...when the Flyers play their home opener against the Rangers, Gov. Sarah Palin will drop the ceremonial first puck in what Snider’s team is positioning as an homage to hockey moms.

I agree with Brooks that it’s bad form on Snider’s part, given his ties to the Republican Party...although I think he clearly exposed his own political affiliation by over-dramatizing the issue.

As for Snider, he, his team and the league would have been better served if he had simply gone with a true “homage” to hockey moms. Just stick to the contest that’s part of all of this, have the winner drop the puck and let everyone in the stands applaud for all of those moms (and dads) who make hockey a possibility for their kids.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 10/10/08 at 09:54 AM ET

If Governor Palin doesn’t utter a word about the presidential campaign, I see absolutely nothing wrong with this.  The sport of hockey is actually getting free publicity on a national level through the Alaskan governor’s background and fame.  Do you have any idea how many people who aren’t Flyer or Ranger fans, or even fans of hockey will be paying attention to this?  If she wasn’t on the Republican ticket as VP, and just as the governor of Alaska, I believe that no one would have any problem of her dropping the puck as the world’s most famous hockey mom.  And that’s exactly what she is, so why would anyone complain unless you have your own political agenda.  Like I said, if she does this as a mere fan of hockey and mentions nothing about the presidential race, I think everyone just needs to back off.  You think that Obama would be criticized for participating in ceremony before an NBA game?  Don’t buy into the liberal media, just take it for what it is...a big spot-light shined on our favorite game.  Again, if Palin leaves the politcs at home for this ceremony, we should all do the same.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/10/08 at 10:08 AM ET

Snider is a right wing nut job. It makes perfect sense if those are your politics but usually Repubs attend Nascar events historically.

Posted by kevin from boston on 10/10/08 at 10:24 AM ET

The sport of hockey is actually getting free publicity

sorry, but everyone in North America already knows about the sport of hockey. some goof ball, from either party, dropping the puck for three seconds is not going to help the sport. if you believe this blip of “publicity” is going to be the catalyst to glacially change peoples stubborn brain from boring baseball, overly rigid football and cheatsketball - good luck dreaming for the Cargo Cult planes of fans to fly in soon. and with that inarticulate figurehead at the helm? yeah, youre winning people over.

events like Willie O’Ree last year getting publicity are 100 fold more important to the game.

Posted by Death Metal Gary from MKE on 10/10/08 at 11:23 AM ET

You’re an idiot if you don’t think that the number of people watching the puck drop will increase with Governor Palin dropping the puck.  Did I say that it was going to be the savior of the sport?  No, I did not.  But it is going to draw attention whether left wing idiots have a mealy-mouthed objections or not.  You think she’s inarticulate?  Well then I guess that means you too, Western Canada.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/10/08 at 11:43 AM ET

If Governor Palin doesn’t utter a word about the presidential campaign, I see absolutely nothing wrong with this.

I think the point is that she doesn’t have to say anything by now...she’s become the face of the Republican Party as much as McCain has. 

That being said, even if this wasn’t being done under the guise of “celebrating hockey moms,” I wouldn’t have a problem with it.  I didn’t see it as an endorsement from the league, and still don’t even though Brooks has now put that idea in my head.  She’s campaigning.  She’s supposed to make public appearances...kiss babies, shake hands, cut ribbons, all the stereotypical stuff politicians do when they’re running for office.  Yeah, I know there are lots of people out there dumb enough to change their vote based on which team a candidate supports, or which candidate is supported by an athlete, but honestly, those people will probably change their mind again next week when their favorite actor says they support the other guy.  And then they’ll forget to vote altogether because they’re too lazy to get their butts to the polling place.

Posted by K24 from NYC on 10/10/08 at 01:31 PM ET

I really have no problem with this. Its much to do about nothing. Seriously, how many times have celebrities or other “special” people taken part in pregame stuff because the movie or tv show or whatever they are promoting is associated in some small way with the sport of hockey. Palin, like her or not, is associated is with hockey moms. So what if Philly wants to grab a bit of the spotlight. As long as Palin is not making some kind of stump speach, I don’t see how anybody could have a problem. If the Whitesox or the Cubs had made it to the World Series, I doubt that many people would be offended if Obama threw out the first pitch.

Now, if Brooks really wants politics out of the sport of hockey, then the national anthems need to go. Their isn’t anything more political than the association of a countries policies and its national anthem. The whole montreal fans booing the national anthem because of the war thing wouldn’t have ever happened if they didn’t play the anthems.

Posted by UMFan from Colorado on 10/10/08 at 01:37 PM ET