I saw an article on CBSSports.com talking about a study that college football impacted elections. It got me thinking. When Alabama won the National Championship in 1992, who won the '92 Election? Bill Clinton. Since 1984, a Republican candidate winning the Presidential election is the same year Alabama football has been average or mediocre. A Democrat winning the Presidential election has lead to an Alabama season of double-digit wins and contending for the National Championship.
1984 - Ronald Reagan (R) def. Walter Mondale (D) 525-13
Alabama Football went 5-6 (2-4 in SEC) under Ray Perkins
1988- George H.W. Bush (R) def. Michael Dukakis (D) 426-111
Alabama Football went 9-3 (4-3 in SEC)
1992- Bill Clinton (D) def. George H.W. Bush (R) 370-168
Alabama finishes 13-0 defeating Miami to win the National Championship
1996- Bill Clinton (D) def. Bob Dole (R) 379-159
Alabama finished 10-2 (6-2 in the SEC) lost to Florida in SEC Championship
2000- George W. Bush (R) def. Al Gore (D) in a controversial election.
Alabama finished 3-8 (3-5 in SEC) Preseason #3
2004 George W. Bush (R) def. John Kerry (D)
Alabama finished 6-6 (2-6 in the SEC)
2008 Barack Obama (D) def. John McCain (R)
Alabama finished 12-2 (8-0 in SEC) Lost to Florida in SEC Championship
2012 Incumbent Barack Obama (D) vs. Mitt Romney (R)
Alabama is currently undefeated ranked #1 in the nation
With the election coming up, I guess you can say that conservative Tide fans have at least something to turn to during the good times and the bad. Alabama's visits to the White House included President's FDR ('34 '41), JFK ('61), LBJ ('64), Jimmy Carter ('78,'79), Bill Clinton ('92), and Barack Obama ('09, '11). Only 3 Republican Presidents have give the Crimson Tide a visit to the White House: Calvin Coolidge ('25,'26), Herbert Hoover (1930) and Richard Nixon ('73).
Not to put you at concern, but Will Mitt Romney be the 1st Republican to give The Crimson Tide a White House visit in almost 40 years????? Is Mitt Romney that will break this nearly 30 year old trend????
