Sarah Palin to Drop Flyers' First Puck

The Flyers announced today that VP candidate Sarah Palin will drop the first puck at the team's season opener on Saturday. Apparently it has something to do with the "hockey mom" thing, which Ed Snider seems to be equating with positive attention to the sport.

“Because of the tremendous amount of publicity she has brought to our sport, we invited the most popular hockey mom in North America to our home opener to help us get our season started,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider who founded the Flyers in 1967. “We are very excited she has accepted our offer and we are very proud of the publicity she is generating for hockey moms and the sport of hockey.”

I'm not one to get political in a social setting, and definitely not here, but I do agree with the Inq's Nathan Gorenstein—they're really running the risk of starting their season off to a chorus of boos. It has nothing to do with what party she's representing, although Philly definitely has its predilictions in that regard. But at this stage of a presidential election, people tend to get pretty polarized, and vocal. Should be interesting. 

Previously:
>>Sarah Palin is a regular old South Philly gal
>>Sarah Palin was for the Phillies before she was against them

Comments

[chris]

stupid idea!

[Johnny G]

Is it weird that I'd do her?

btw has there been any signs of biron's new goalie mask?

[Emidio]

definitely a bad idea, because I'm sure the boos will be loud and plentiful.

[MSM]

This is so dumb. After all the good vibes from the Spectrum games, there is no way this will be well received. She should be kissing butt in middle PA, where she might actually be able to get some votes.

Notably, I don't vote in PA, but I'm still pretty sure she's going to get one loud round of Philly boos. I wonder if Michael Nutter or Ed Rendell will be there to stand next to her and smile fakely?

[Matt P]

Johnny, no, and no.

I heard about the retro mask, but no pics have emerged yet.

[DLo34]

This is a bad move. She will get booed. Flyers fans are the most working class team out of them all! How many union workers do you think will be in attendance at the game??? Now they want a Republican to drop the puck???

Look, Ed Snider is the best owner in this city, but there are a lot of other people who have brought attention to the sport, not just this politician. If we are going to get so far reaching, then why not have the kid from Mighty Ducks/Dawson's Creek, Joshua Jackson sing the national anthem? What about Casey Jones' character from the Ninja Turtles? They brought just as much attention to the game if not more than Sarah Palin.

[Wilson]

I'd rather have a pit bull wearing lipstick...

[Brad]

well, this season is cursed

[Jeffrey]

Broken link! Broken link! Aaaaaahhh!

[Debt Relief]

I think it is cool. Tell me what hockey fan, if asked, whould not jump at the chance of dropping the first puck for any game!

[How do you spell retard?]

This is a bad move. She will get booed. Flyers fans are the most working class team out of them all! How many union workers do you think will be in attendance at the game???

As many 'working-class guys' that can afford to drop several c-notes on a hockey game?

I hate the 'working-class' quote. Try working in a department store dealing with all those coupon-crazed soccer moms for a nickel over minimum wage and no benefits.
That's a sucky job.

[MPR529]

at first when I read the blurb on PuckDaddy I though, wow, this is dumb. Boos = bad press for her and the republicans. I'm an independent, voting libertarian this year for the first time instead of republican. They lost my vote when Palin came aboard.

anyway, after reading the comments and realizing who we're playing that night, I don't mind getting the fans all riled up a with this. I know that's not the intention of the republicans, but as a fan, if I were there and seeing that **** drop the puck, I'd poo the piss out of her. Then I'd turn to the nearest rangers fan and "get up out of my chair, go to the windows, stick my head out, and yell, 'LET'S GO FLYERS!' " right in their ranger-loving face.

yeah, I like this idea now.

[wolf]

what if sarah palin is the new kate smith? they will change your view on her and possible abortion.

[mattindc]

Isn't Joe Biden from right down the road in Wilmington? I will be severely disappointed if this lady is not booed right out of there with extreme contempt.

[Jasonb]

It's not really a question of IF people will boo. It's more about how long or how loud they'll do so.

[Mike]

Does not compute.

[DLo34]

@ "How do you spell retard" (cool name - ever think how "sucky" it is to have a mental disability - way to be a man of the people while you're on your soap box)

I. Well my friend, part of the reason those folks do not have benefits and have terrible wages is because the Republican party has done so much and worked so hard to bust all of the union-membership.

You're "point" runs itself into the ground because you do not realize that it is the Republican party (through legislation) and conservative big business like Wal-Mart who over the past 8 years has destroyed many unions. Unions help those folks that have no benefits and bad wages. Now you want a woman who represents union-busting to come into a blue collar city and drop the puck? Good idea.

