Is it good, clean fun, no harm done? Or are participating pols boorish, jock-sniffing, self-promoting, bandwagon jumpers? You make the call.
For me, the quality of the bet says it all. And there's one great bet among the dreck of predictable wagers on the Phils/Yanks World Series. More on that later. First, to the uninspired.
U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey bet New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand cheesesteaks from Philly against cheesecakes from Junior's in New York. How original.
This could be a trap, by the way. Our senators don't say where the cheesesteaks would come from, but the New York Daily News last week ran a story with a photo of mice in Junior's cake display at its Brooklyn location. Nice.
Gov. Rendell bet New York Gov. Dave Paterson the same thing he bet Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer when the Steelers played (and beat) the Cardinals in the Super Bowl - a little tourism package. Yawn.
If Yanks win, New York gets to send two of its citizens to Philly for 4 days, 3 nights. Winners get meals, tickets to museums and a lunch with Rendell (this is a prize?).
I suspect that New Yorkers are asking, "What's second place, 8 days in Philly and two meals with Rendell?"
A Phillies victory sends two of youse to Manhattan. Same deal: food, tickets to stuff and a gubernatorial luncheon. Amtrak and local venues grab the tabs.
New York winners will be picked by lottery, Pennsylvania's by online essay contest: 250 words on why you love the Phils.
And, showing the creativity that Congress usually shows, Philly Congressman Bob Brady and central Pennsylvania Congressman Tim Holden have a "high-stakes" bet with Bronx Congressman Jose Serrano. Care to guess?
Yep, cheesesteaks. Brady says he'll throw in some soft pretzels and Tastykakes. Serrano is betting "a coveted gift basket" from Mike's Deli, in the Bronx. Hopefully without vermin.
