SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Barack Obama Takes South Carolina in RiverDogs' Bobblection

Published on August 8, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - If Charleston RiverDogs' fans are any indication, then Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States.

The RiverDogs, one of the six Minor League Baseball teams of The Goldklang Group, conducted their Bobblection on Friday, Aug. 8, as the first 1,000 fans "voted" for either Barack Obama or John McCain by accepting a bobblehead likeness of each presidential candidate. The candidate whose bobble-likeness ran out first was declared the winner.

Earlier in the week, The Group's Hudson Valley (NY) Renegades and the Brockton (MA) Rox held their elections and Obama walked away with a close 51.8 percent of the vote.

In Charleston, the range was much larger as Obama supporters first reached the 500 mark for their bobbleheads. McCain fans were at 360.

This year marks the second presidential election in which The Goldklang Group has participated in the mock election. In 2004 the promotion correctly predicted the outcome of the election as George W. Bush won in four of the seven participating ballparks with the closest race being in St. Paul (MN) when Democratic nominee John Kerry won by a mere 18 bobbleheads.

In addition to the Bobblection, fans also participated in several other baseball-related issues. RiverDogs fans favored natural grass over artificial turf by a 92.1 percent margin while 55.2 percent favored the rule where the pitchers get to bat.

In other ballots, Instant Replay was favored by 71.9 percent of the fans polled, while Hank Aaron was favored by an overwhelming 81.8 percent of the fans as the true home run king as opposed to Barry Bonds. Meanwhile, 61.2 percent of the fans favored Pete Rose to be elected into baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

For the first time, authentic voting machines, compliments of the Charleston County Board of Elections, were used in the process.

Voting booths consisted of four portable toilets where signs were posted for John in the John and Barack in the Bathroom.

"We were somewhat surprised that Obama captured the victory by such a large margin since South Carolina has typically been a red state," said Assistant General Manager Jim Pfander. "I thought that everyone was into the promotion and had the right frame of mind. Everyone had fun with it, which was our primary intention."

The remaining elections of The Goldklang Group's teams include St. Paul Saints (MN) on Aug. 9; Sioux Falls Canaries (SD) on Aug. 10; and Ft. Myers Miracle (FL) on Aug. 11.

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