II. Well, yes the game is expensive and a lot of the working class, like my family does not sit in the club box or lower level. We sit in the upper level and do not need to drop a "couple of c-notes" on the game.

III. Based on your point, it really seems like you have never been to a Flyers game before in your life; or if you have you only sat in the lower level.

[bcapp]

What's the difference between Sarah Palin and the New York Rangers?

Nothing. They both wear lipstick.

[UncleHorns]

Boos?

You Betcha!

[Bob]

The national media will be ready to eat this up so make sure those of you in attendance get your best boos in.
LETS GO FLYERS!!

[MPR529]

ZING!

[Driz]

Say it ain't so, Ed.

Yuck. Just, yuck.

[Jay]

I thought this bimbo is a basketball fan. In every other sentence she's talking about the NBA team from Dallas. BOO THIS WOMAN BACK TO ALASKA!!!!

[Steve]

Well she'll definitely get a good taste of what Joe Six Pack in Philly thinks of her.

[Jeffrey]

@Steve In Philly, it's 'Joe Twelve Pack.'

[Tie Manna]

Can we PLEASE never again bring politics onto this web site again.
What do you think would have happened if some one started talking about politics in the real 700 during a birds game??

They would have empty beer cups thrown at them and told to leave the dam section...

In keeping with tradition...

LEAVE POLITICS OUT OF SPORTS CONVERSATIONS!!!!!!!

PLEASE?

[Ldaley]

How could the Flyers invite Sarah Palin to the opening game? I am so disappointed and disgusted with the Flyers organization because of this. She is an insult to all women, men and sport fans.

[digi]

Can anyone help me come up with a plan to smuggle snowballs into this game...?

[Nick]

You guys think boos?
How about in true hockey format, a hockey-rhythmed chant: F*ck-you-Pa-lin ::clap clap clap clap clap:: F*ck-you-Palin ::clap clap clap clap clap::

[bobble head joe]

oh man, this is a terrible idea. i can't wait to hear the boos. wait, isn't she a rangers fan anyway?

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_klein/20081005_Inqlings__But_will_Palin_lose_votes_in_Dallas_.html

[Jeffrey]

Attention politics fans: Before you force Enrico to close the comments down on this post (like on the last Palin post), consider moving your conversation to here or here.

[doubleh]

This is a very bad idea. Think she'll wear a Rangers sweater to the game?

That's what she was wearing apparently when she ran into someone in an elevator in Philly who gave her a McNabb jersey to wear instead.

[ron]

Sociologically speaking, hockey is an unspoken touchstone for racism in the Philadelphia area.

Look in the mirror Flyer fans and ask yourselves why she's here.

[doubleh]

Ron: She's here as a PR move by the Flyers, nothing more. She's stumping for a campaign, and the more exposure she can get, the better.

The Flyers are using this whole "hockey mom" thing to their advantage. They have a very aggressive marketing dept. While I applaud their moxy; I just think it's going to backfire. Politics aside, she's a lightening rod--and it's best to stay far, far away from her.

[JF]

I think John McCain should come drop the puck... if he can stand on the ice. But good for Palin and whoever boos her isnt a true flyers fan.

[TheMajor]

so how quickly after the game do were hear about santa claus being pelted, batteries and the flare gun? its dumb for no other reason than that. I think for the most part alot philly fans just hate politicians. except rendell since he is related to the whole snowball thing

[DLo34]

@ Tie Manna

I don't think it is the700level's fault or the commenter's fault for bringing politics into sports. It is 100% the Philadelphia Flyers organization's fault for tying the two together. In fact, I just received one of those Flyers texts which announced the Palin appearance; IT IS SPORTS NEWS. 700level is just reporting the sports news and we are just commenting on it. Everything about McNabb and the NAACP was politics, should we not discuss that? Everything about McNabb and Rush Limbaugh was politics, should we not discuss that? Where will it end? For these reasons, I do not feel compelled at all to follow your sensorship tact.

[doubleh]

JF: What? I can't be a Flyers fan and dislike Sarah Palin? That's news to me. What's the difference between booing her and say, Britney Spears? Just another celebrity I don't like. It just so happens Palin is running for an office for which she is extremely unqualified.

[Joe]

I think you guys underestimate the number of suburban males who will be in attendance. MontCo is heavily Republican, the city is Democrat. Expect "Nationals Opening Pitch" reception that Bush got. 50/50.

[doubleh]

Oh, and whoever said to leave politics out of sports--sports and politics are inexorably tied and always have been since the first Olympic games. It's impossible to completely divorce the two.

