With the political season kicking into high gear, it seemed like the right time for another chat with Sir Charles Barkley. Over the past year, he has been a vocal and active Barack Obama supporter, so we decided to talk to him about that, as well as the Democratic convention, his own future in politics, and his distressingly Luddite tendencies.
Have you been hanging out with Barack at all?
Not lately. He’s busy. I talk to him, though. And obviously I wanted to be in Denver [for the DNC]. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Did you meet any other political or media figures recently in Denver that interested you?
Bobby Kennedy, Jr. Really cool.
Did you see the tribute to Teddy Kennedy?
I did not. I was flying in.
You should check it out online.
I have to get a computer first.
You should get on that.
I have made it these first 45 years without a computer. It is probably too late for me now.
But--
I just got emails! Quit pushing me.
If Obama somehow loses this election, do you think it will be detrimental to the cause of racial equality in some way, that it will bring a bunch of tensions to the surface?
I think it has had a great effect already. He could not have gotten the nomination without a large percentage of white Americans voting for him. And I have to say, about Barack himself, I really hope that no matter what happens, he sets a great example for these young black kids and shows them that they can be intelligent and articulate. Always look at the big picture. We are struggling in the black community with kids not getting an education and the epidemic of black-on-black crime. And I think this does great things for those young black kids.
Do you share the concern of some civil rights leaders that if Obama becomes president, people will say, “Aha, look, race relations are good. Everything is solved”?
I don’t worry about what other people think first of all. And no one thing is going to solve all these racial and economic problems.
Okay, but do you think there is a chance that efforts to solve racial problems could be set back--
No. Having a black president is not going to set anything back.
Did you watch Bill Clinton’s DNC speech?
I did.
There has been a lot of talk about Clinton’s declining popularity in the black community.
Bill Clinton is the greatest president of my lifetime. Period. [long pause]
That’s it?
That’s it.
Do you have any sense of the relationship between the Clintons and the Obamas?
They were competing against each other! It ain’t always going to be peaches-n-cream.
How seriously are you thinking about running for governor of Alabama in a few years?
I have been seriously thinking about it for ten years. I have not made a final decision.
Does the type of media scrutiny that you would face as a candidate, in terms of your past and your personal life, deter you from running?
Not at all, man. I accept the media for what they are. Most of them are really good people. Some of them are scumbags.
Well, because Al Franken is running for the Senate in Minnesota--
That’s an example of bullshit racism. Nobody says anything about Franken, who I like, Lance Armstrong, who I like, Tom Brady, who I like, running for office. But certain black people or celebrities, when they want to run, the attitude is, “You are kidding me, right?”
But Norm Coleman, the senator Franken is running against, has been using things Franken said when he was a comedian against him.
People can always bring up stuff. When I get involved in politics, I am not even going to talk about what the other guys do. The media likes that. I am not going to sit around saying, “The other guy sucks worse than me.” I don’t need to be governor; I want to be governor.
How are players in the NBA feeling about Obama?
All the guys can’t believe a black guy has a shot at winning the presidency. We can’t believe he got the nomination. We are not stupid--we understand that racism exists. The truth of the matter is that this is going to come down to race. A lot of people are not going to vote for a black guy when they go behind the curtain. But look at the issues: Iraq, the foreclosures, jobs being lost. And McCain has similar policies to Bush. Still, the bottom line is that white America is going to go behind closed doors and vote. There is no sense coming up with other BS. That is the elephant in the room.
What do you think is going to happen, then?
I think positive. We need a change. The gap between rich and poor, the jobs, the things going on in this country--I just say, “Wow.”
One more question about politics before--
Go ahead!
You changed your political philosophy before Obama came along--
First of all, I never changed my philosophy. I have never been a Republican. I am an independent--just for the record. This myth started in the mid ‘90s with an interview with my mother and my grandmother, and my grandmother said something about Republicans being for rich people. I had to break it to her that we were rich! And people took that and ran with it. And let me get one other thing straight: Neither one of these parties is anything to write home about--just for the record.
But Charles, you don’t think you’ve become more liberal?
More liberal? I do not use words like liberal or conservative. You can ask me a question and I will give you an answer. Those are words rich people on television use to divide and conquer. I am pro-choice. And if gay people want to get married, that is none of my business. God bless them.
Okay, fine, but would you say that the awful governance of the past seven years has changed the way you look at issues?
