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Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:56 pm EDT

Scott Gomez on Palin: 'It's politics, man; throw the gloves off'

By Greg Wyshynski

(Ed. Note: You may have noticed we've experienced some Y! Sports blog-wide technical difficulties today. The Geek Squad's working the bugs out.)

When Gov. Sarah Palin joined the Republican ticket as John McCain's vice presidential pick, Scott Gomez of the New York Rangers was bumped down a notch on the list of the most famous living Alaskans. (He's no Curt Schilling, but he's gotta be more popular than Jewel in 2008, right?)

At a press event recently, Gomez was asked about Barack Obama's infamous "lipstick on a pig" comment, which caused a whirlwind of controversy before the U.S. financial system started coming apart at the seams and people suddenly stopped caring about made-up controversies for a moment. Anyhoo, from the NY Daily News, here's Gomer on his home state's potential veep:

So what does Gomez think about Obama's controversial quote? The 28-year-old center from Anchorage likens politics to a good old-fashioned hockey brawl. "It's politics, man - throw the gloves off," said Gomez, who joined four of his teammates at the Garden Friday to unveil artists' renderings of the new Rangers locker room and fitness center that are part of a planned $500 million renovation of the Garden. "You can't take it personal. We're Alaskans ... we don't let things bother us. I'm sure (Palin) could handle it.

"I've met her once at an event couple of years ago," Gomez added. "It doesn't matter if you're voting for her or not. If you're Alaskan, you have to be proud."

And hey, at the very least, she's putting more money in Tina Fey's pocket, right?

Gomez was attending the unveiling of a model for a renovated Madison Square Garden; one that The Sports Hernia said resembled the "left Styrofoam support for world's largest DVD player." Among the changes coming to MSG for the 2011-12 season are the "curving in the middle and upper bowl areas 17 degrees," which will allow Rangers fans to put less strain in their vocal chords when hurling homophobic insults at opposing teams.

As for Gomez, he took a ton of flack last season despite solid numbers because he didn't click with Jaromir Jagr. It's a little frightening that he and Chris Drury are facing the same question entering this year's camp: Can they click with newly acquired Markus Naslund and/or Nikolai Zherdev? Will the Rangers load up a top line with both wingers and Gomez?

The anticipation is there for Zherdev's game to be activated by Gomez. In 2001, Gomez helped another Russian winger (albeit a left-handed one) named Mogilny to a 43-goal season. Alexander's obviously a much better player than Nikolai; but Gomez is also a much better player than he was in 2001.

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42 Comments

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  1. Jon A
    1. Posted by Jon A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    For what it's worth, I can't stand Barack Obama and it would be terrible for this country to be ruled by a Marxist like this guy. It's scary that people can hear the term redistribution of wealth come from his mouth and not recognize this as coming from the Communist Manifesto. He doesn't tell you that he plans to raise the income tax on sole proprietorships to 50 percent and other atrocities. He is a revolutionary socialist, and it's an accurate statement to call him a communist any way you slice it. However, I really can't wait for real hockey to start.
  2. # huit
    2. Posted by # huit Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    as much as i despise finland's government, compared to palin they actually almost seem like reasonable human beings (and since the prime minister just suggested that finland should go to garden cities, it's really bad)
    and rangers couldn't succeed with jagr, without him they suck even more (i hope)
  3. jibblescribbits
    3. Posted by jibblescribbits Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    Wysh: Sports and Politics sort of collide here
    Everyone else: I'm angry but I have nothing to say... rabble rabble rabble
  4. SC
    4. Posted by SC Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

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    Yeah, OK. Obama's a communist. McCain is really going to make things better, no? Bad wars, failed financial institutions, and horrible government, and you want that same party back in office? I'll take Obama over McCain any day.
  5. Wyshynski
    5. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ Scotty Hockey --
    Are you pretending that the only homophobic remarks made a Rangers game are directed towards Dancing Larry?
    Because I'm assuming you've been to the same Garden I've been to.
  6. Hyphen
    6. Posted by Hyphen Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