[TheMajor]

@doubleh I agree I dont care if you are the pope if I don't like you I am going to boo you. just because shes a hockey mom and running for vice president doesn't mean I am not a fan for booing her. If I am displeased with you you will hear it from me.

[DLo34]

@ JF

"whoever boos her isnt a true flyers fan."

Are you serious? So now all of a sudden your allegiance to a sports team is directly coupled to your allegiance to your basic political beliefs? That might be one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard.

What basis do you have to say this?

First of all, for the most part, the City of Philadelphia is Democrat. Are you saying a true Flyers fan is a Republican?

Second, this City booed Santa, does that mean they were not true Eagles fans because they disrespected a modern symbol for a Christian holiday?

Third, so what? Are we supposed to cheer this woman who is not a Flyers fan just because the organization wanted her out there? That sounds like a slippery slope towards sports teams selecting political candidates. This is not like the current president throwing out the first pitch at a ball game, this is a sports organization selectively picking a political party one month before one of the most pivotal elections in this nation's history.

In fact, I would not be surprised if some fans turn their tickets in or ask for a refund. This is in essence a forced political rally with a captive audience. The fans have already paid their money to go to the game, now, and regardless of their political views they will have to be subjected to an appearance by a political candidate they do not support. I bet some folks will ask for their money back.

[MPR529]

@ron: hockey is an unspoken touchstone for racism in the Philadelphia area.

please explain that one, I'm a bit confused.

[doubleh]

MPR529: I think Ron means that hockey is primarily played by whites and has an audience primarily comprised by same. But I fail to see how that's our fault. Hockey is expensive and ice is often hard to find; could be the reason minorities choose basketball over the sport.

[HLH]

The only thing I wanna see Palin drop in Philadelphia is her pants at cheerleaders!

But whats the deal with her and all the Philly stuff? Is she an actual fan or is she just in Philadelphia alot?

[doubleh]

HLH: She is not a fan. PA is a major campaign state and Philly and Pittsburgh are primarily Democratic cities--she and McCain are trying to get swing candidates to switch to Republican. She doesn't care about Philly or its residents any more than any other politician. Campaigns are disgusting really...

[MPR529]

@doubleh: that's what I was thinking, but the way he worded it it almost sounded like there was some sort of history in Philly about Flyers fans being racist.

who knows.

[drew]

i didnt know ed snider was a neo-con... wow..
you are wrong, ed. this woman does not represent hockey. she represents some perverted idea that common people can share some invisable bond with a person who does not care about philly, pennsy, any blue state for that matter, or this country.
do we believe she drove her kids to 4am practices, sat through hockey clinics, filmed her kids games, attened them all??? i am sure there are many more children of better hockeymoms in here.
this is a political move by a - now out of the closet - supporter of the insane policies of this woman and her running mate (atleast that is how she puts it)
anyways, i hope they give her a philly welcome :)
the days of chuckn snowballs at santa are over (since now you forfit the game and your season tickets) but players have told me that the worst part about playing in philly was listening to the fans. the torment they go through when visiting any surface in this town makes their stomachs upset.
imagin how she will feel when this puckdrop is over.

[ron]

doubleh is close - The socioeconomics of hockey do exclude underprivileged minorities, and that is not an average working class hockey fan's fault, just an unfortunate coincidence.

I am a middle class, mildly educated white guy and I've lived all over this area and sat in lots of taprooms in my time. From Macdade Blvd to NE Philly from South Philly to Washington Twp... Maybe I have a drinking problem...

Anyway it is my personal experience the topic of hockey fans eventually turns to race. "This is the sport for our guys", "You don't see all of that hootin' and carrying on like in basketball." "That Donald Brashear sure is scary"...

Perhaps I'm sitting in the wrong bars, living in the wrong neighborhoods, and talking to idiots, and I'll grant you that it's a subtle racism, but the undercurrent exists and it makes me uncomfortable.

This is not a case of promotion for the Flyers, but a case of the McCain-Palin ticket knowing precisely where their base sits.

That being said this is probably not the forum for such hyperbole. I know lots of educated, literate, and non-racist Flyer fans, so I'm sorry for throwing an ill-advised blanket over one of Philly's more fervent fan bases. That's pretty unfair of me...

[Nick]

I am just unsure of the reasons she is coming. To me, the equation looks a little like this:

75-80% democratic city + most ruthless/passionate sports fans in America = media sensation/republican embarrassment.

What positives could come out of this for the John McCain campaign?