Super Bowl politicking

In a U.S. election year, there is just no escaping politics. Just ask the hundred million or so viewers of the Super Bowl on Sunday. 

Along with the game and the traditional fast-food grub, Americans were asked to chew on a batch of prime-time political pronouncements - some direct, some suggestive. 

These occurred in the commercials, which, make no mistake, are essential viewing on Super Bowl Sunday. In fact, they are almost as eageraly awaited as the game.

One ad featured the mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, and the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg advocating for stronger federal gun control!

Both men are part of an organization called Mayors Against Illegal Guns, but such a blatant political pitch in the midst of the Super Bowl was a jaw dropper to say the least.

Then came a Chrysler ad narrated by Clint Eastwood. 

Called "It's Halftime in America," the ad was designed to celebrate the rebuilding of Chrysler after its near-death experience a few years ago.

But it sounded an awful lot - "our second half is about to begin" - like an endorsement of Barack Obama. To the point where some people were asking whether Chrysler and the White House had collaborated on the ad.

"No" said White House spokesman Jay Carney. 

But he went on to repeat the administration's often cited claim that its controversial bailout, denounced by Republican critics at the time and since, saved Chrysler and the ailing auto industry. 

And they say it is just football.

By: Susan Bonner
Washington Correspondent, CBC News