Obama fills out his brackets

Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:58 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan and NBC's Mark Murray
If there's one thing outside of politics that can steal a candidate's attention -- especially the hoops enthusiast Obama -- it's March Madness, which begins in the next hour or two.

Obama has his money on the University of North Carolina to win the NCAA tournament this year beating out UCLA in the final.

His top bracket picks include: UNC in the East, Kansas in the Midwest, Pittsburgh in the South, and UCLA in the West. Some of those picks don't seem to be by accident, at least according to our political eyes: UNC is the flagship university in North Carolina (which has its primary on May 6), Pittsburgh is in Pennsylvania (which goes on April 22); and Kansas is where his mother's family hailed from.

Obama is a huge basketball fan, and was even caught pondering over his bracket when sitting in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper. He joked that he was focusing on what was "important."

Obama was the last person to submit his bracket to the friendly staff-only betting pool. (Entry was $10.) Hotline reported this morning that Obama spokesmen "Bill Burton and Dan Pfeiffer both have Georgetown in the championship, but UCLA winning. Speechwriter Jon Favreau and Ben Finkenbinder have Kansas. Strategist David Axelrod and policy dir Heather Higginbottom picked UNC."

Asked why he was taking so long filling out his own bracket, Obama said: "I'm taking this very seriously. It's a science."

Obama has been playing basketball since he was in high school. He regularly finds a way to sneak some court time in on the campaign trail, shooting hoops with secret service, staff and just yesterday the troops from Fort Bragg.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Are you kidding me-Why bother posting something so irrelevant. Maybe you guys could examine Obama's economic plan or something that actaully matters for once!!

Craig, CT (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:08 AM)

pandering to the Edwards vote again?

Olov, Sweden (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:08 AM)

Asking for decent articles on FR, USA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:08 AM)

If Obama likes Basketball so much, perhaps he should try out for a professional basketball team and quit his day job, as really this day job of his seems not to suit him very well these past few days.

PA Voter (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:09 AM)

He should have chosen Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia too.

OBTW, I hope your speech today on Iraq and the economy goes as well as your speeches on Tuesday & Wednesday.

Obama Hoops Fan, USA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:12 AM)

Lots of angry people here today. Let's take a poll and see how many of them are Clinton supporters.

CitizenJ (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:14 AM)

Now watch Hillary and her supporters come out and say because Obama is particpating in a $10 basketball pool with reporters he has a gambling problem, lol. Then they will release a tape showing Obama handing a $10 bill to one of the reporters and claim he is buying votes as well.

You guys slay me. Why do you even bother? This race is over. Tell Hillary to take a seat.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:15 AM)

Can't you guys posting comments have any fun? Geese. We have enough drama in this election it's kind of nice to show the human side of people taking an interest in what many people in the country are taking an interest in these days...even if it seems frivalous. Lighten up and Hook 'em Horns!

B, Austin, TX (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:17 AM)

Obama said: "I'm taking this very seriously. It's a science."
----------------------------------Cute, everyone one is taking a hard look at all you say and do now OBAMA. Basketball? SO!

HP Boston (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:19 AM)

At this time of the year, no one should tell a basketball fan that it's "irrelevant." And you don't have to be pandering to pick North Carolina. But as a Midwesterner originally from the Badger State, I do wish he had gone with Wisconsin. Probably just sour grapes from an Illinois fan. LoL

Go Wisconsin/Go Obama

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie, MN (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:20 AM)

B, Austin -- Hook'em back at ya.

Mark Murray (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:20 AM)

I don't think Pitt is a pandering choice. The Panthers have Fields back healthy and are playing, in my opinion, the best defense of anyone in the country. If they can overcome their freethrow demons, they have a real shot at the Final Four.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:24 AM)

It is interesting that America is getting to know more about the life of Obama than will do of Hillary and McCain, even though Hillary and McCain have been around longer. For instance for the McCain-lovers and Hillary-supporters, what is the name of the church that either of these candidates attends? What is the favorite hobby or activity of Hillary or McCain?

I'm sure no one knows

AJ, IL (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:24 AM)

Go Maryland! (NIT that is)

susan f (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:24 AM)

Go Maryland! (NIT that is)

susan f (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:24 AM)

I think it is a damn shame that the only things that Obama supporters care about is Hillary Clinton's tax returns and her phone logs and her ear marks.

Obmaa supporters are disgraceful.

Right this very minute some man or wowan who wears this country's uniform and is defending your freedom to bash Senator Clinton on this site, is dying in Iraq and other places on this Earth.

