Sun Bowl Betting Turns Ugly

Normally, betting between politicians over sporting events is a rather civilized affair, with little political consequence for either side, but Governor Ted Kulongoski is drawing fire for his recent bet with Governor Matt Blunt.

The controversy seems to have settled in around two key issues.

1.) That Kulongoski, a Mizzou alum--both undergrad and law, is betting against his own alma mater, and

2.) That Blunt's offer for a Missouri loss is somehow inadequate.

As for point #1, there's little I can offer. That's between Governor K, his political considerations, and his conscience to work out--though he might want to search the AP photo archives for the hat worn by then-Governor John Ashcroft during the Cardinals/Royals World Series for guidance.

But as for point #2, and this may come as a surprise for regular Fired Up! readers, I am actually going to defend Governor Blunt against the charges that he has offered up inadequate bounty in the unlikely event of a Missouri loss.

First of all, there is nothing wrong with Fitz's root beer, despite the views of some blogger in "Orygun." And secondly, should Missouri lose, which they won't, Governor Kulongoski wouldn't be the first politician to be pleasantly surprised by the outcome of such a bet.

Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry thought the bet over the Super Bowl with Senators Kit Bond and Jean Carnahan wasn't fair either. Kennedy and Kerry offered up a Legal Seafoods clambake, Carnahan and Bond--Ted Drewes. But you certainly didn't see any complaints from either Kerry or Kennedy at the press event where the bet was paid off. Then again, it could have been because both Kerry and Kennedy had their mouth full of Ted Drewes.

Disclaimer: I may not be completely objective on matters relating to Fitz's, as my first date with Stacie, my wife, was at Fitz's in the U City Loop.