Golf Question of the Week: How Much Golf is Too Much For Today’s Politicians?
I love golf. And I'm all for the average guy playing as much as feasibly possible. If I wasn't, I should probably be looking for another line of work.
But in this day and age, when times are tough all over, I'm a little more discerning when it comes to applying that standard to the men and women on Capitol Hill. You know, the members of the United States Congress who ultimately answer to me and you - John and Jane Taxpayer every day, and John and Jane Registered Voter the first Tuesday in November every two years.
Here's my question, inspired by a blog post earlier today by Alan Blondin at the Sun News, who sheds some light on the handicap index of golfing presidents:
How much golf is too much for today's politicians?
In April 2008, Golf Magazine published "Washington's Top 200," in ascending order of handicap index. President George W. Bush was listed as a 15, a few years after his famous pledge to give up the game in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and ensuing war in Iraq. His reason? "I think (the president) playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."
Many have debated the veracity and premise of the president's non-golfing pledge ever since. But for argument's sake, let's apply President Bush's premise to members of Congress - the same Congress that blasted the heads of the "Detroit 3" automakers for coming to Washington last week reaching for more than $25 billion in bailout funds with one hand, and trying to hide their private jet boarding passes with the other. Congress skewered these actions by GM, Ford and Chrysler as, essentially, "sending the wrong signal."
So what signal does it send when four congressmen appear on "Washington's Top 200" with handicap indexes under 3?
Again, I'll be quick to point out that the list was published several months ago. For all we know (or all we should hope to know), their indexes have risen appreciably since then because they've been too preoccupied with helping to fix the economy. Maybe they haven't. Maybe they just possess such extraordinary athletic ability that they'd be able to maintain that level of skill regardless of how much (or how little) they play.
Maybe they're lying about their handicaps (Who would do such a thing?).
What do you think?
I think they lie about their handicap. Just go read any book on Bill Cliton about how much he cheated when he played golf.
I read the same things about clinton. But hey how much golf is really too much golf?