I'm so glad to see that so many of the people who waste all of their time because they have nothing better to do, making nasty ass comments about Senator Clinton, don't give a rats ass about all of the THOUSANDS of men and women who have DIED and the TEN'S OF THOUSANDS who have had the hands BLOWN OFF rendering them incapable of running thier mouths on this site like the Obama supporters.

Then again, given how PROUD Obama and his wife Michelle are of this country, it doesn't surprise me that Obama supporters are to self absorbed to think about anything other than how wonderful Obama is, how horrible Clinton is, and THEMSELVES.

I'm sure it makes all the families of all the service men and women who have died and have been injured, feel so much better.

Obama supporters are TRASH!

Jack B, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:26 AM)

So now we get to here the rants of Patty in SD, HP, J.Merle et al about his picks for the tournament? I have complained before about these idiotic posts of your FR. I did a double take to see if this was posted by Domenico. Thanks a lot FR.
Asking for decent articles on FR, USA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:08 AM)

----------------------------------------------
Yes you get to HEAR! If you do not like the blog go away, we were just fine with out your crying and wailing. This is not posting for sissy guys buck up!
The point is to have DIFFERENT perspectives not agree with YOU! You are the idiot, SO how much fun will you have with just the BO posters patting them selves on the back. How much hope and change and words from the man do you need to float your boat? HP

HP Boston (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:26 AM)

This is no political pandering. I have 3 of those 4 teams in my final four, with UNC winning it all. I don't think Pitt can beat Memphis, though. In fact, if you know much at all about college basketball, you should have at least two of those teams in your final four, UNC and UCLA. I wish we could just not assume everything was a political ploy.

Go Heels!

Josh, Chapel Hill, NC (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:28 AM)

Most of you people need to lighten up a little. Half the country's filling out brackets this week.

That said, I'm going with a major underdog -- Drake!

Stanley (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:34 AM)

picking unc isnt to bad of an idea you have to include one underdog in your list your a fool if you dont

mike ca (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:36 AM)

Gees we can tell who's uptight on this column,good to know the guy has a life,some of the people posting comments sure as hell do! GO HEELS AND OBAMA!!
THANKS FIRST READ!!!

Feed Up! in Va. (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:39 AM)

Josh - I don't think Memphis has been tested, and when they did have a marquee game, they came up short. I think Pitt can wear them down. However, I think Texas will beat Pitt.

Also, I have Kansas beating the Tarheels, and winning the championship over UCLA.

I'll bet the Clinton campaign doesn't even have a pool. Given what we've seen with their strategic blunders and lacking math skills, they probably couldn't figure out the varying points for different rounds of play.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:41 AM)

Its working...his speech is working!!! Thanks God! Maybe there is hope for this country!! See for yourself.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/us/politics/20race.html?ref=politics

MR (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:41 AM)

Stanley: I'm still sore at Drake beating my Bulldogs... but I do have them getting to the Sweet 16...

I've got UNC over Memphis with Xavier and G'town as my other half of the Final Four.

Rob, Indianapolis (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:43 AM)

My picks:
Final 4:
NC over Kansas
Duke over Texas

Championship:
NC over Duke

Complete guesses. I haven't watched college hoops in a few years. Not since the morons at UC drove off Huggins, and Rick Patino left UK. Just lost interest.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:46 AM)

OU Bobcat alum (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:51 AM)

Obama's brackets show McCain and Hillary in the finals.

D.Vitale (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:57 AM)

john mccain said his pick in ncaa tournament would be victorious even if they have to occupy the tournament for 100 years, and yes he did say the nuclear option is still on the table if he deems it necessary to defeat the other radical players involved.

MK,MO (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:58 AM)

Even though I wouldn't know a tarheel from a bulldog (statewise anyway) it is nice to have a bit of relief from the constant infighting among the dems, and realize that there are other things out there than this race. so for that, i'm going to watch my dvr'd episode of last night's America's Next Top Model that I skipped to watch MSNBC (Keith twice!)!! SO, thanks FR for a little reminder that we all need to take a breather here!!

