MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – John Kerry supporters got a welcome omen for their candidate on Sunday: The Green Bay Packers defeated the Washington Redskins.

If history holds, the 28-14 score portends a victory for Kerry on Tuesday because the result of the Redskins’ final home game before the presidential election has always accurately predicted the White House winner.

If the Redskins win, the incumbent party wins. If they lose, the incumbent party is ousted.

“Oh, yeah, he’s going to win. It’s guaranteed,” said Packers safety Darren Sharper, a Kerry supporter. “I don’t have to vote now. Don’t even have to go to the polls. Saved me a trip on Tuesday.”

The Democratic candidate, who describes himself as superstitious and carries a lucky buckeye, cheered the omen.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the Packers win today,” Kerry said. “The Packers have done their part. This Tuesday, we’ll do ours.”

President Bush’s campaign pointed to an equally nonscientific prediction of their victory.

“Weekly Reader!” said Bush strategist Karl Rove, referring to a mock election held by the Weekly Reader, a Stamford, Conn.-based national schoolroom newspaper, in which Bush handily beat Kerry.

The streak began in 1933, when the Boston Braves were renamed the Redskins. Since then, beginning with Franklin Roosevelt’s re-election in 1936, the trend has held, including a 2000 Redskins loss to the Tennessee Titans that predicted George W. Bush’s win over Al Gore.

—

On the Net:

Kerry campaign: http://www.johnkerry.com

Bush campaign: http://www.georgewbush.com