Brownback fumbles

By Michael J.W. Stickings

This was like going into the Bronx and trash-talking the Yanks (if less dangerous physically):

Note to Sen. Sam Brownback: In Packerland, it's not cool to diss Brett Favre.

The GOP presidential hopeful drew boos and groans Friday at the Wisconsin Republican Party convention when he used a football analogy to talk about the need to focus on families.

"This is fundamental blocking and tackling," he said. "This is your line in football. If you don't have a line, how many passes can Peyton Manning complete? Greatest quarterback, maybe, in NFL history."

Actually, he may be right, to a point. A good case can be made that Manning is better than Favre -- although, of course, the former's career still has quite a few years left while the latter has struggled in recent years after some incredible seasons in his prime. I just wouldn't go so far as to say that Manning is the best ever. Not yet.

But it was a rather stupid thing to say in Wisconsin, where Favre is a god and the Packers are about as important a socio-cultural institution as there is.

The cheeseheads aren't about to forget this anytime soon.

(For more on the dangers of using sports analogies, see Ed Morrissey.)