The Four Corners Political Strategy

[Rob Sullivan]

Perhaps you like basketball.  If so, you realize that most competitive levels of the sport have shot clocks that require teams to attempt a shot  within 24 seconds or 35 seconds depending on the time allocated. 

Why did leagues and commissioners institute shot clocks?  Coaches would milk the clock once their team built a lead.  Dean Smith, legendary Coach at North Carolina, maintained a "four corners" offense where his players spent the balance of the game passing to each other provided UNC had a lead.  You can imagine how exciting the four corners offense was for fans. 

The NBA and college basketball essentially outlawed the four corners.  However, the practice apparently remains alive and well in politics.  The Romney campaign hopes to keep Obama's talents at bay by running out the clock.

This article also make another cogent point.  While voters focus on the economy, the president ultimately enjoys greater foreign policy authority and impact.

[Jessica Farnell]

Dr. Sullivan, I found this read to be very interesting. The metaphor between basketball and politics is neat and helpful for gaining understanding. It definitely illuminates the use of strategy to impede the opposing side. Looking at the way in which teams "run out the clock" in basketball helped me connect the dots with presidential elections and even the passing of bills in Congress. Given the discussion of presidential campaign and action in the course, this is a good topic to look at. There is significance to the way these things flow. A process such as a "shot-clock" would likely be helpful to implement in the political world. It would certainly be important to propose the idea. This would be something that I would encourage looking into. As a christian, it is important to take an honest approach and treat every situation with integrity. Attempting to impede political progress by drawing things out in an unnecessary fashion is not entirely honorable. It is best to take an approach that encourages discussion and the most honest method possible.