It led me to realize that poor people have no chance. If you are born poor, whether white or black, you are going to be in a bad neighborhood and go to a bad school. If you are making three million dollars a year, a couple hundred thousand in taxes ain’t gonna kill you. You have got to look at the bigger picture, because poor people are getting screwed. It would be selfish of me or other rich people to vote Republican to save a little money.
Do you know McCain at all?
Nice guy. I respect anyone who goes to war, but he would be more of the same [as Bush].
Did you watch the Olympics?
Of course I did. It is the greatest sporting event in the world. And basketball in particular because that is our game, that is America’s game.
How did you compare this Olympic basketball team to the Dream Team, which you were on?
I don’t, and you better not, either.
I wouldn’t even think of it. To turn briefly to the NBA, which I thought had its best year last year since Jordan left, there was a study about referees and race which found that refs call fouls more often on black players.
First of all, that is so asinine! The league is 80-percent black. Of course there are more fouls!
But I think this was by minutes played.
There is no way you can come up with that stat. This is some group with a hidden agenda and way too much time on its hands. This is people trying to create racial BS.
Don’t you think that NBA officiating is terrible, though?
Yes, because these referees get intimidated on the road. In the playoffs it is the worst. The home team has a huge advantage.
Thank you, Charles.
Take care, my brother.
Isaac Chotiner is a frequent contributor to The New Republic.
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COMMENTS (25)
He would have my vote. Couldn't be much worse than Bob Riley, and he has a sense of humor to boot.
He would have my vote. Couldn't be much worse than Bob Riley, and he has a sense of humor to boot.
He makes a cogent case for athletes-turned-politicians. Now let's hear Tom Brady or Lance Armstrong give responses just as sharp.....
He makes a cogent case for athletes-turned-politicians. Now let's hear Tom Brady or Lance Armstrong give responses just as sharp.....
What Charles Barkley, and, sadly, the majority of black Americans, don't understand is that liberalism is responsible for the plight of black Americans. It was the welfare policies of the sixties and seventies that led to the destruction of the black family and the consequent explosion in crime and drug abuse. It is the liberals who support the educational bureaucrats and teachers’ unions that are responsible for the failure of public education. It is liberals who with their policy of "affirmative action" teach blacks that the way to get ahead is to prey on white liberal guilt rather than rely on honest effort.
Name one liberal social policy in the last forty years that hasn’t failed. ... view full comment
What Charles Barkley, and, sadly, the majority of black Americans, don't understand is that liberalism is responsible for the plight of black Americans. It was the welfare policies of the sixties and seventies that led to the destruction of the black family and the consequent explosion in crime and drug abuse. It is the liberals who support the educational bureaucrats and teachers’ unions that are responsible for the failure of public education. It is liberals who with their policy of "affirmative action" teach blacks that the way to get ahead is to prey on white liberal guilt rather than rely on honest effort.
Name one liberal social policy in the last forty years that hasn’t failed. You can’t. But liberals don’t seem to care. Intentions are all that matter. Asking about results is a no-no.
I love Barkley. His answers are clear and concise. Even if you don't agree with him, at least you have to admire his clarity and perspective.
Barkley is right, too, about the election being about race. The question is not about experience or background or party lines, but whether or not white Americans - when the curtain is drawn and they cast their secret ballot - will vote for an African-American for president. Everything else is background noise.
I love Barkley. His answers are clear and concise. Even if you don't agree with him, at least you have to admire his clarity and perspective.
Barkley is right, too, about the election being about race. The question is not about experience or background or party lines, but whether or not white Americans - when the curtain is drawn and they cast their secret ballot - will vote for an African-American for president. Everything else is background noise.
I love Sir Charles and all the more now since he has clarified his party affiliation. Common sense can certainly go a long way. You go Charles! And thanks for telling it (racism, officiating) the way it is.
I love Sir Charles and all the more now since he has clarified his party affiliation. Common sense can certainly go a long way. You go Charles! And thanks for telling it (racism, officiating) the way it is.
The Round Mound of Rebound? C'mon man, his views on politics are as valid as Obama's views on weightlifting. Besides, he's only supporting Obama cause they're both black. That's a pretty sorry reason to support any candidate - the color of their skin.
The Round Mound of Rebound? C'mon man, his views on politics are as valid as Obama's views on weightlifting. Besides, he's only supporting Obama cause they're both black. That's a pretty sorry reason to support any candidate - the color of their skin.
