politics and athletes

Listening to At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash.  It is a fantastic live album, probably the best one I own.  

I watched a segment of First Take on epsn this morning.  They were debating whether or not athletes (they also mentioned musicians and actors) should openly support politicians.  A few football players from the Cleveland Browns organization have been to McCain rallies and a few have been to Obama rallies.  These players have also come out and are quoted in news papers as to supporting those candidates.  Of course they have the right to do so, but I'm on the fence on this.  

Historically speaking, Ohio is huge when it comes to the election, everyone knows that.  A big swing state, plenty of electoral votes.  The fact that the Browns are in Ohio, I think, is one reason why this can be important.  If these athletes are popular amongst the fans, some may vote for who the athlete supports.  Of course basing your vote on someone else's opinion is ridiculous.  So there is that, but still, that could be a lot of votes for one candidate or the other.  Imagine the presidential election being decided in Ohio, the election being close, and this kind of story being out there.  

This could be nothing, just a slow sports news day.  I highly doubt anything will come of this, and if it were taking place in a state like Minnesota or Colorado, it wouldn't be worth talking about.  It all has to do with location, and this time it is Ohio.