Obama's final four bracket: All #1 seeds

CBS/ESPN

For the third straight year, President Obama has made public his NCAA men's basketball tournament bracket, and this year the Democrat has gone conservative: His final four consists of the four number one seeds, Duke, Kansas, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.

Mr. Obama, perhaps sensitive to charges that he isn't taking risks with his picks, noted in unveiling the bracket that he has never picked all #1 seeds before.

For the national champion, Mr. Obama selected Kansas - the same team he chose last year, and one that was upset in the second round on that tournament. He acknowledged that he "got hurt" with the Kansas pick last year but said he expected the team to make it up to him this year and beat Ohio State in the final.

The president acknoweldged he got "decimated" with his picks last year. Two years ago, the president correctly picked North Carolina as national champion.

Mr. Obama discussed his picks with ESPN's Andy Katz, a conversation you can see in the video at left. He called Brigham Young University's Jimmer Fredette, the leading scorer in the country, an "unbelievable" player but predicted the team would fall to Florida because BYU has "lost their inside presence."

The reference was to BYU's decision to suspend Brandon Davies for violating the school's honor code by engaging in premarital sex.

Mr. Obama also had kind words for Connecticut's Kemba Walker, saying he "plays like a pro already." But he said UConn's youth would cause it to fall to Duke in the Elite Eight.

CBS Sports: Obama's Full Bracket
CBS Sports: Celebrity Brackets

Mr. Obama's decision to fill out the bracket and film the segment with ESPN prompted criticism from conservatives, who said he should be focused on other matters.

"Millions of Americans will be filling out a bracket this week, but only one of them is responsible for signing a federal budget, monitoring the crisis in the Middle East and assisting with a major humanitarian effort in Japan," said Repubilcan National Committee spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski. "With all of those pressing issues on the President's plate, we would be happy to hear the White House explain why filming an ESPN special on the NCAA tournament should be a priority on his public schedule."

Added new RNC chairman Reince Priebus in a Tweet: "How can @BarackObama say he is leading when puts his NCAA bracket over the budget & other pressing issues?"

Mr. Obama opened the ESPN segment by calling on Americans to go to usaid.gov and find charities through which they can make donations to the people of Japan. He said it would be a "great gesture" for Americans to donate, adding, "As you're filling out your brackets you can really help out some people who are going through a tough time."

You can see Mr. Obama's full NCAA men's basketball bracket here. On the women's side, Mr. Obama also picked all #1 seeds to reach the final four; his full bracket is here.

[frankrw2]

I used to enter those pools to pick the final four and the eventual champs and did pretty well at it, but had to give it up when I got a steady job since it took up too much time if I wanted to do anything more than just guess. I guess being the POTUS with no problems he has much more spare time than I had when working 40 hours a week or even now while I'm retired. Must be nice.

[brutomaz]

Why would I Google it? I've been paying attention for the last two years. Can you deny the debt he has incurred on our nation? No, you can't. What's in my post that says I'm full of hate and ignorance? Follow the news and you might learn you're defending the worst president in history.

[RobAla]

By all means, lets see about the President's basketball teams. Our nation plunges towards fiscal collapse with TRILLIONS of dollars being spent by the federal government that the nation DOES NOT HAVE. We still have around 9% unemployment. Japan is experiencing huge disasters and people in Libya are being slaughtered by a man that the President stated "must go". But basketball is the real need of the day.

After all - the President has been very busy with the Motown celebration, campaigning, golfing, and vacationing - he needs to relax a little and do the sports networks about basketball.

[revmar2]

I can't believe the ignorant comments about the president. He's doing a great job -- 50% approval rating according to Gallup Poll.
Though I do not agree with everything he does, I think his intelligence and coolness in a crisis are a benefit to our country -- and he will be re-elected -- and save us from the sorry slate of Republican presidential wannabees.

[RedWings_ninety_one]

I picked NC to win it all...although it would be great if Michigan were to win it...I have Michigan State failing in the first round.

[jessytell]

Obama the greatest liar in the world and the worst president in American history:
1.Obama the candidate: We need to work together. Obama the President. My way or the high way elections have consequences.
2.Obama the candidate: I will put on a pair of comfortable shoes and join the union protesters. Obama the president. NO SHOW.
3.GITMO must be closed the first year. Obama the President. After more than two years now we will have military trials at GITMO as an important tool in the war on terrorism.
4. Obama the Candidate? The constitution must be followed. Obama the President. Unconstitutional health care, refusing to obey and enforce immigration law as is his constitutional duty, refusing to protect and defend America's borders as is his constitutional duty.
5 Obama as candidate. We must adhere to the rule of law and not be like our enemy and loose the values that make us who we are. Obama as president. How we torture and threat the wiki leaks detainee is appropriate.

Etc.... You can add the other 101 items at your leisure.

[jessytell]

I saw this and though it to be perfect:

While the world is in turmoil ,the economy stale and the unemployed fighting to be fed and housed obama has his own priorities.


by MrReallyLogical March 16, 2011 4:27 PM EDT
Meanwhile, at the White House...

NCAA bracket time
Mo-Town tributes
Chicago Bulls basketball
Black History Month
Women of the Century
Meetings with J. Immelt
Tee times at 9am
Lectures on bullying
Sermons on obesity
Beer summits
Date nights
Movie nights
Meetings with unions
Monthly vacation planning
Meetings with fundraisers


Middle East crisis? Huh...??
Meltdown? What's a meltdown...??
Freedom? In the Middle East...??

Partaaaay!! Partaaaay!! Partaaaay!!

No wonder the world is laughing at us...
especially the world's dictators and despots.

by DashRipRock2012 March 16, 2011 4:57 PM EDT
Not to mention flying around on Air Force 1 at our expense for his "fund raising".

[revmar2]

What an ignorant post. Don't you realize you could make one like this for any president? JUst pick and choose all the things you don't like, and leave out all the good achievements. Too bad for you, (and good for the country) -- he will be re-elected!!

[Empire--George---]

After picking his college hoops choices on the fancy Presidential graphics boards, he heads to Brazil for carnival....sweet, gotta love the way he and his family milks the free-bees.

[Empire--George---]

For the fourth straight year, Obama decided to take his hobby of watching basketball and take it to another level, with Presidential graphics bracket boards, news conferences, etc.

Really, is this what the president is supposed to be doing in the midst of crisis abroad and severe economic problems here ? Displaying his picks in college basketball....seriously, this is who you elected ? an amateur college kid

[Empire--George---]

Let me guess.....bring up Bush in defense of Obama's wasting money on nonsense.

[catmomtx]

What would you want him to do, have an affair like Newt Gingrich and blame it on working too hard for the country?

[bud2011]

If memory serves me correctly, the issue that plague the United States did not begin with our current President. With eight years of the Bush administration, the American people were ready for change. President Obama's job is stressful and taking a break for Bracketology is no big deal. We all do things to relax and take our mind of work. As for 2012, it will be 2016 before Republicans get another a chance to create another mess.