At "bulbman1066":
Isn't it convenient to blame everything on one group - makes it easy to absolve yourself, doesn't it? Never mind that a comment like "educational bureaucrats and teachers' unions ...are responsible for the failure of public education."
As an educator (and not a union member), that's the stupidest thiing I ever heard. If you wanted to know how to fix a car, would you ask the mechanic? If you needed a second opinion, you'd go to a doctor, right? We (educators) are trained professionals, many with graduate coursework in what we do. If you want to know what public education needs in order to improve, ask us. We can tell you what needs to happen.
But don't assume we are the proble ... view full comment
At "bulbman1066":
Isn't it convenient to blame everything on one group - makes it easy to absolve yourself, doesn't it? Never mind that a comment like "educational bureaucrats and teachers' unions ...are responsible for the failure of public education."
As an educator (and not a union member), that's the stupidest thiing I ever heard. If you wanted to know how to fix a car, would you ask the mechanic? If you needed a second opinion, you'd go to a doctor, right? We (educators) are trained professionals, many with graduate coursework in what we do. If you want to know what public education needs in order to improve, ask us. We can tell you what needs to happen.
But don't assume we are the problem, when "conservatives" undermine the fundamental meritocratic value of access to education. You are 'conserving' a few bucks by strangling the educational system of funds, and then standing back and saying, "yep, told you so, public education doesn't work."
There are a lot of challenges faced by education: class sizes, access to texts, facilities, professional turnover, etc. And every one of them has at its root the issue of funding.
My buddies are good corporate types, CFO's and chief accountants. I've seen the way their businesses operate. NO corporation would force itself to run the way education is forced to run.
For God's sake, invest in your children and the nation's future. It's the only real way to pay off the debt your "conservative" agenda has created.
I believe the man stated clearly in the interview that he has philosophical differences with John McCain: he is for taxing the rich for redistributive purposes, he is pro-choice, he is not against gay marriage. Doesn't sound like a guy who is voting solely on the basis of race to me...
I believe the man stated clearly in the interview that he has philosophical differences with John McCain: he is for taxing the rich for redistributive purposes, he is pro-choice, he is not against gay marriage. Doesn't sound like a guy who is voting solely on the basis of race to me...
To Tyler: Don't bother responding to Bulbman1066 or jwl2672- their minds have been closed tight for years, and their posts betray an inability or refusal to think critically. We can only assume that Bulbman is in favor of increasing poverty and income inequality, exploding deficits, declining environmental protection, the erosion of constitutional rights, etc., all provided courtesy of the current republican administration. However, Bulbman neglected to mention that liberalism was also the cause of the fall of the Roman Empire, the War of the Roses and the Spanish Inquisition. Last thought: isn't Sen. Obama a man who has relied on "honest effort?"
To Tyler: Don't bother responding to Bulbman1066 or jwl2672- their minds have been closed tight for years, and their posts betray an inability or refusal to think critically. We can only assume that Bulbman is in favor of increasing poverty and income inequality, exploding deficits, declining environmental protection, the erosion of constitutional rights, etc., all provided courtesy of the current republican administration. However, Bulbman neglected to mention that liberalism was also the cause of the fall of the Roman Empire, the War of the Roses and the Spanish Inquisition. Last thought: isn't Sen. Obama a man who has relied on "honest effort?"
Re: If you wanted to know how to fix a car, would you ask the mechanic? If you needed a second opinion, you'd go to a doctor, right?
I wouldn't ask a mechanic that had a bad track record, or a doctor that had sealed malpratice judgements settled out of court (if I knew about them). Why would I ask the very same teachers that had failed to satisfy my needs so far?
Re: If you wanted to know how to fix a car, would you ask the mechanic? If you needed a second opinion, you'd go to a doctor, right?
I wouldn't ask a mechanic that had a bad track record, or a doctor that had sealed malpratice judgements settled out of court (if I knew about them). Why would I ask the very same teachers that had failed to satisfy my needs so far?
I'm joining the Common Sense party! Love Sir Charles. He's always brutally honest about everything. I love his color commentary on TNT and he always speaks the truth whether he's criticizing a player, the refs or even his own bosses, the NBA. He'd be a great leader in Alabama. If I lived there, he'd have my vote! :)
I'm joining the Common Sense party! Love Sir Charles. He's always brutally honest about everything. I love his color commentary on TNT and he always speaks the truth whether he's criticizing a player, the refs or even his own bosses, the NBA. He'd be a great leader in Alabama. If I lived there, he'd have my vote! :)
Oh, gee, thanks Burlman. That makes sense. Idiot.