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    @ Jon A
    Obama has wide support because most Americans, especially the youth in this country, have no idea what the philosophies of Communism are. I am a college student and my only teaching through all of school about the Cold War and the Communist teachings were from reading George Orwell's Animal Farm. Thankfully I am one of the seemingly few Americans who enjoy taking time to read and understand the history of this country. If the citizens of this country aren't learning about the history of these ideals in school they are only informed from one source: The American Media Machine.
  7. Hyphen
    7. Posted by Hyphen Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

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    Continued:
    It is pretty evident that the media system is in total love with Obama and the Socialist school of thought, not liberalism since surprise, socialism brings 0 liberties. I don't support McCain's views on immigration, abortion, and several other issues, but I would rather have him as President than a Marxist any day of the week. Redistribute the money I work for? You first Mr. Obama and all you other millionaire socialist politicians.
  8. carl_vs_mastershake
    8. Posted by carl_vs_mastershake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    I love how the Rangers are spending $500 million in renovation for fitnes centers and painting locker rooms, while down the road in Nassau County, the Islanders locker gets flooded every time a toilet flushes somewhere in the building.
  9. Tom V
    9. Posted by Tom V Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    Quite hilarious that You guys (Hyphen, Jon A) are trying to pass off Obama's political views and policies as marxist/socialist. It seems you do not quite understand that socialism is where the government directs or controls the MEANS of production in an economy, commonly known as Nationalization. Passing off a progressive tax system as a "socialist school of thought" really shows how much the republican smear machine runs your life, turn off faux news buddy.
    LETS GO RANGERS!
  10. .................................................!
    10. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    I'm almost attempted to respond to a few of these posts...instead I'll just say this:
    Even if Obama was calling Pallin a pig with lipstick (which he wasn't)...is he really wrong?
  11. NYR10LSC
    11. Posted by NYR10LSC Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    I love that the Rangers can bring both the left and the right together. I'm voting Messier for Prez even though he's Canadian (and not running). Perhaps his leadership can bring the good 'ol USofA back around again.
    Wysh, politics and sports do not mix...well
  12. carl_vs_mastershake
    12. Posted by carl_vs_mastershake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    Also Jon A do you get a royality everytime you post the word Marxist in a blog today?
  13. joe h
    13. Posted by joe h Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:26 pm EDT

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    Wysh, you devils fans aren't exactly angels either, haha
    Arghhhh, the season needs to start..
  14. lenny
    14. Posted by lenny Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

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    OH-NO. Obama?? You have to be kidding right?? How can anyone be that stupid to think this guy deserves to be president??.
    He'll take this country down faster than an Ovechkin goal. Hes a Marxist, liberal, big, cradle to grave government tax you to death phony.
    Palin has more experience to be president than Obama and they know it. Look at the way they are bashing her, hate, hate hate, from the party of tolerance, haaaaaaa, hypocrites!
    OH Yeah, Go Rangers!!
  15. emily h
    15. Posted by emily h Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

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    You gotta be kidding me, Palin is just the political flavor of the day. Once everyone sees what a VP poser she is, McCain's numbers will drop faster than todays DOW!
    Scotty Gomez is past his prime. I have yet to see him put up the numbers he did 5 years ago.
    Now this guy, he should be one of Alaska's famous living Alaskans: http://www.youtube.com/user/JamesatWar
    Halo 3 lovers, check this out it's brilliant! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOkF0McZKIw
  16. robbie
    16. Posted by robbie Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    @emily h: "You gotta be kidding me, Palin is just the political flavor of the day. Once everyone sees what a VP poser she is, McCain's numbers will drop faster than todays DOW!"
    That's already happening. It was happening hours after she was announced as McCain's VP. Some in the media (Fox News and other GOP fluffers) might be ignoring it and making it seem as if it's energized the Republican base, which is partly true, but the fact of the matter is it's energized the Obama campaign even more. The week of the RNC Obama got a boatload of money in contributions to his campaign, especially after Palin's speech.
    As for Scott Gomez, he's another weasel who has to say "I'm proud of Alaska" instead of calling a spade a spade - Palin is being used to get more women to vote for McCain and she is extremely unqualified to be the next vice president. Scott is also one of the most overpaid, if not THE most overpaid player in the NHL. If not for Jagr he wouldn't have gotten 1 point against the Penguins in the playoffs, when they were beaten badly in 5 games. The Rangers are now 0-4 in playoff series against Pittsburgh. :D
  17. Craig
    17. Posted by Craig Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:54 pm EDT

