On a campaign swing through the South, President Ford turned up one day with Alabama Football Coach Paul ("Bear") Bryant at his side. While a crowd watched and TV cameras whirred, Bryant smiled benevolently, reached over and patted the President on the head. "That was worth 100,000 votes in football-crazy Mississippi," said a happy Ford aide later.
Political candidates have always welcomed a pat on the back, or even the head, if it came from a celebrity who could swing some votes. So, too, this year. Lest Big Ten football fans feel slighted,...
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