Magic

Barack Obama's campaign fires back on the Magic Johnson issue, noting that he was an All-Star starter as a rookie and referencing his historic performance in the 1980 Finals.

Comments

How come the Obama campaign is not bringing Andre Agassi (a resident of Las Vegas and a supporter of his campaign) before NV caucus?

How come the Obama campaign is not focusing on HRC's supposed 35-years of experience of false judgement (e.g., war vote, failed health care, travelgate, Arkansas landgate, failed bar exam after Yale law)?

Sometimes I wonder if Obama is really wanting to defeat HRC? She is going after him with blazing guns and baiting (race, gender, and ethnicity).

Why not just focus on her vapor-ware career of false judgement time and time again?

Posted by eorse | January 19, 2008 11:57 AM

This is a great race. Obama is undermining his opponent's attacks by building up (accurately, of course) one of her key endorsers as a great rookie player. It's so wonderfully perverse.

Posted by southpaw | January 19, 2008 11:59 AM

Magic Johnson, one of the most wildly recognized and respected African Americans in the country, calls Obama a rookie and endorsed Hillary while praising her experience and superior leadership.

Score two points for Hillary.

Then Obama takes the ball, and continuing on his uninterupted streak of megolomania first comparing imself to MLK and then to Ronald Reagan, he now compares himself to Magic Johnson.

Foul Shot.

Hillary Clinton up by three.

Posted by ken | January 19, 2008 12:51 PM

Ken,

Please just fucking stop.

Posted by Waingro | January 19, 2008 1:01 PM

The problem is Obama's campaign (and I say this as a supporter) is that his staff and spokespeople don't have his deft touch and their stuff can fall flat. Obama, himself, would hit this out of the park with a couple of casual, good humored comments and it wouldn't feel forced or argumentative. The campaign release makes a good point but all the detail is over the top and slightly ridiculous.

Posted by Led | January 19, 2008 1:51 PM

I second that Ken comment. Rare is it that a shilling troll goes to such great lengths as 'ol Ken. What a serious wack job.

Posted by Jay | January 19, 2008 1:58 PM

If anyone is the Kermit Washington of the various Democratic campaigns, isn't it Mark Penn?

(Magic arrived in LA to transform the game just 2 years after the Lakers' Washington, emblematic of debased and thuggish "basketball as usual", sucker-punched Rudy Tomjanovich, ending the latter's playing career.)

Posted by kth | January 19, 2008 1:58 PM

I aways read start with the top post and read down and I didn't click the link, so I really thought MY was kidding.
Sometimes you just have to let things go, but basically I agree with Led.

Posted by idabw | January 19, 2008 2:17 PM

The only real question is whether and how we should reappraise Magic's career in light of his support for HRC.

Posted by SomeCallMeTim | January 19, 2008 2:37 PM

I third the comment about ken. worst troll ever.

Posted by omgwut | January 19, 2008 2:55 PM

I third the comment about ken. worst troll ever.

Posted by omgwut | January 19, 2008 2:56 PM

I heard that Isiah Thomas is endorsing Hillary Clinton in NY. Zeke said Clinton combines the best qualities of Zach Randolph, Nate Robinson, and Anucha Browne-Sanders.

Posted by joejoejoe | January 19, 2008 2:58 PM

I may be a troll, but Hillary and Bill will deliver us from evil.

Posted by ken | January 19, 2008 3:13 PM

Magic replied that he had won an NCAA championship by beating Notre Dame and undefeated Iowa State and Larry Bird not a wife beater and Alan Keyes.

Magic also noted that Obama was never the MOP of the Illinois Senate.

Posted by Magic replies | January 19, 2008 6:39 PM