If bracket choices are a window into one’s politics, President Obama and Senator Marco Rubio are clearly at odds.
The president likes battleground state teams, his picks for the final four include Ohio, Indiana, and Florida. Two of those helped send him to the White House.
Unlike President Obama, Senator Marco Rubio favors Cinderella teams. If you total up the rankings of Rubio’s sweet 16 teams, they equal almost half of the president’s choices. The Tea Party politician likes low-ranked teams that upset the established franchises, which may be a nod to his possible 2016 run.
Another Republican, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, goes local with his picks, consistent with his ongoing re-election campaign. He picks Louisville to take the trophy, and Western Kentucky University to make NCAA history by beating Kansas. Only Western Kentucky University lost in the opening round.
Also going for the home team: California Democratic Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, with Stanford in the NCAA women’s tournament. The school is in her home district.
Here’s a twist: Grover Norquist, chief at Americans for Tax Reform, ranked his bracket on doctrine. He wrote, “I chose my winners based on the lowest top marginal income tax rate in each team’s home state.” By that measure, the Miami Hurricanes in Miami Gardens, Florida, would win.
Another way to look at it: Matching the district of each school with its Congress Member’s party. By that measure, Democrats currently edge Republicans 9 to 7.
Richard Lui