I looked on my hall's Super Bowl obsession this past week with bemused superiority. I thought I was above wasting my life following such trivial events-that is, until I checked Daily Kos and Crooks and Liars, my favorite liberal blogs for the third time that day. I realized that my own obsession with following politics strongly mirrors the sport I was shunning.During the "preseason," or lead up to elections, I look at polls carefully, contemplating which candidate to endorse. I compile my drafting orders and hope that hopefuls will dedicate themselves to the game. I go door to door, pick up the phone and shout at the top of my lungs in support of my favorites; I spend countless dollars to score the latest merchandise and wear my jerseys and buttons with pride. On voting day, I stand outside the polls with signs and fight for visibility. As the results come in, I bite my nails and hope my effort has paid off.

Watching people root for the Bears or the Colts, or refuel the old Red Sox-Yankees debate, I can't help but think about my obsession with political contests. Often, winning a particular point-debate-or a particular game-election-completely consumes me. I forget where the rivalry began and why it continues to propagate. I forget that the Right and Left have legitimately different values. I support the champions of righteousness against the squadron of pure evil. This single drive is overarching, and takes over as I argue with my best friends over their often divergent views.

Watching the big game that is the U.S. Congress on C-SPAN, I can't help but take sides. I cheer as speakers triumphantly champion issues and run them for a touchdown, and boo as procedural referees hold up the various yellow and red cards of stalled debate or filibustering. Like a sports fanatic following statistics that are both minute and important, I compulsively scan the latest voting records. I consider whether a congressperson voted with the AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood or other such groups like a sponsor searching for the ideal player to endorse. I nitpick every word, action and glance for the slightest sign of flip-flopping, hypocrisy or strain. I am quick to voice my disappointment; quick to condemn anyone who steps out of line. I compulsively call or e-mail to voice my approval or apprehension. Even when someone has a perfect record, there is always a drive to go even further that keeps me standing there cheering him on.

On the football field, yard markings are absolute. First down is granted for a predictable number of completions; in the political arena, however, the distance one needs to travel and the yardage one needs to maintain control of the ball is maddeningly inconsistent. It is at times harrowing and frustrating, but always an exhilarating process. I often envy the certainty of rigid and unchanging athletic rules, as corruption and pork are constantly changing the very foundations of the game I love. I cry when dirty maneuvers and tricks rule the day and long for a clean game in which each side can give its all.

Of course, with politics, usually issues and not candidates are the focus. Yet, in the lead up to the 2008 presidential election, where personalities constantly clash and every action is instantly captured and spread on YouTube, I feel just a bit more like a spectator standing and cheering as my favorite team scores and screaming as they fumble. Even if those fumbles have real consequences and can lead to the death of thousands of U.S. troops, still, the game goes on.