12/21/24
May 24, 2006
Are You Ready For Some Jeb-Ball?: Florida Governor Jeb Bush has been approached by the National Football League as a possible replacement for retiring Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. After dealing with the Florida Legislature, NFL owners should be a piece of cake for the "smart Bush brother."
posted by The_Black_Hand to football at 06:57 AM - 39 comments
Rather have him run the NFL than make a run at the White House.
posted by jerseygirl at 08:40 AM on May 24, 2006
I think there was a lawsuit about Jeb's stake in the Jaguars, so it might be a touchy situation. I hope the NFL picks a football guy, and not someone outside of the NFL.
posted by bperk at 08:40 AM on May 24, 2006
rcade: The NFL needs a commish who wants the job for the long run, not someone with political ambitions elsewhere. Amen, brother. I remember when Peter Ueberroth was commissioner of baseball. While he wasn't devastating in the position, there was constant talk that he was using baseball as a springboard to higher office. His pursuit of evidence of collusion between owners to keep free agent salaries in control seemed ridiculous to me, and while I am sure there are plenty of people who know where to find it, I have never read anything that laid out evidence it happened. I felt that he was positioning himself as a reformer. In the process, IMHO, Ueberroth set the tone that made the MLB Players Association the USA's strongest union, which is part of the reason drug policies have dragged behind the other sports. He eventually ran for Governor of California during the 2003 election after the recall of Gray Davis, but was one of the serious people ignored when Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy alongside nuts like Gary Coleman and porn star Mary Carey. I still have to shake my head every time I say "Governor Schwarzenegger."
posted by L.N. Smithee at 08:56 AM on May 24, 2006
He rigged the votes in Florida so his brother can be President. What will he do to the NFL?
posted by Wellsville at 09:22 AM on May 24, 2006
Not a good choice.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:50 AM on May 24, 2006
I LIKE football, please, no Condi Rice, no Jeb Bush, no Henry Kissinger either. How about a lawyer noone has heard of again? Well... If Cheney hasn't already shot him. Frankly, this just isn't a good time for anyone to be cozying up to the Elephant party, they need to hire someone not known for their political views or connections. I mean, couldn't they have found someone more divisive that Billy-Bob Bush?? Maybe Hillary? Personally, I think "Stedman" should get the job. He's already lived for years with a spoiled rich "partner" he has to keep from walking away from the table. If he can keep Oprah's crazy a-- in line, Gene Upshaw will be a no-brainer.
posted by LostInDaJungle at 10:40 AM on May 24, 2006
Wellsville: He rigged the votes in Florida so his brother can be President. Uh huh. And Jimmy Hoffa's buried under the end zone in Giants Stadium.
posted by L.N. Smithee at 10:42 AM on May 24, 2006
LostInDaJungle: Personally, I think "Stedman" should get the job...If he can keep Oprah's crazy a-- in line, Gene Upshaw will be a no-brainer. Who's keeping whom in line? You think Oprah isn't in charge of that relationship? The only thing bigger than Oprah's net worth is her ego. No matter what the fringe benefits were, I couldn't stand being held at arm's length for more than a decade the way Stedman has.
posted by L.N. Smithee at 10:52 AM on May 24, 2006
Hopefully we're getting to the end of the Bush run in any high-profile position. Next candidate, please.
posted by dyams at 11:18 AM on May 24, 2006
He rigged the votes in Florida so his brother can be President. That's enough of that. Don't turn this into a political discussion.
posted by rcade at 11:32 AM on May 24, 2006
Geez Smithee, is there anything you're not an expert on? When is your seminar? Do you have pamphlets? You seem like a guy who'd have pamphlets.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:35 AM on May 24, 2006
Wait, we don't get French Benefits?
posted by yerfatma at 11:52 AM on May 24, 2006
After he takes over will he launch an invasion of MLB? I hear they have WMD's in the form of hitters. Of course that could be just a rumor, but why let that stop him?
posted by commander cody at 12:09 PM on May 24, 2006
but Rcade, It was just getting fun. And smithee, there is plenty of literature out there on the subject. Maybe try reading some of it, any of it, at least something related to the subject before you oppose.
posted by everett at 12:17 PM on May 24, 2006
I personally think Jeb clampett would be a bad choice for commissioner. The job should go to Commisioner Gordon from batman!!....Come on the guy is already a commissioner!!!
posted by Grrrlacher at 12:47 PM on May 24, 2006
Wait, we don't get French Benefits? Dude, Steely Dan is not one person.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:18 PM on May 24, 2006
This reminds me of the joke about Reagan: When he announced his candidacy for governor of California somebody wisecracked, “Reagan for governor? No, Jimmy Stewart for governor. Reagan for best friend.” This is this Bush family equivalent, I'd say. W would have been harmless enough as Commissioner of baseball-- and I'm sure George and Barbara have been thinking of Jeb in the Oval Office since he was in high school.
posted by outside counsel at 01:27 PM on May 24, 2006
everett: And smithee, there is plenty of literature out there on the subject. Maybe try reading some of it, any of it, at least something related to the subject before you oppose. In respect to rcade, I will keep this short and sweet: I've read a bunch of it. Mostly it's echo chamber schtuff. There's no there there.
