Let me tell you a tale of soccer, and why it relates to the US presidential election.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

Spain, 1982. The 12th FIFA World Cup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_World_Cup#First_round

Group 2 saw one of the great World Cup upsets on the first day with the 2-1 victory of Algeria over reigning European Champion West Germany. This memorable game resulted in the controversial match between West Germany and Austria, their third and final match. As Algeria had already played their third match the day before, West Germany and Austria knew that a West German win by 1 or 2 goals would qualify them both, while a larger German victory would qualify Algeria over Austria, and a draw or an Austrian win would eliminate the Germans. The fourth team in the group, Chile, were eliminated regardless of the outcome. After 10 minutes of furious attack, West Germany succeeded in scoring through a goal by Horst Hrubesch. After the goal was scored, the two German-speaking teams went into an unspoken agreement and just kicked the ball around aimlessly for the rest of the match. Chants of "Fuera, fuera" ("Out, out") were screamed by the appalled Spanish crowd, while angry Algerian supporters waved banknotes at the players. This sham performance was widely deplored, even by the German and Austrian fans who had hoped for a hot rematch of the 1978 FIFA World Cup match in which Austria had beaten West Germany. One German fan was so upset by his team's display that he burned his German flag in disgust.<1> As a result of the outcome, FIFA introduced a revised qualification system at subsequent World Cups in which the final two games in each group were played simultaneously.

Thusly, my question is:

Why is the Democratic convention before the Republican one? Has it always been that way? Why?

[RoadRage]

1. Great Analogy..

I was thinking - if Obama had selected Clinton for the ticket, who would McCain have picked - obviously NOT Palin.

But, you're right.. the Republicans got to sit back and watch to see who the Dems picked before making their decision. And, I think you're right.. they said if he picks Biden, we pick Palin. If he picks Clinton, we pick Romney. etc...

I know we can't have the conventions at the same time - but it would be nice if both parties had to select a VP by midnight on a certain date (say August 15th). That way both campaigns announce it simultaneously - and both campaigns pick a candidate based on who they really think will be the best VP - not who they think might be able to get them a few more votes in November, but who would suck HORRIBLY if actually needed to be VP.

Honestly, until this election, I don't think it's really been an issue. But, leave it to Republicans to take politics to a whole new horribly low level. Fuck the US if Palin actually has to serve.. we just want to get elected again after running the country into the ground!

[Whisp]

2. whoever is in power has the pick.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. That's an official rule? -nt

[Whisp]

5. yes. it's either they get to pick or they go second, not sure

but being last is always the advantage, like in baseball.

[Curtland1015]

4. Nice. I've been wondering that too. Oh and also... GO GUNNERS!

:P

[Meshuga]

6. Traditionally, the party that holds the White House goes second

There was something similar in the 1978 World Cup. There were two second round groups where the first place of each group would play in the final match for the World Cup title. Brazil played earlier in the day and beat Poland 3-1 thus forcing Argentina (the hosts) to have to beat Peru (a team that was very good in the 1970's) by a difference of 4 goals. The Peruvian goalie (Quiroga) was Argentinian born naturalized Peruvian. The match ended as no one would expect with Argentina beating Peru 6-0 and going to the final to win the World Cup in a match against the Dutch.

Nowadays FIFA has all final games of group matches played on the same day at the same exact time in order to avoid match fixing and unfair advantage. I agree that the conventions should be all on the same week. The party in the White House can have their nominee speak second but giving McCain the option of choosing his running mate right after the Democratic convention was an unfair advantage.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. I still see red when I remember that, after all these years.

:mad:

[VWolf]

7. In the end, it didn't matter

Italy won :evilgrin:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. Even though Italy kicked Brazil out, I rooted like hell for Italy in that one.

Germany winning that Cup would be a cosmic abomination.

[VWolf]

9. Amen to that. nt