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    "I want some of that internet money"
  18. Nick
    18. Posted by Nick Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:27 pm EDT

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    Every country deserves the President they vote for. So technically, we deserved Al Gore. Haha. If you guys honestly think Palin has more experience than Obama, vote for her. Stop talking about politics in an NHL blog. That's pathetic. Vote for who you think is right, and let you're vote do the talking.
  19. justin s
    19. Posted by justin s Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:49 pm EDT

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    Just because it's socialized medicine (universal healthcare), doesn't make it communism. Do the research on it. It works very well in plenty of other amazing and not so amazing countries. Redistribution of wealth is needed in order to kep this country from a future revolution. When you have too large of a gap between the have and the have nots, the have nots tend to revolt as proven by history. The middle class is being consumed by consumerism. The rich are fine, the middle class either scrape their way into the boat or sink to the lower class which is happening more and more. It is obvious that the presesnt administration has destroyed both the economy and nearly all foreign relations. I can see why Americans could care less about foreign policy, most never venture out of their own state; let alone their towns. For all those out there making that house payment, loving the healthcare plan, driving around in that massive V8, following the cry of "if ya ain't with us, you're against us", voting for the good ol' boys cause they got god on their side, you're the reason this country is heading down the [profane]ter. It's the self centerd, do everything for me, who cares about anyone else attitude that needs to be adjusted in this country, but sadly will never be. Because being fat, lazy and stupid is just way easier. The Republicans proved that one last election.
  20. evans p
    20. Posted by evans p Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    Come on Guys...Its to soon to be talkin NHL...NOOOOBAMA 08.....And whoever is liking Finlands goverment...Move there...If it wasnt for Palin type American politics..They all would be speaking German...Rouuusss
  21. Alaska Goalie
    21. Posted by Alaska Goalie Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    As an Alaska, I am proud of both Scotty and Sarah. Both have done a lot for our state, and I'm not just talking about recognition. I am also a state employee and personally know that a lot of the stuff being said about her is simply untrue. People are going to listen to what they want to hear.
  22. briank
    22. Posted by briank Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    evans p, pay attention. He said he despised Finlands government, and I think he might be from Finland, based on other posts I've seen from him. (Correct me if I'm wrong, jesuisdanslamerde.) Also, the Democrats were in office when we got involved in World War 2, and the Neo-Cons like Palin and Bush didn't exist at the time. Also, the Karl Rove School of Douchebaggery didn't exist, and so there were no Palin-type American politics.
  23. Jon A
    23. Posted by Jon A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    @ Tom V and everyone else who loves Obama, yes I know exactly what communism is. And if you don't think that redistribution of wealth is a major tenant of communism then you have no idea what socialism and communism are. Thank you Hyphen for being the only educated person here and seeing through this guy. Tom V must be one of those guys who makes 15 grand a year and wants rich people's money so he can pay his utility bill which Obama makes a big deal about. I don't agree with McCain on many issues, and since I know everyone is going to yell this at me, I am not rich. But I would much rather have him in office than a communist not to mention someone who just wants to surrender to a terrorist group that many Americans have died for.
  24. William
    24. Posted by William Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    robbie - calling a "spade a spade" with regards to palin only selected as VP to get the women vote. would you also say that Barck is only selected to get the black vote?
    problem for you is the women will show up to vote but those Barack is depending on are highly unreliable. Get ready for 4 years of McCain followed by 8 years of Palin. liberals lose again!
  25. Jon A
    25. Posted by Jon A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    Those of you who don't see through all this pie in the sky stuff Obama is promising need to look closer. What happened to ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country? Yeah I know that was just JFK but it was a good principle. Many people on this blog seem to be ok that Obama wants to give out handouts to people but they don't realize that he wants to raise the income tax for small business owners of sole proprietors to 50 percent, THE VERY PEOPLE HE SWEARS TO GOD HE IS TRYING TO PROTECT!!!! That will kill small businesses as their tax rate is already way to high. McCain wants to nearly double the personal exemption from tax (up to about 7K) which is what will really help the middle class. Those of you lazy people looking for a handout, be prepared to get screwed by Osama (oops I meant Obama)

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