How did Bruins and Canucks fans vote in previous elections?

[hcallega]

Wow what a ridiculous conversation.

As to the original poster, I don't really think sport allegiance plays a role in political support. Everyone I know was really into the Olympics regardless of political views. The same can be said for any sport. Look at Maryland for instance. Black, White, Liberal, Conservative: Everyone's a Ravens fan in Baltimore.

The only sports I would say have an political leaning are NASCAR, Golf, and Tennis. The reason is that they are very cultural by nature.

Also, on the hockey point: I was in the Senate gallery when Brown and Kerry were applauding the Bruins for winning the Cup. Kerry is a huge hockey fan who still plays. Brown could barely describe the sport.

[hcallega]

Yes because the average sports fan uses internet forums. Give me a break. The average fan watches their team on Sunday (or any other day, depending on the sport) and watches Sports-center every now and then. They generally don't peruse the internet posting on forums, because they don't have the time or interest. The folks that do are generally on the internet to begin with, actively viewing other sites and forums.

Using your logic, most voters are conservative because the Politico comments are overwhelming right-wing. The same could be said for most objective coverage sites. I'll admit that in the South, football fans are more likely to be conservative, because most people in the South are conservative. But it has nothing to do with football. If you could present a logic based argument as to why sports fans are more conservative, then I would buy it. But as someone who played offensive line for five years, I can say that nothing about smashing skulls with other dudes makes me more conservative or liberal.

[hcallega]

Again, still a logical fallacy. Supporting the troops is bipartisan, not liberal or conservative. Also it's not bullsh**t to honor our fallen who fought for our freedom. I work for a very liberal US Senator, and she is one of the most outspoken advocates for veterans programs (the best way to support the troops, after all).

Once again, the internet forums are not indicative of fan support. Knowing many Ravens and Pats fans myself (growing up in Baltimore, going to college in Massachusetts) I can say that only two "die-hard" fans regularly traverse internet forums. The forum community is generally young people, teenagers and the like, who haven't formed coherent political views. Maybe that's an overstatement, but every forum I've been too, including this one, is primarily made up of youngsters (including myself). Young people generally cling to the political fringes, as they simply aren't exposed to enough facts and objective material. People moderate as they get older, that's a fact (just look at the Baby Boom generation).

The greater point is that sports does not drive someones political ideology. This is a clear example of post hoc ergo propter hoc. In other words, yes many sports fans are conservative. But they are not conservative due to sports. Rather, they are conservative due to other factors, if they are really conservative after all. I would venture to guess that the average white male middle class Ohio Buckeyes fan is conservative because of issues like taxes, foreign policy, and "big government". Not because tackling is manly.

P.S.: If you want to look smart, don't reference internet forums. They don't represent the population at large.