Oh, gee, thanks Burlman. That makes sense. Idiot.
Oh puhleaze!!! You bought into the Repugs stigma that it's only blacks on welfare. There are just as many whites (if not more) on welfare as there are blacks. I bet those whites on welfare all vote for Repugs, too.
Oh puhleaze!!! You bought into the Repugs stigma that it's only blacks on welfare. There are just as many whites (if not more) on welfare as there are blacks. I bet those whites on welfare all vote for Repugs, too.
The far left wing, as well as the far right wing has hurt the poor of all races, and the democratic party getting in bed with the corporate elite, and adopting the same corrupt practices as the republicans did is just as bad.
Rationalizing the subjugation of citizen workers, outsourcing jobs, and displacing citizen workers in what jobs remain, by the importation of and turning a blind eye to cheap illegal labor, is not in the best interest of citizens or our economy.
The democratic party has regressed so it is once again the party of slavery.
I was offended by the interviewer's condescending behavior towards Barkley, was glad to see that Barkley wasn't putting up with it. For all the claims of ... view full comment
The far left wing, as well as the far right wing has hurt the poor of all races, and the democratic party getting in bed with the corporate elite, and adopting the same corrupt practices as the republicans did is just as bad.
Rationalizing the subjugation of citizen workers, outsourcing jobs, and displacing citizen workers in what jobs remain, by the importation of and turning a blind eye to cheap illegal labor, is not in the best interest of citizens or our economy.
The democratic party has regressed so it is once again the party of slavery.
I was offended by the interviewer's condescending behavior towards Barkley, was glad to see that Barkley wasn't putting up with it. For all the claims of the so called "activists", it's plain to see that there is a deep vein of racism, and entitlement in their mindsets. Barkley and others like him who are truly committed to helping the poor, aren't divorced from the realities.
Nor does not being online count against him. The so called netroots, for all their afflunce, are some of the most ignorant and indifferent people on the planet. They have a tool in front of them that could educate them, help them to research candidates, yet all they do is sit on their backsides and regurgitate what they are spoonfed, unquestioningly. They are idiotic drone, not worth the oxygen they consume.
I'd rather have thinking, feeling human beings, connected to their communities, then the spoiled, over pampered bots online who believe they are the only ones who matter.
The far left wing, as well as the far right wing has hurt the poor of all races, and the democratic party getting in bed with the corporate elite, and adopting the same corrupt practices as the republicans did is just as bad.
Rationalizing the subjugation of citizen workers, outsourcing jobs, and displacing citizen workers in what jobs remain, by the importation of and turning a blind eye to cheap illegal labor, is not in the best interest of citizens or our economy.
The democratic party has regressed so it is once again the party of slavery.
I was offended by the interviewer's condescending behavior towards Barkley, was glad to see that Barkley wasn't putting up with it. For all the claims of ... view full comment
The far left wing, as well as the far right wing has hurt the poor of all races, and the democratic party getting in bed with the corporate elite, and adopting the same corrupt practices as the republicans did is just as bad.
Rationalizing the subjugation of citizen workers, outsourcing jobs, and displacing citizen workers in what jobs remain, by the importation of and turning a blind eye to cheap illegal labor, is not in the best interest of citizens or our economy.
The democratic party has regressed so it is once again the party of slavery.
I was offended by the interviewer's condescending behavior towards Barkley, was glad to see that Barkley wasn't putting up with it. For all the claims of the so called "activists", it's plain to see that there is a deep vein of racism, and entitlement in their mindsets. Barkley and others like him who are truly committed to helping the poor, aren't divorced from the realities.
Nor does not being online count against him. The so called netroots, for all their afflunce, are some of the most ignorant and indifferent people on the planet. They have a tool in front of them that could educate them, help them to research candidates, yet all they do is sit on their backsides and regurgitate what they are spoonfed, unquestioningly. They are idiotic drone, not worth the oxygen they consume.
I'd rather have thinking, feeling human beings, connected to their communities, then the spoiled, over pampered bots online who believe they are the only ones who matter.
