EDITOR'S NOTE: In this most important of election years, it's time to find out where ESPN.com users ultimately stand. On sports, that is. So leading up to Election Day on Nov. 2, Page 2 is presenting the campaigns, the platforms and -- yes -- the candidates for the two major parties of sports fans: the Purists and the Progressives. We've introduced the presidential candidates, Hank Lombard of the Purists and Destiny Sweetwater for the Progressives. Today, their running mates, the two candidates for Vice President of SportsNation -- Christopher Beiler for the Purists and Jamaal Anthony for the Progressives -- go head-to-head in one final debate, and answer questions from you, the fans.
| JAMAAL'S OPENING STATEMENT | CHRISTOPHER'S OPENING STATEMENT |
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 CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO JAMAAL! |
 CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO CHRISTOPHER! |
TRAVIS (Collegeville, PA): What athlete, past or present, best exemplifies your party's values? What player best exemplifies your opponent's party?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: Good question. I would probably go with Michael Vick. He is young, hip, new, he's got it all. He has the Madden jinx so he has that going for him! He's on the cover of everything and he is an underdog right now. He is a progressive to say the least. I'm a big fan!
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: Barry Sanders. He was very flashy on the field, but he was very humble, a great role model, team-first, etc. He really exemplifies our party because he was such a hard worker.
RASHAD (Portland, OR): Is Terrell Owens good for the game of football?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I believe he is great for the game. But his off-the-field comments overshadow him. His great athleticism is often ignored because he has a big mouth. He would be best served if he just kept it on the field.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I have to agree here. He is good for the game and controversy sells, but he does go over the top. It becomes gross and embarassing at some point.
JAMES (Red Sox Nation): Off-colored jerseys ... i.e., pink Red Sox hats or red Yankees hats ... fashionable, or a disgrace to the teams?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: It's fashion. It's not a disgrace to the team. Why not be able to accessorize with your team? As long as it's not Calvin Hobbes peeing on a logo, it's fine. It adds flair and supports your team.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I don't have problems with different colors. But the one thing that bothers me is people wearing them that don't follow the team. It's OK if you are a fan of the team.
CHRIS (Altoona, PA): How about a retirement cap! Players should only be allowed one comeback attempt!
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I agree! That makes retirement what it should be ... retirement! It's absurd to see Ricky take a year off to smoke pot and then want to come back.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I do agree that when players come back, it does make things look infantile. However, sports is like any other job. They have played since they were children. The desire will always be there to come back. It's their essence and who they are. They don't know anything else. And people will always want them back. Deion Sanders wouldn't be back if there wasn't a market for him. But there is.
| ELECTION 2004: PROGRESSIVES VS. PURISTS |
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JAMAAL ANTHONY: I was just thinking about that ... I like it, but I wish it was either in both leagues or neither. It almost becomes comical when the WS comes around and it's a free out. The DH is what got the Red Sox to the World Series.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I'm 100 percent against it. How hard it is to play first base? If you can hit a home run, you should be able to play first base. If you are making millions and can't play first base, you aren't a baseball player ... and that's using that term liberally.
JT (Atlanta, GA): Models as ball girls? Does it belittle those who have spent all their lives chasing after balls just to make it to Centre Court, or is it nice to have some hot girls on the court that don't have game (other than Anna K.)?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: Who io going to complain about hot girls on the tennis court? But I do wonder about the intergrity of the game. At what point does this overcome the integrity of the game? What is next?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: Yeah, the red-blooded male in me will concur with models on anything.
BRIAN (Raleigh, NC): How do you feel about the decline in men's college basketball, with the NBA taking an insane amount of players straight form high school. Should the NBA have an age limit like the NFL?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: No! I don't agree with the NFL's age limit. But I understand it. I don't feel as though it's necessary to prohibit people to go into the workplace. If I got offered a job at IBM right out of high school, it would be ridiculous to say no. I just don't see the need for a limit.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I don't think there should be a hard-line limit ... but for all those high school guys that succeed, many of them get lied to and offered things they won't get. That hurts the game.
CHRIS (Dallas, TX): Is there too much parity in the NFL, or do you like the fact that a team can win almost any week? Do you want more dynasties in the NFL?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: This is awesome. It's tremendous for the sport. Albeit it was nice when the Cowboys and Niners were going 14-2 every season, but it's more interesting to know the Cardinals might pull the upset.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: As a Lions fan, I can't disagree with parity. But there is a myth that we don't have great teams anymore. The Pats are pretty darn close to a dyanasty. Parity is overrated.
