March Madness: Now Congressional Democrats Getting Involved

The embarrassing spectacle of the president making picks on ESPN during the calamity in Japan and his ongoing humiliation dealing with (rather, not dealing with) Libya isn't enough. Now we have a Democrat from Connnecticut writing letters to CBS executives demanding greater access to UConn's game against Bucknell tomorrow night.

Seriously.

Since when has it become an all-consuming obsession of Democats to ignore their jobs in lieu of basketball? Do they have the slightest clue how the optics look here?

Dear Dr. Emmert and Mr. Moonves,

It has come to my attention that as many as 150,000 households in Connecticut will not be able to watch Thursday's first round NCAA Tournament game between the University of Connecticut and Bucknell University. This news is extremely disappointing, and I ask for your assistance in remedying this situation.

The 7:20 p.m. game is currently scheduled to air on TNT, which is available only to cable and satellite subscribers. WFSB, the local CBS affiliate in Connecticut, is scheduled to air the Wofford vs. Brigham Young game instead, leaving many Husky fans in the dark. To this end, I ask that WFSB be given the license rights to carry the Connecticut game in place of the currently scheduled game.

NCAA's new contract with four television channels is a significant departure from previous years. As multiple games have been televised simultaneously in the past, the NCAA and CBS has respectfully adjusted their coverage by region to ensure local fans had the opportunity to watch the hometown team. I hope that the NCAA and CBS can continue that commitment.

The NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championship is one of the strongest uniting threads in Connecticut. Husky basketball is a source of pride for just about everyone you will meet, and interest in the NCAA championship tournament can be found in every corner of the state. It is my hope you will make every effort to continue that relationship with the people of Connecticut, and permit not only Thursday night's game but all the games played by Connecticut in the tournament to be broadcasted by the local CBS affiliate.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

JOE COURTNEY
Member of Congress

The obvious solution here: Free cable and free access to every channel for everybody!