To bulbman1066,
Blacks have made no progress in the last 40 years? What planet do you live on?
To bulbman1066,
Blacks have made no progress in the last 40 years? What planet do you live on?
After eight years of Bush, I can make an educated guess what the world would have been like without liberal policies over the past 40 years and I think it would be a wasteland... and quit putting words in Barkley's mouth, arguing for better schools for poor kids is not racist, it's just common sense.
After eight years of Bush, I can make an educated guess what the world would have been like without liberal policies over the past 40 years and I think it would be a wasteland... and quit putting words in Barkley's mouth, arguing for better schools for poor kids is not racist, it's just common sense.
Bulbman, I think you need to step into this century.
Bulbman, I think you need to step into this century.
“destruction of the black family” --The “destruction of the black family,” began in the era between the two world wars and continued through to the early 1960s. The “destruction of the” so-called white family began during and following WWII. The "destruction of the” so-called Hispanic family didn’t begin until about 1967. --The official ‘body count’ to-date was provided in 1963: The black family had taken a far more severe beating than the white family. What would now be called the Hispanic family, was unscathed. --“Destruction of the black family” ESCALATED, sharply, 1967 onward. “Destruction of the” so-called white family ESCALATED, sharply, 1967 onward. “Dest ... view full comment
“destruction of the black family” --The “destruction of the black family,” began in the era between the two world wars and continued through to the early 1960s. The “destruction of the” so-called white family began during and following WWII. The "destruction of the” so-called Hispanic family didn’t begin until about 1967. --The official ‘body count’ to-date was provided in 1963: The black family had taken a far more severe beating than the white family. What would now be called the Hispanic family, was unscathed. --“Destruction of the black family” ESCALATED, sharply, 1967 onward. “Destruction of the” so-called white family ESCALATED, sharply, 1967 onward. “Destruction of the” so-called Hispanic family began, and ESCALATED, sharply, 1969 onward. --The so-called "composite family" is primarily a creature of the Reform of 1967-98.
“consequent explosion in crime and drug abuse.” --These occurred for ALL Americans, 1967 onward. The major ESCALATION among whites occurred, 1969 onward. The first increase among so-called whites and Hispanics was among college-age Americans, late-teen and early 20s, followed by the 1969 onward ESCALATION in which the age of those first using drugs moved steady downward into the High School and Junior High School age groups.
“consequent explosion in crime and drug abuse.” --These occurred for ALL Americans, 1967 onward. The major ESCALATION among whites occurred, 1969 onward. The first increase among so-called whites and Hispanics was among college-age Americans, late-teen and early 20s, followed by the 1969 onward ESCALATION in which the age of those first using drugs moved steady downward into the High School and Junior High School age groups.
The “destruction of the” American “family and the consequent explosion in crime and drug abuse” occurred 1969 onward, as a result of the Great Society liberalism of the New-Left democratic-party of Johnson, Carter & Clinton (1st term) and the new
post-Goldwater conservatism of the republican-party of Nixon, Ford, Reagan and G.H.W. Bush.
The “destruction of the” American “family and the consequent explosion in crime and drug abuse” occurred 1969 onward, as a result of the Great Society liberalism of the New-Left democratic-party of Johnson, Carter & Clinton (1st term) and the new
post-Goldwater conservatism of the republican-party of Nixon, Ford, Reagan and G.H.W. Bush.
Wow, jwl, all you see is race. Did you even read Charles Barkley's answers?
Wow, jwl, all you see is race. Did you even read Charles Barkley's answers?
"It was the welfare policies of the sixties and seventies that led to the destruction of the black family."
You are so right. Black families had it so much better during the Jim Crow era. Although I must say that your scenario, while wholly false, is not a depressing as p's, in which every family, apparently, is destroyed.
"It was the welfare policies of the sixties and seventies that led to the destruction of the black family."
You are so right. Black families had it so much better during the Jim Crow era. Although I must say that your scenario, while wholly false, is not a depressing as p's, in which every family, apparently, is destroyed.
I just have to give Sir Charles credit for trying to do something "good" to make the world better.
I just have to give Sir Charles credit for trying to do something "good" to make the world better.
I'd like to ask Barkley why he thinks the NBA is so racist. There are very few white players in the NBA and that is pathetic.
I'd like to ask Barkley why he thinks the NBA is so racist. There are very few white players in the NBA and that is pathetic.