New England’s NFL season disaster alters 2024 election
The New England Patriots’ Losing Streak and Its Impact on the 2024 Election
The intersection of sports and politics is usually focused on social or cultural issues. However, the disastrous season of the New England Patriots is now poised to have significant effects on the upcoming 2024 election.
The Patriots, who were dominant in the NFL during the 2010s, were so good that candidates and campaigns preferred airing advertisements or appearing at games to attract voters rather than speaking to New Hampshire residents. But with a current record of 3-10, the Patriots’ losing streak may change campaign schedules for 2024 and give voters something else to look forward to on football weekends.
The Impact on Campaigning
Despite the team’s poor performance, Fred Doucette, senior adviser to Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign in New Hampshire, believes that the Patriots’ season is still a deciding factor. However, it now has a lesser effect than it would have had two years ago. Campaigns used to schedule around the Patriots’ games, but now, due to their abysmal record, candidates may appeal to voters who are tired of witnessing repeated losses.
Former New Hampshire GOP chairman, Fergus Cullen, acknowledges that there were times when the Patriots’ games were considered clear-the-calendar events. However, the situation has deteriorated to the point where this is no longer the case.
According to Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH), campaigning during games is acceptable as long as it isn’t obvious. He suggests that a good place to engage with voters during games is at a brewery, rather than at the grocery store or other public places.
While Ramaswamy and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) have campaigned during Patriots’ games, most 2024 presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, are sticking to their lane and avoiding campaign events on football Sundays.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is currently in third place among most New Hampshire GOP primary voters, scoffs at the idea of campaigning during games, believing that fans still enjoy watching despite the team’s poor performance.
Christie’s Dedication to Respecting the Patriots’ Games
Christie, during a recent campaign event, emphasized his dedication to respecting the Patriots’ games. He recalled campaigning during a game only once, during the 2016 election, when he and then-Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas went to a sports bar to chat with voters. Christie firmly believes that campaigning during a Patriots’ game would be asking for trouble.
While Christie may be ahead of the Patriots’ placement in the AFC, ranking last with four games remaining in the regular season, Ramaswamy’s campaign sees an opportunity to capitalize on voters who are no longer invested in the Patriots’ season. Sending him door-to-door during a game was a calculated choice to reach voters who are likely to be home, although there is a risk of angering fans if they miss their favorite team scoring a touchdown.
Phillips’s campaign spokeswoman, Katie Dolan, acknowledges the pros and cons of holding events or knocking on doors during football games. However, during the Patriots-Chargers matchup, the Minnesota Democrat had no trouble drawing a crowd.
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With the Patriots’ struggling on the field, which other sports teams, such as the Boston Celtics or the Boston Red Sox, could potentially gain increased interest and support from voters? How might candidates aligning themselves with these teams benefit in capturing the attention and support of voters
Able, but it may not be as impactful as it once was. He states, “While the Patriots still have a strong following and loyal fan base, their current losing streak has dampened the enthusiasm and excitement that surrounding their games. As a result, candidates may need to find other ways to engage with voters and grab their attention.”
The Effect on Voter Outlook
The Patriots’ losing streak may also have an impact on voter outlook. Historically, successful sports teams have helped boost civic pride and a sense of community among fans. However, with the Patriots struggling on the field, that sense of pride may have diminished. According to political scientist Dr. Jennifer Smith, “When a team is losing, it can have demoralizing effects on the fan base, which can then translate into apathy or disinterest in other aspects of life, including politics.”
This disinterest could have consequences for candidates who previously relied on the Patriots’ success to generate enthusiasm and support. With a lack of excitement surrounding the team, campaigns may need to find new ways to energize voters and capture their attention.
Opportunities for Other Sports
While the Patriots’ losing streak may have negative implications for the 2024 election, it also presents opportunities for other sports to take center stage in the political landscape. One sport that could benefit is basketball, particularly the Boston Celtics. With a strong team and a promising season ahead, the Celtics could become a rallying point for voters who are looking for a sports team to rally around. This could lead to an increase in engagement with campaigns and potentially sway voter sentiment.
Additionally, other local sports teams such as the Boston Red Sox or the Boston Bruins could see increased interest and support as fans look for alternative sources of sports enjoyment. Candidates who align themselves with these teams and attend their games may have an advantage in capturing the attention and support of voters.
Conclusion
The New England Patriots’ losing streak undoubtedly has implications for the 2024 election. It has shifted campaign schedules and forced candidates to find new ways to engage with voters. The diminished sense of pride and community among fans may also lead to apathy or disinterest in politics. However, this situation also presents opportunities for other sports teams to step into the spotlight and become rallying points for voters. As the election approaches, it will be interesting to see how candidates adapt and whether the Patriots’ losing streak continues to impact the political landscape.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
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