinks or any President for that matter? Because I don’t.
I understand why ESPN’s Andy Katz took the assignment. It is a great opportunity to get exclusive access to the White House and meet the President. Not many people can say they have done that. His coverage is also fantastic for the resume tape.
But what is ESPN’s fascination with getting the commander-in-chief’s perspective in the upcoming tournament? I get that Obama appears to be down-to-earth and enjoys watching sports like many other Americans. I honestly don’t care that he picked Kansas to win it all or he likes San Diego State. I doubt that others are intrigued by his picks and make chances to their bracket based on his. But it is fun in the end to see what your buddies picked because you are always trying to joke with them and prove why you are smarter.
He did admit that he has been a little busy lately caring to United States matters and the disasters that have occurred in Japan. I see nothing wrong with him filling out a bracket and participating in a pool. However I don’t care to turn on ESPN or visit ESPN.com and have full coverage from the White House be thrown in my face.
President Obama didn’t take the time to go through the entire bracket but he did go team by team for the Sweet Sixteen. He does have both Purdue and Notre Dame advancing to the Sweet Sixteen but then makes a surprise pick for the Elite eight.
Katz: “So this is an interesting in-state rivalry. Purdue and Notre Dame. What do you like there?”
President Obama: “Tough one. But in the end I think that Purdue is going to be able to pull it out.”
If you actually care to watch the President fill out his bracket alongside Andy Katz, it can be viewed here.