LB, Virginia (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:02 PM)

what I think is pathetic is how you Obama people cannt drag yourself out of the pAST. Your big thing to hang on Hillary is that she kept her commitment to her husband and there marriage. You think dredging up all this past makeing smut remarks day by day about her where abouts during the scandal is great news??Obama needs this?She fired people for talking about Obamas drug problem. You are pathetic and I hope she doesnt give any more papers.How long was Obama on drugs? Has there been any visators at his place as his wife wont belittle herself to live with him in DC? She sure wanted there votes though right?I am so pissed.You people have a lot of nerve and no respect for the office of Pres. but think some anti american should be there. your all nuts . You think Clinton is only washington person in this mess? There were people found to have another wife. Extra children and we know Obama isnt the saint he was trying to make people think he was. Let the skelton's roll.

jane-pa (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:07 PM)

Memphis doesn't have the free throw shooting to advance, that will bring them down. I like UCLA vs UNC as well, I just have UCLA winning it.

Watch out for the MAC school Kent St, they are my sleeper to beat Kansas.

HP, Boston, start drinking decaf.

Don't worry all you Clinton supporters, after she bows out, the NIT will come calling.
OU Bobcat alum (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:51 AM
------------------------------------------------
De cafe, whats the point! Caffeine is coffees only saving grace. ASKING FOR DECENT ARTICLES needs decaf!
But you guys got ya bouncing balls, you guys and your balls! Play, play , play!

HP Boston (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:08 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Is that legal? Now let's legalize online sport betting and pay off the national debt in about a year.

twocanpete (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:09 PM)

chuck, you finally got to put your sports analogy in. I am not a basketball fan but it is sure refreshing to see everyone kind of getting along. More posts about the human side of things.
thanks.

lori Chicago (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:09 PM)

Obama said: "I'm taking this very seriously. It's a science."
----------------------------------Cute, everyone one is taking a hard look at all you say and do now OBAMA. Basketball? SO!
HP Boston (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:19 AM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROOF THAT CLINTONITES WILL GET OFFENDED OR FIND ABSURD ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING THAT OBAMA OR ANYONE ELSE DOES, EVEN WHEN HE IS RELAXING. ...OR IS HE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT EITHER. MAYBE YOU ALL CAN FIND OUT WHAT HIS SISTER SAID FIVE YEARS AGO AND ASK HIM TO DIS-OWN HER OR SOMEHOW PROOF HE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

Speaking of relaxing, Clinton looks horribly tired lately. Has she not recovered from St. Patty's day yet?

j. (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:12 PM)

I have been at Obama’s rallies and was impressed by his great speeches and how he affected his audience by his speeches. What I do not understand is why Obama not denouncing his pastor/spiritual leader/mentor is not disturbing more Americans of all races. What would Americans do if a teacher in our schools made these same comments? EVERYONE would want that teacher to resign. Why should Obama’s pastor be treated differently than a teacher? Obama not only as a State Senator and US Senator continually witnessed these disturbing sermons to men, women, and CHILDREN of this church; he also contributed over a hundred thousand dollars to this church. Would he let a teacher in our schools that made remarks as this to continue these actions of hatred remarks to the children of America and do nothing as he allowed his pastor. Obama wants to be the president of the United States and AMERICANS actually think this action of doing nothing when remarks as this are made is acceptable. I understand that Obama can give a great uplifting speech but is actions are disturbing. I would think the people of Illinois should ask for Obama’s resignation from being their US Senator. There is absolutely no way that I could now vote for Obama. Think of the children in this church that listened to these sermons and the affect these words had on them and Obama and Michelle sat their and did nothing! We need a leader that will stand up and protect the children and people of this country. Not one that supports these actions by being in attendance and contributing money to this pastor! Who is the real Obama? More importantly why do so many Americans believe that Obama’s lack of actions in making a positive difference for the children of his church is acceptable? America needs more than glorified speeches. Speeches are only words. Actions are reality! The people of Illinois should rally together and ask for the resignation of their US Senator Barack Obama. If not, the Americans will view Illinois as a state that believes these actions are acceptable.

Steve (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:14 PM)

Since McCain is posting his bracket on his website, we need someone to compare the two to see who wins. I nominate FR.

Tony, Lexington, KY (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:15 PM)

Very refrehing to read something that reminds us that you all are human beings underneath all this (politicians and mediamakers alike). But UNC will not win. Sorry Barack.

aMom from Kansas (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:16 PM)

Paul Miller, thank you for not ignoring Kansas. I too have picked Kansas, but over Memphis. I follow the Big 12 teams much more than I follow the rest of the country so a lot of my brackets are based on team records and sometimes just a gut feeling. However I do feel that Kansas will win this year.

Dawn, somewhere in Kansas (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:18 PM)

Thank you, Mark Murray. It's nice to read a story about a candidate who lives on the same planet as rest of us!!

