Barkley renews talk of running for Ala. governor

[Rose Siding]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has changed his political uniform from red to blue and is talking again about running for governor of Alabama, possibly in 2010.

"Alabama, that's my home. I'm thinking about running for governor; they need the help," Barkley said.
...
"What I've said is I'm rich like a Republican. But I'm not one," Barkley said in remarks reported by The Birmingham News......

"I really believe I was put on Earth to do more than play basketball and stockpile money," Barkley said. "I really want to help people improve their lives, and what's left is for me to decide how best to do that."
...
"If it wasn't for Arkansas and Mississippi, we'd be dead last in everything. I think we can do better," he said.

Barkley told the school board members that poor children don't have a level playing field with wealthier students, because the poor children have to cope with more problems like crime, drugs and teen pregnancy. But he also admonished some black parents and their children.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14051432/

[niyad]

1. a sports figure with a sense of conscience and community, willing to

give in token of his overpaid good fortune? how novel!!

wasn't he declared honorary mayor of phoenix or some such thing several years ago?

[snowbear]

2. Go Barkley!

He always did a great job the handful of times he sat in for Begala/Carville on Crossfire..

[NNadir]

3. I'm not a basketball fan, but I like the sound of this guy.

I don't know much about Barkley, but this brief bit puts him in a very positive light.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. More conservative than some here would like

But probably a liberal as measured in Alabama. A man who is continuing to evolve. I always found him sensible and generally no-bullshit honest.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

5. i live in alabama and I wish he'd stop talking about it and RUN!

we need a governor that isn't a lying neocon for a change.