TIM (Austin): How do we get the NHL back in action? Who's more at fault here, the players or the owners?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I'm not a diehard. But I do care about the NHL. The ticket prices are ridiculous. The owners spend money like it's the NFL, and they just don't have the fan support to back it up. The owners are too greedy.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: Anytime there is a lockout, I believe the owners share the majority of the blame. There are countless jobs involved here, from the vendors to the ticket sellers, and for that reason I can't support a lockout.
TRAVIS (Wayne, PA): Ichiro's hit record ... what's your take on records broken in longer seasons?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I do think it's legit. Especially considering it didn't get much fanfare. You can argue how valid it is, but it means a lot to sports fans.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: It's not Ichiro's fault that the season is longer. Go Ichiro!
JESSICA (Yonkers, NY): For each of you, what is the one thing you would most like to change about sports?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: For me, it would be the NBA playoffs. A seven-game series in the first round is riduculous. It's good for the owners, but bad for fans.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: The BCS! We need a playoff, once and for all!
CHIP (Boston, MA): Should Barry Bonds be tested every week, and should all of his records have an asterisk?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: All MLB players should be tested. But if he is innocent, why wouldn't he be testing himself and letting everyone know? I don't want to accuse him, but I know how I would handle it.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I have to agree. All players need to be tested on a regular basis.
ALLEN (Worcester, MA): Are you against instant replay? Considering how much is riding on these games, isn't it important to make sure the games get called right?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I like the way the NFL handles it, where it is limited. But I dont think we need it in MLB. Human error is just part of the game.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I like replay. It's a business. There are millions of dollars involved. We should use any and all technology to get it right. It's like using DNA in court. If it makes the trial longer, too bad, you still use it. The ALCS umps did a great job, but assistance isn't going to hurt anyone.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: But where do you draw the line? With balls and strikes, are we going to review every pitch? If you bring replay in, you are opening the doors to that.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I agree you, you have to have limitations. You can't use it after every pitch. I wouldn't use it in the batter's box.
BRIAN (St. Louis, MO): What is your opinion on the degree of heckling that should be tolerable by athletes? In other words, does the purchase of tickets give fans the right to say whatever they want?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I live near Philly so I go to games all the time. I'm a typical Philly fan, but not violent. I try to be tasteful. It's the players' job to ignore it. But there is never an excuse for throwing things on the field.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: You are entitled to cheer however you want ... but when you make references to the players' personal lives, that is crossing the line. When Celtics fans were giving Jason Kidd a hard time about the issues with his wife, that was over the line.
MARY (Akron, OH): Please enter your question. It seems like each sports season gets longer and longer. Do you think this should be changed?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I think it depends on the sport. In basketball, players complain but it's because the regular season is almost meaningless. With baseball it's an accomplishement to make the playoffs, but in basketball it is not.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I think the season lengths are fine. Basketball is kind of frustrating. But I don't have a problem with it.
JASON (Omaha, NE): What is your take on the Ohio State-Michigan game being sponsored? Is anything sacred anymore?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I don't think it's a big problem. These are money-making machines out here. Why not? If these companies want to fund a school, why not?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: It's wrong. It sums up what is wrong with college sports. The schools are making money, but the athletes don't? This is why the players are leaving early to go pro. It's an instituion of learning, not a money-making machine.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I used to think that. But the more money the school makes, that more money that's spent on the athletes. It also leads to more national exposure for the kids.
JOE (Philadelphia, PA): Summarize the World Series from each of your perspectives.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I'm a Yanks fan so I'm biased! I have to admit though that I wanted the Sox to win. I felt it was a phenomenal feat for baseball. It was great. This is a nation of Yankee haters ... the Yankees are to baseball what America is to the World. Baseball needed this. It was great for Pedro and those guys.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: When the Red Sox win, it's nothing but historical and fun. But it was a big letdown after that ALCS. I think this postseason is probably the best I've seen in awhile ... but the World Series, not so great.
PHIL (Dallas, TX): Should the new Washington baseball club use the old Senators nickname or pick a new one? Also, has expansion depleted the modern pitching staff, increasing offensive numbers, or do the hitters deserve credit?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I think Senators would be very cool. It's obviously appropriate. As long as it's not the Expos!
JAMAAL ANTHONY: Yes! No Expos! It would be "cute" to be named the Senators. I have no problem with that.
