Sports Team Owners on Election 2012 // Redskins for Romney, Wizards & Caps for Obama, Orioles for the Dems

The Associated Press decided to kick off 2012's year of political coverage by merging the two cash cows of television advertising: 1) sports and 2) presidential elections. In an article today, they highlight notable political contributions by high profile sports figures. In the D.C. Metro area, we appear to have a split ticket. The AP reports on the following "sports figures who have made political donations for this year's elections...."

Redskins for Romney

• "Washington Redskins quarterback John Beck, $400 to GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney" 

• "Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, $2,500 to Romney and $10,000 to National Republican Congressional Committee"

Wizards/Capitals for Obama

• "Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, $35,800 to Obama Victory Fund; $2,000 to Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Mass.; and $2,000 to Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md."

Orioles for Democrats

• "Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos, $30,400 to DSCC; $33,300 to Pelosi Victory Fund (with money split between Pelosi and DCCC)"

Now, before you start jumping to conclusions, I will admit that I looked up more of Dan Snyder's past contributions, and he appears at first glance to be a bi-partisan donor. However, if you look carefully at his contributions, you can see that he supports the Republican Party directly and its candidates. But he only occasionally donates to moderate Democrats -- not to the Party directly. You can look up Snyder and others at the FEC's website: http://fec.gov/finance/disclosure/norindsea.shtml

Here is a quick example of results from Redskins owner Dan Snyder's past contributions:

Republicans:

1. MCCAIN, JOHN S. - VIA MCCAIN-PALIN COMPLIANCE FUND INC.
2. HATCH, ORRIN GRANT - VIA ORRIN HATCH PRESIDENTIAL EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE INC
3. STEELE, MICHAEL - VIA STEELE FOR MARYLAND INC
4. NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
5. FORBES, STEVE - VIA FORBES 2000 INC
6. REPUBLICAN PARTY OF VIRGINIA INC
7. ALLEN, GEORGE - VIA FRIENDS OF GEORGE ALLEN
8. WOLF, FRANK R. - VIA FRIENDS OF FRANK WOLF

Democrats:

1. CLINTON, HILLARY RODHAM - VIA HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON FOR US SENATE COMMITTEE INC
2. CARNAHAN, MEL - VIA CARNAHAN FOR SENATE COMMITTEE
3. JEAN A. CARNAHAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
4. MCCASKILL, CLAIRE - VIA MCCASKILL FOR MISSOURI
5. HOYER, STENY HAMILTON - VIA HOYER FOR CONGRESS

Note: If you look up Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos instead, you will see a long record of Democratic giving. Does Dan Snyder have a problem with President Obama? Snyder donated to Hillary and McCain in the past, and now it appears he's donating to Romney instead of Obama? Very interesting!