Where are the ATHLETES FOR KERRY?

[sandersadu]

Have you noticed that Chimpy has been introduced at rallies & endorsed by John Elway, Bart Starr and Lynn Swann - all Hall of Fame NFL football players.

I remember years ago when someone asked Michael Jordan why he didn't support Harvey Gantt in the Senate election vs. Jesse Helms. His was response was - "Republicans also buy tennis shoes."

We need to have prominent athletes and coaches supporting our ticket. I know it sounds silly to some, but imagine what a Dean Smith in North Carolina (who was supporting Edwards) Shaquille O'Neal in Louisiana (where he was born) and lots of others could do for the campaign.

It could win votes and provide some sorely missing "fun" to the campaign. We've got to start thinking out of the box and using all the resources available at our disposal.

That being said I also think Edwards should go to the Ohio State/Michigan game, Florida/Florida State game or UNC/N.C. State game this fall.

Thoughts?

[Owlet]

1. There was an Article in The Nation a while back...

...by Kelly Candaele & Peter Dreier that addressed the issue, or came close, anyway. I think the reasons cited are equally applicable to the political campaign.

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20040628&s=candaele&c=1

[kwolf68]

2. Yea

Franco introduced Kerry in PA earlier this year.

But sadly, athletes are selfish, rich, prima donnas. In short, they are a Right-Wing focus group.

There are so few who seem to give a shit about something other than their own ego, which is why its "news" when one is like Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks, easily one of the finest men in sports (don't know his politics).

It is also obvious the corporate control element. Just as Whoopi got dumped from a corporate sponsor so too will athletes. Money is their god.

That being said, Dean Smith is a staunch Democrat as was former NC State coach Jim Valvano...so while we don't have a lot on our side it seems we have the best.

I would be opposed to Edwards going to the UNC/NC State football game, because well...he graduated from BOTH universities. And if he does decide to put his allegiance toward UNC (as he did at the ACC Basketball Tourny) he will be on the losing end, because State will crush them.

[henslee]

A bunch of college B-ball coaches stepped up, I will look 4 links & edit.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sandersadu]

4. Athletes/Coaches

Michael Jordan endorsing Kerry/Edwards in N.C. would be huge.

[LTR]

5. Quite a few NBA players showed up for Bill Bradley in the past

But he was one of them.

I've heard the NBA consists mostly of Democrats. Michael Jordan has donated to Obama in Illinois.

[President Jesus]

6. Here's a list of sports stars and the candidates they've donated to

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/hof.php?#SPORTS-BASEBALL
(click names in right-hand column)

[Neecy]

9. wow

Julia Child gave a TON of money to Democrats!

Okay, she's even more officially my hero. Thanks for the link.

[henslee]

11. The Round Mound of Rebound (Barkley) donated 2 grand to Edwards?

Nice, Charles.

[bobbyboucher]

7. The elction will be over before those games are played.

Candidates at big sporting events cause security hassles which cause backlash.

Keep hammerin' it home.

[Uzybone]

8. Athletes mostly disgust me

they are mostly not conservative (most blacks, no matter how rich are not cons)...but they are too cowardly to take a stand. Especially if they are famous. They also know democrats don't believe in hounding people for their political beliefs, while repukes do.

[DemVIctory]

10. Charles Barkley used to be known as

conservative, but the last time I heard him speak he was dissing Bush.