Fighting Politics: Senator Challenged to MMA Match
Jake Rossen Sep 10, 2010
Theodore Roosevelt may have been the last of the presidential
bad-asses: Our 26th leader was quite fond of judo, boxing and
wrestling, and even scolded states looking to ban pugilism to stop
being a bunch of nannies. (There is anecdotal evidence Barack Obama
is an MMA fan, but he probably couldn’t nail a double-leg: bet
Teddy could.)
While politicians are too ramrod-straight to consider such endorsements today, there is one exception: Independent Senate candidate Mike Spears, who this week challenged incumbent Senator David Vitter to a mixed martial arts cage match to settle their differences.
According to Spears, he’s seeking a “modern-day duel” stemming from Vitter’s admission to being involved in a prostitution ring in 2007, an act that “insulted the honor” of their state. Spears says he intends to compete in a cage match regardless of Vitter’s response.
Is this a publicity stunt? Duh: Vitter is flirting with 50 and probably doesn’t incorporate shark tank drills and tire flips into his regular exercise routine. We get the joke, but Louisiana probably isn’t laughing: Spears does himself few favors by appearing to be one chromosome away from a rabid animal. Is this the guy you want heading up a pretzel stand? Sure. A major political seat? Teddy just did a forward roll in his grave.
While politicians are too ramrod-straight to consider such endorsements today, there is one exception: Independent Senate candidate Mike Spears, who this week challenged incumbent Senator David Vitter to a mixed martial arts cage match to settle their differences.
According to Spears, he’s seeking a “modern-day duel” stemming from Vitter’s admission to being involved in a prostitution ring in 2007, an act that “insulted the honor” of their state. Spears says he intends to compete in a cage match regardless of Vitter’s response.
Is this a publicity stunt? Duh: Vitter is flirting with 50 and probably doesn’t incorporate shark tank drills and tire flips into his regular exercise routine. We get the joke, but Louisiana probably isn’t laughing: Spears does himself few favors by appearing to be one chromosome away from a rabid animal. Is this the guy you want heading up a pretzel stand? Sure. A major political seat? Teddy just did a forward roll in his grave.