ST, Dayton, OH (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:20 PM)

I AM OUTRAGED AT YOUR SO OBVIOUSLY BIASED, RACIST COVERAGE!!!!

WATCHING THAT CONTESSA PROGRAM THIS MORNING, YOU HAD A SPLIT SCREEN OF CLINTON’S LITTLE BREAKFAST MEETING AND A SILENT SPLIT OF ROCKERFELLER PRESENTING OBAMA.
CONTESSA SAID SHE WOULD BE GOING TO OBAMA AS SOON AS HE CAME OUT!!
HE CAME OUT AND BEGAN SPEAKING AND SHE CONTINUED TO TALK, CUTS TO RON ALLEN, THE REPORTER FOR CLINTON, THEN AS HE WINDS UP SHE ASKS HIM ABOUT THE WEATHER, CLEARLY CONFUSING HIM AS TO WHAT THAT HAD TO DO WITH ANYTHING;
THEN SHE GOES INTO THIS OLD FOOTAGE ABOUT CONTAMINATED FLOOD WATERS, ACTS AMAZED AND ASTONISHED, GOES ON AND ON; TALKS TO SOME OTHER GUY ABOUT CLINTON AND ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS BASKETBALL RATINGS, WHILE OBAMA CONTINUES TO SPEAK! SHE COULD BARELY EVEN PULL IT OFF!!!

THIS WAS SUCH A DELIBERATE BIAS OF NOT COVERING OBAMA!! YOU DID NOT COVER HIM YESTERDAY, THEN AGAIN TODAY, YOU PULL THIS STUPIDLY, OBVIOUS UNFAIR, UNBALANCED, PREJUDICIAL STUNT, LOSING ANY CREDIBILITY, WHICH USED TO BE IMPORTANT TO REPUTABLE NETWORKS!!!

WHEN YOU DO COVER HIM YOU STATE WHAT HE SAID, INSTEAD OF PLAYING THE LIVE COVERAGE, BUT WITH CLINTON YOU PLAY THE LIVE COVERAGE OF HER SPEAKING, HERSELF.

THE CONTRAST OF THE CONSTANT, CONTINUOUS WRIGHT COVERAGE WITHOUT ANY BALANCE, IS NOW FOLLOWED BY THE BIASED, RACIST, YES RACIST, DELIBERATE LACK OF COVERAGE!!

I’M THROUGH WITH NBC AND ANYTHING AND EVERYBODY THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT NETWORK!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!

CN (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:21 PM)

I have to agree with some of the other posters here today that it's nice to take a break from all the political business for a little bit and concentrate on other things, such as the basketball tournament and the brackets, the fact that today is the first day of spring and that this is Holy Week and Easter is Sunday. For a few days, politics is going to take a back burner to other things for me.

Dawn, somewhere in Kansas (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:28 PM)

Hey HP, J. Merle and Patty in SD...tell Hill to stop answering Bill's calls at 3 AM. Like J says above, she looks tired. Probably staying up late to find more You Tube vidoes on Obama, and them claim she has no knowledge of how that got leaked. Or maybe she is in the WH Map Room with donors again.

I wonder if she loaned $5M to her staff so they could play the tournament pool?

Obam Fans against HP, J. Merle & Patty (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:29 PM)

if Obama was waiting for Wisconsin to vote he would have picked it than. Hello. Everything Obama does and says is politically staged and has been since school. Right Barry? Well Obama and McCane again have something in common.McCain picked same team.But Obama likes him more than Hillary he says.

to late Obama (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:34 PM)

Obama also gave an important speech linking the war and the economy today. Where is THAT coverage??

Mel (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:35 PM)

I picked North Carolina too. Barack...I knew you had more talents than just being the best candidate out there. You da man!

Larry, Union, KY (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:35 PM)

I am glad Obama is relaXing while Hillary works. I am also glad his wife said he could .hahaha. He must have been a good boy or she feels sorry for him.Maybe his prise for destroying chance for nov win by knocking 2 sataes importance out th ewindow for his own good.

keep relaxing Obama (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:37 PM)

My upset pick is Mt.Saint Mary's over UNC.

Just kidding, I like Tennessee.

HP, love your post. Have an expresso!

Hillary will win!

Brother Odd (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:40 PM)

My upset pick is Mt.Saint Mary's over UNC.

Just kidding, I like Tennessee.

HP, love your post. Have an expresso!

Hillary will win!

Brother Odd (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:41 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=788315