CHRIS (Dallas, TX): Should MLB set up a World Championship against Japan after the World Series?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: Cute idea ... but when do you do it? Baseball doesn't have much of an offseason. I doubt if the players would be very interested in it. If might work if the year was 500 days long.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: Yeah, we are kind of greedy as fans. I'm not sure fans would care much about that. It would get bizarre and weird at some point.
ANDY (Westchester, PA): What are your thoughts on touchdown celebrations as well as complaining for a pass interference flag every time a receiver doesn't catch a ball?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I love them! Love them! I thought the cell phone was hilarious. As long as it is not disrespectul to the other team. In soccer, players do so much more than what we see in the NFL. What's wrong with it?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: Well, it's annoying to see Freddie Mitchell celebrating after a first down. Some of the choreographed stuff is lame. But if it's after a real accomplishment, I'm cool with it.
MARTY (Boise, ID): Should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: Yes. Point blank. Yes. Rose has served his time. He should be in the Hall.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER:Yes, with an asterisk. If he was the first player to do it, then no, he shouldn't be in. But we have already set the precedent. Ty Cobb is in, and he was much worse. But there should be an asterisk.
JOE (Boston, MA): How do you think they should have handled the All-Star game tie a few years ago? Home Run Derby, leave it as a tie, demand extra innings, or what?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: Play till somebody wins! We saw a D-Backs game where Mark Grace pitched just to finish the game! If anything, maybe change the rule so a pitcher could come back after leaving the game. This tie was an example of Bud's incompetence.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I agree completely on that one.
KYLE (Amarillo, TX): Where should soccer fall in the American sports spectrum?
JAMAAL ANTHONY:Soccer is a weird thing. The U.S. women's team was a powerhouse and the men's team was like the Brewers or something. I don't have a buddy who hasn't played soccer at some point in his life. It's going places, but as a country we are still behind. We will catch up.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I find soccer entertaining. But I don't think it will ever catch on. Freddy Adu was the chance to do it. But as Americans, we just don't want to devote too much time to sports that we aren't dominant in.
MARY (Akron, OH): What is you favorite sport and why? What is THE great American sport?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: Personally, my favorite sport is football. But I think baseball is still America's game. It goes in cycles. But right now I think the national pastime is still baseball.
JAMAAL ANTHOY: As hard as ESPN may try to make poker the new pastime, it's still baseball.
BRIAN (Raleigh, NC): How should home-field advantage in the MLB postseason be decided? I'm not a fan of the All-Star Game deciding it. Shouldn't it just alternate every year?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: I think rather than alternating, it's nice to have something to play for. I'm for it.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: The funny thing is, alternating isn't any better. The home field advantage should go to the team that wins the All Star game.
MIKE (Austin, TX): Where do you stand on the "cut-block" issue. Yes, I am a Broncos fan.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I think it is part of the game. It's not the cleanest thing, but it is legal. It's legal BUT ... you don't want to teach it to little kids. When I played, I wouldn't do it. It's a dangerous game.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: It's a part of the game. It's not something every player will do ... but it's part of the game and it's not dirty.
TRAVIS (Wayne, PA): Who do you start a team with, Shaq or Kobe?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: Shaq!
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: Shaq!
JAMAAL ANTHONY: He's not only the greatest center, but the most fortunate. Everybody had a dominant center when he came in to the league, and he got to learn how to play the game. Now he has only one guy giving him competition, Yao.
JEFF (Tulsa, OK): Should there be a salary cap in baseball?
JAMAAL ANTHONY: Yes. There should be. After a certain point, spending just gets ridiculous. As heartwarming as it was to see the Red Sox win, they had the second highest payroll in the majors ... they had to have that to win.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: Unfortunately we do need one. But I'm tired of seeing the Yanks as the bad guy. Any team in baseball could have taken the risks George Steinbrenner did. But they didn't. I think there should be one, but some teams just haven't practiced smart business.
SETH (Des Moines, IA): Why shouldn't the team with the best record get home field advantage in the playoffs? Haven't they earned it?
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: I'll clear it up. In the AL you have a bigger division of power. In the NL it is much more competitive. So it's just not fair.
JAMAAL ANTHONY: In the AL, the Yanks and Red Sox are in the same division! Just settle it in the All-Star game!
JAMAAL ANTHONY:Thanks for all the great questions. Sports are progressing, and we are going in new directions, and this is an exciting time. Sports are better as a whole and we are making it better and better.
CHRISTOPHER BEILER: This was fun. The Purist party is tired of all this expansion and greedy owners. We have to move back to fans being the most important thing!