Clinton revels in Giants’ Super Bowl victory, sees omen
February 4, 2008
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton became a super fan of the New York Giants Sunday, reveling in their upset of the New England Patriots — and even seeing an omen for her own political future.
“Super Bowl, Super Tuesday, we’ve got one down, let’s get the other,” said Clinton.
Clinton has said she’s banking on the “New York team” to carry the day in football’s biggest test, and in a mega-round of primaries next Tuesday. With their 17-14 win, the Giants held up their end of the bargain.
Clinton held a campaign rally in Minneapolis, but gathered with about 200 backers at a local sports bar to watch football’s biggest event.
When New York scored the go-ahead touchdown with 35 seconds remaining, Clinton leaped up and high-fived some young people standing near.
“That was unbelievable,” she said. “Oh my gosh.”
Filing out of the room after the game, Clinton gushed to reporters.
“I’m so excited, I’m thrilled,” said Clinton. “It was a fabulous game.”
Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, watched the game with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Clinton cheered for the Giants and Richardson rooted on the Patriots as they watched the Super Bowl at the governor’s mansion in Santa Fe, two days ahead of the state’s Democratic presidential caucus.
Richardson spokesman Pahl Shipley said there was no talk about Richardson endorsing Hillary Clinton before Super Tuesday.
Republican candidate Mitt Romney caught the end of the game at a hotel in Nashville, Tenn. The former Massachusetts governor seemed heartbroken after his hometown Patriots lost the lead in the game’s final minute.
“You stay here and watch the celebration; I’m going to bed,” Romney told his traveling press corps.
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Associated Press writer Felicia Fonseca in Santa Fe and Glen Johnson in Nashville contributed to this report.