Sarah Palin To Drop Puck Before Saturday's Rangers-Flyers Game

Some Question Palin Appearance At Saturday's Rangers-Flyers Game

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will join the winner of the Flyers' regional "Ultimate Hockey Mom" contest and drop the puck during the ceremonial opening face-off before the team's home opener Saturday against the Rangers (Flyers). In Philadelphia, Eichel & Carchidi cite Federal Election Commission records as indicating that Flyers Chair Ed Snider in June "contributed a total of $25,000 to the McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee." But Snider said Palin's involvement with the game "has nothing to do with politics." Palin has consistently described herself as a "hockey mom" during the campaign, and Snider said, "This is to have some fun with the fabulous statement she made." Eichel & Carchidi note Pennsylvania "remains a huge state in the electoral calculus" for both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns, though the "most recent polls give [Democratic nominee Barack] Obama a lead averaging 12 points" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/9).

DO SPORTS AND POLITICS MIX? In Philadelphia, Will Bunch reported Snider "has donated more than $32,000 to candidates for federal office and political parties in this cycle, all to Republicans, including the maximum $4,600 to John McCain and $20,400 to the Republican National Committee." Bunch wrote by having Palin drop the puck, Snider "is taking his public trust and abusing [it] badly, for his political cause." Bunch: "Sports and politics should not mix. ... Flyers fans should be outraged -- even conservative ones, because this misuse of a hockey game for his political agenda is flat out wrong" (PHILLY.com, 10/8). POLITICO's Jonathan Martin wrote the move involves "some risk," as hockey fans, "especially in Philly, are not known for their manners. Palin will certainly receive a mix of boos and cheers upon being introduced" (POLITICO.com, 10/8). Meanwhile, the NATIONAL POST's Noah Love wrote having Palin drop the puck "might not be an entirely savvy choice" in a building "named for a crumbling financial institution" (NATIONALPOST.com, 10/8).