The Washington Nationals did nothing to dispell the notion that they are preparing to let Teddy win the presidents race after clinching their first division championship Monday night at Nationals Park.
Fans arriving early for the newly-minted “Teddy in 2012” series were given Teddy-themed “eye black” decals promoting the cause for #26 himself. That much was known before the game.
But few expected Arizona senator John McCain to appear on the Nationals Park HD scoreboard in the third inning, giving the Rough Rider a pep talk in advance of the race.
In the video, shown below, McCain catches Teddy playing in a kiddy pool in the Nationals Park tunnel.
“You’re my hero. You’re the guy I admire the most,” McCain says, “and this is the way you get ready for a game?” McCain goes on to call Teddy “the victim of a vast left wing conspiracy by the Commie pinko libs in this town.”
After promising a full investigation by the United States Senate, McCain goes inspirational. “The Nats are winning,” he says in the video. “They are there, and you’re gonna lead ’em, Teddy, and you’re gonna win.”
The next inning, Teddy gave it a spectacular effort and looking fit as a bull moose, sprinted out to a big lead, but fell forward onto the warning track under his own momentum.
Perhaps inspired by McCain’s words, Teddy lept back to his feet and pushed ahead for the finish line, with George Washington hot on his tail.
That’s when the father of our country put his finish line experience into play, diving head first to take the tape and move into a tie for first with Abraham Lincoln.
Congratulations to the 2012 Nationals League East Champions.
In the two weeks since McCain appeared on ESPN and called for a congressional investigation in a Ken Burns-narrated video about Teddy and the presidents race, the Arizona Senator has become the most high-profile member of the Let Teddy Win movement. In fact, the publicity it generated, including a response by the White House, inspired the Nationals to turn this final homestand into a Teddy-themed series.
Finish line video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome
Teddy 26 “Eye black” photo courtesy of reader Maurice Werner.
LET TEDDY WIN 
Folks — with respect, you need to know that Teddy is NEVER going to win this race. Too many things going against it.
First of all, is TR himself. Several times, I’ve seen Teddy in the lead, then veer into the stands to talk with some voter who beckoned to him — irresistible to any politician. Another time he wanted a hot dog. Although a great hunter and outdoorsman, he is kind of clumsy. He has tripped over bats, tarps, gloves — and once over nothing. A blade of grass, I think.
Second, as long as great Americans like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln trip him … shove him aside …ellbow past him .. step on his heels — he cannot win. Once, the noble Thomas Jefferson pulled Teddy down from behind by the collar! In football, it would be a personal foul. In politics, all’s fair.
I hate to be so affirmative, but Teddy Roosevelt will simply NEVER win this race. Between his own varying attentions, and his surprisingly less than scrupulous opponents, he simply can’t.
Ask Victoria’s Secret to sell full-coverage khaki jump suits … ask the birds to fly backward … ask the Man in the Moon to kiss the Sun … ask Barry Obama to be responsible, truthful, and fair – and to take responsibility for a 16 Trillion Dollar Deficit … but don’t ever expect Theodore Roosevelt to win that foot race at Nationals Park. The Laws of Nature, Physics, and Politics just won’t have it!
Sigh…..