Charles Barkley declares candidacy for governor

[quaoar]

in 2012.

He was on CNN this morning hawking his new book on race relations and they asked him about running for governor of Alabama.

He said he was running, but in 2012.

The reason he has to wait that long is because the state constitution requires a governor to be a resident for seven years.

Maybe he'll get his feet wet by taking down Jeff Sessions in 08. We can always hope.

[BulletproofLandshark]

1. I think he's a repub

At least from what I remember from interviews from years ago.

[theboss]

2. He's a Republican

And he was born and raised in Alabama; he may still hav a "residence" there.

[bluestateguy]

3. I hope he didn't say 2012

Because Alabama elects a governor in 2010, not 2012.

Is he Democrat or Republican?

[quaoar]

6. I'm pretty sure that's the year he said

Though I might not have heard him right.

And he is NOT a Republican. I've met him and asked him that. And I've heard him refute it in interviews.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. There's still a reason he said that.

2005 + 7 year residency requirement = 2012. Even if there's no race that year, I'm assuming that's what he meant.

[Bronco69]

4. I think what he said was

that he is eligible in 2012, but he won't be running until 2014.

[TwoHandedLayup]

5. He was a Repub

But he leans more left now. He was very critical of the Bush and the current douchebags. He is pretty no nonsense, although he is a bit like Jesse Ventura and speaks his mind too often.

[Botany]

8. Please do not take everything "Sir Charles," says for fact.

On quotes he is often a few fries short of a happy meal.

[mark414]

9. hell yeah, i'll move to alabama to help

dude's a straight talker who doesn't put up with bullshit

and yes, as mentioned above, he's not a republican

[theboss]

10. Maybe not anymore, but there's this quote:

My mom said, "Charles, Republicans are for rich people." And I said, "Mom, I'm rich."

[quaoar]

11. This is from Bill Maher's show

http://www.safesearching.com/billmaher/print/t_hbo_realtime_092603.htm

MAHER: Now, we have – what I – what interests me about you three is what you have in common, and I guess I would be in there, too – is we’ve all gotten a lot of grief about something we’ve drawn or said or produced. People have gotten mad at us. People hate us. I know people who hate you. I know people who hate you. I know – they hate all of us. Some people hate all of us. And what is interesting, though, is that I’ve heard you’re a Republican—

BARKLEY: No.

MAHER: Come on, you said you were going to run for governor of Alabama as a Republican.

BARKLEY: No, I never said that. I was having a disagreement with my grandmother one day. She says, “You gotta vote Democratic.” I says – and she was explaining to me; she says, “Republicans only look out for rich people.” I says, “I’m rich!” So everybody thinks I’m a Republican because of that. I’m an independent.

[theboss]

12. Well, that's good news, I guess

Not that I want Charles anywhere near the governor's mansion.

[BamaLefty]

13. Baxley Not Barkley

Why do we want to RUIN what we have in Lucy Baxley? She's already got the Governorship wrapped up for '06!

Let's not screw it up.

[quaoar]

14. I'd rather see Barkley run against Sessions

in 2008.

We have to put up someone against Sessions, some heavyweight. The only other one I can think of is Siegelman.

[southlandshari]

15. I agree

We desperately need better representation in Washington, someone who will call things like they see them and represent the diversity of Alabamians. If he is liberal on social issues and conservative on fiscal policy (no more tax cuts for the wealthy, though), that's fine by me!

[minkyboodle]

16. barkley is no republican

He is a bit of an iconoclast who can go crazy on a few issues but honestly, I have good faith in his judgement/values. He tends to look out for ordinary poor people quite well for a man in his income bracket. I'm sure if he does run he will do something that infuriates me but he is better than most IMO as a candidate.

[taleast]

17. I'm Sorry

I am sorry, but I think Barkley is an idiot and would be disastrous for the party. I hope he runs as a republican.

[BamaLefty]

18. Me Too

I think he would contribute to the stereotype.

I like him though. He gave a ton of money to John Edwards back in the primary.