Quick Hits: Volume XXXIX

-Ever since Rick Perry announced his candidacy for President, Michele Bachmann has seen her poll numbers steadily decline. Amongst the GOP hopefuls, Bachmann is, at best, a distant third behind Perry and Mitt Romney, which casts severe doubts on her even being in the race in February.

If indeed Bachmann does drop out of the Presidential race within a few months, what options does she have then?

The Minnesota Republican never ruled out a return to Congress.

A loyal GOP base back home, uncertainty over district boundaries and tepidness by possible successors are helping keep Bachmann's political options open. But among party operatives and past allies, there are increasing doubts that Bachmann will try to reclaim her seat — or would even want to go back to the House.

I would be very surprised if Bachmann decides to jump into the CD6 race. During the 2010 campaign, DFL opponent Tarryl Clark attempted to make hay of how little time Bachmann spent in her home district. However, because there was no substantive proof of that, it never gained a whole lot of traction. But Bachmann has been involved in a high profile run for President since about May, so such a charge would carry more weight leading up to election day. Couple that with her constantly touting her Iowa roots leading up to the Ames, IA straw poll, and it's almost as if Bachmann has bastardized the state where she holds a seat in Congress.

Like Sarah Palin, Bachmann has a certain charisma which could lend itself well on the speaking circuit. And given the interesting life she has led, Bachmann's story could definitely pass for a New York Times bestseller. I see a book deal in her near future.


-ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!?!?!

Well, a certain rowdy crooner won't be asking that question any time soon.

The Hank Williams Jr. song that has opened Monday Night Football for 20 years was not part of the opening of this week's Indianapolis-Tampa Bay game after Williams made controversial comments about President Barack Obama.

Williams compared Obama to Adolf Hitler on Fox News Channel's "Fox and Friends" show Monday morning.

ESPN, in a statement, said: "While Hank Williams, Jr. is not an ESPN employee, we recognize that he is closely linked to our company through the open to Monday Night Football. We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from tonight's telecast."

Williams, whose song "All My Rowdy Friends" has been the Monday Night Football theme on both ABC and ESPN since 1991, told "Fox and Friends" that he thought Speaker of the House John Boehner playing golf with President Obama "would be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu ... In the shape this country is in?"

While I don't believe Williams is implying that Obama is like Hitler, it goes without saying that any Hitler analogy should be avoided at all costs.

This isn't the first time ESPN has embroiled in a Hitler-esque controversy. Back in June 2008, ESPN columnist Jemele Hill was suspended by the network when she said rooting for the Boston Celtics "is like saying Hitler was a victim. It's like hoping Gorbachev would get to the blinking red button before Reagan."

Sure, ESPN may have double standards in other areas, but they at least stay consistent when it comes to those invoking a mad man who looked to wipe out an entire race.


-Back in January 1992, the Twin Cities hosted Super Bowl XXVI. Part of the weekend's festivities was a venue called The NFL Experience, which took place at the Minneapolis Convention Center. As a bona fide NFL rube, I had to go check it out.

While there, I was waiting in line to get somebody's autograph (don't recall who) when I spotted a very attractive young lady who was an employee at the event. Now I wasn't exactly the smoothest talker back in the day, but I vowed to make a favorable impression this time around. As I was making small talk, I mentioned to this very nice young lady that I had already met Daryle LaMonica and got his autograph (she had ZERO clue who that was). Then in an uncharacteristically whimsical move, I asked her for an autograph. With a cute smile, she signed the the poster I had. I actually was able to read the name ("Wow, she has nice penmanship," I thought to myself).

As we continued the pleasant conversation, I decided to ask where she lived. "Andover," she replied. Then all my hard work was destroyed when I attempted to be funny (once again, not my strong suit in the early '90s). "I'm sorry, did you say 'Bend Over?'" She then gave me a courtesy laugh and moved on to another part of the event. Yeah, I definitely put the "nova" (Spanish for "no go") in Casanova.

So what is the point of that story? Shortly after I met that young lady, I learned that her father was (and still is) a prominent local minister. And would you believe that just last week I met the aforementioned minister in person for the first time?! Yes, while I was chatting with this very kind and compassionate man of God, I couldn't help but think how much of an arse I made of myself when meeting his lovely daughter 19-1/2 years earlier.

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