Our last past First Gentleman, Bill "Razorback" Clinton, is not quite the sports nut that his recent predecessors were or his successor, though he still disappears occasionally to hit the links or root on Arkansas Basketball. George "Naga Do It" Bush and his son are scratch golfers, fanatical horseshoes players and all around athletes.
Few Americans realize that Ronald "Dutch" Reagan was a bigger sport fan still, a fantastic swimmer and lifeguard who would have gladly chosen pro football over B-movie stardom, though some fondly recall his days as a radio sports announcer.
Should the urge arise, the Bushes and the winners in '08 can join the ranks of those who marched down the hallowed halls of the White House to "Pennsylvania Avenue's Presidential Pool Hall". The White House Billiard Room is one of the sights on the former White House tour and was placed there by our nation's fifth President, James "Eight Ball" Monroe.
Monroe gave the special room the most use in its history since he adored pool and billiards. He would have made fine competition for former Governor "Aerosmith" Weld of Massachusetts, who once made short work at his home of Judd Rose on Prime Time Live. The wealthy Weld, first in his class at Harvard, has two beautiful pool tables in his home today.
As America's pool saga continues, hopefully whoever wins in 2008 will be able to both balls and budgets.