posted by L.N. Smithee at 01:30 PM on May 24, 2006
oh noooooooooo hope we don't start nfl football in iraq
posted by czar57 at 01:43 PM on May 24, 2006
oh noooooooooo hope we don't start nfl football in iraq Now THERE'S a good idea! It would certainly be better then the crap that's going on there now.
posted by commander cody at 01:47 PM on May 24, 2006
He rigged the votes in Florida so his brother can be President Completly inane. Smithee: I agree 100% with your first 3 comments. Dyams: As a long -time resident of this town, I must say that to underestimate the reach and scope of the Bush Dynasty & Good Old Boy Network is probably ill advised, har har! Dissatisfieds: In the words of Merle Haggard, "If you're runnin' down our country, hoss, you're walkin' on the fightin' side of me". Get a viable candidate, then make sure your party's followers show up at the polls, and we'll not have this discussion. Until then, live with it.
posted by mjkredliner at 02:14 PM on May 24, 2006
He is the wrong man for the job. Way too high profile. This would be a losing proposition for him (if he indeed intends to run for president one day) and a losing proposition for the NFL (if they don't want to be saddled with the appearance of being alligned with a specific political ideology). This is not to say he doesn't have the skills to be an excellent commisioner, just that his being the commisioner in light of his political career could be a mistake for everyone involved.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:21 PM on May 24, 2006
Rather have him run the NFL than make a run at the White House. A-frickin-men, Jersey Girl.
posted by Toxteth O'Grady at 02:31 PM on May 24, 2006
Truth is that Jeb knows he'll never be president, with all the crud that's been going on in FL the last few years-kidnappings, child molesters, allowing innocent people to be killed, etc.. Joey, most if not all the owners are Republicans, with the possible exception of Al Davis (but he's 'not an owner', is he) so they're already aligned with a political ideology. I think he's the wrong man for the job, though. Besides, he already runs the NFL (Northern FLorida), :P
posted by drtherc at 03:23 PM on May 24, 2006
Uh huh. And Jimmy Hoffa's buried under the end zone in Giants Stadium. Actually, the thought is now that he is buried in the Michigan countryside, just outside of Detroit.
posted by elovrich at 03:24 PM on May 24, 2006
Uh huh. And Jimmy Hoffa's buried under the end zone in Giants Stadium. Actually, the thought is now that he is buried in the Michigan countryside, just outside of Detroit. I thought he was spotted having lunch with Elvis in that Burger King just north of Kalamazoo a while back? Or was that Jim Morrison? Bigfoot?
posted by commander cody at 03:32 PM on May 24, 2006
with all the crud that's been going on in FL the last few years-kidnappings, child molesters, allowing innocent people to be killed, etc.. What? Now I'm really worried about my Grandma.
posted by tselson at 03:43 PM on May 24, 2006
Truth is that Jeb knows he'll never be president Jeez, I wish that I knew that. I'd sleep a lot better at night.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 03:49 PM on May 24, 2006
In case another Bush gets in the White House...
posted by SummersEve at 05:15 PM on May 24, 2006
As a Merle Haggard fan, let me just say when the level of discourse has dropped to quoting "Okie from Muskogie", we're smoked. Even Merle's repudiated that at this point.
posted by yerfatma at 06:52 PM on May 24, 2006
A real Haggard fan would know that the song is called "Fightin' Side Of Me". SummersEve, that is certainly your right.
posted by mjkredliner at 10:00 PM on May 24, 2006
Sorry I confused his worst two songs.
posted by yerfatma at 05:56 AM on May 25, 2006
mjkredliner, you might want to pick another artist to quote.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:58 AM on May 25, 2006
Sorry I confused his worst two songs. Merle doesn't have "worst songs," just some songs that kick a little less ass than others.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 07:01 AM on May 25, 2006
True enough.
posted by yerfatma at 08:00 AM on May 25, 2006
I never said I agree with everything Bush or all things Republican. I was at least as surprised at Dubya being elected governor of Texas, much less president, as Smithee was at Scharzenegger winning the California office. But I have at least as much right to defend the president and his family as other folks do to take a cut, and, as I suggested, there are alternatives to bitching. I am well aware of Merle's stance on the Iraqi situation. But the words in the song that I quoted still ring true, at least for some of us. TBH, I appreciate your asessment of Haggard's work, I couldn't agree more.
posted by mjkredliner at 10:51 AM on May 25, 2006
For a good laugh or two, you all might like to visit this site. I highly recommend "National Jeopardy".
posted by mjkredliner at 11:13 AM on May 25, 2006
Actually, the thought is now that he is buried in the Michigan countryside, just outside of Detroit. Actually he's in my backyard. But don't tell anyone else because I want to keep it on the low.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:36 PM on May 25, 2006
The NFL needs a commish who wants the job for the long run, not someone with political ambitions elsewhere. I didn't realize Jeb had a stake at one time in the Jaguars. I can't recall a single public appearance here in Jacksonville where it was brought up.