NCAA Bet As Campaign Tactic
Sure, it's fun to fill out your brackets. And sometimes, it can even score political points.
KY LG Daniel Mongiardo (D) and his primary rival, AG Jack Conway (D), have been engaged in low-level friendly fire for the better part of a year as they race to replace Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY). The bitter primary has gone so far that it could threaten the party's chances to hold the seat, come Nov.
But basketball is religion in KY, and everyone can have some fun around tournament time.
In that spirit, Mongiardo has offered a "friendly" wager to Conway -- one that would drive one of Mongiardo's favorite narratives. Mongiardo loves reminding voters he graduated from UK's medical school, while Conway is an alum of hated UK rival Duke. Both schools are 1 seeds in this year's tournament.
"I am a proud Kentucky graduate, as I know Jack Conway is a proud Duke graduate. In the spirit of friendly competition, I offer Jack a friendly wager that Kentucky will advance further in the tournament than Duke," Mongiardo said in a statement Monday morning.
If UK goes farther than Duke in the tournament, Conway would have to take Mongiardo golfing at a Louisville country club. If Duke wins more games, Mongiardo would have to take Conway on a turkey hunt in Western KY.
Reinforcing Conway's out-of-state degree and his membership at a posh urban golf club while bolstering his own ties to the more rural part of the state? A smart move for Mongiardo's campaign. On the other hand, we doubt Conway -- a Louisville native, for anyone keeping score -- is going to bet on any team other than UK or Louisville this year (Fun times: Louisville, a 9 seed in the South region, could face Duke in the second round).
Update: Not to be left out of a good primary fight, Sec/State Trey Grayson (R) has a web ad accusing his opponent, ophthalmologist Rand Paul (R), of rooting against the home-state team as well. Paul went to Duke for medical school.
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I adore this time of year. The tournament is the best thing going! If only D1 Football would pay attention!
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The NCAA Basketball Tournament 2010 has left the Elite Eight group after the last match of Duke vs Bayl0r, which is won by Duke in 78-71 for Duke
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