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CHARLES BARKLEY RECONSIDERS RUN FOR GOV.: Former NBA star turns Democrat and ponders possible 2010 campaign.
*Gnarls Barkley has a hit single called “Crazy.” However, some political pundits are using the title to describe the political aspirations recently announced by Charles Barkley. According to the Associated Press, the former athlete wants to run for the Governor of Alabama in 2010.
"Alabama, that's my home. I'm thinking about running for governor; they need the help," Barkley said, according to The Associated Press.
The NBA veteran has also announced that he is switching political parties – from Republican to Democrat: "I was a Republican until they lost their minds," he explained earlier this month. News of his lofty political aspirations and embrace of all things blue were met with approval by Alabama's Democratic Party chairman Joe Turnham.
"I say welcome Charles Barkley. Charles Barkley has been a Horatio Alger story for many people, not only in sports but in business and broadcasting," Turnham said Wednesday, adding that he plans to invite Barkley to some political events for the party in the coming months.
Sir Charles’ plan also has its share of critics. Jim Seroka, a political science professor at Auburn University, said the former Auburn basketball star needs to slow his roll and make sure all of his ducks are in a row before considering a run.
"He doesn't have any of the bases necessary to run a statewide campaign," Seroka said Wednesday.
Barkley, a Leeds, Alabama native, has toyed with a possible run for governor since his days of snatching rebounds for the Phoenix Suns. His last serious announcement came in 1995, when a plan to run for the 1998 seat as a Republican never materialized.
Between now and 2010, Barkley says he’ll be focused on another goal – getting his 17-year-old daughter through high school and into college. After she’s tucked away into a school, he will make the decision whether to run for governor.
"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."
