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Magic Johnson, in Ad, Suggests Obama Is a 'Rookie'
January 18, 2008 7:49 PM
ABC News' David Wright reports: The Clinton campaign is crowing about its new radio ad in South Carolina featuring hoops star Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
According to an AP report being circulated by the campaign, Johnson reminsisces about his rookie year as a point guard for the L.A. Lakers, offering some locker room advice to Barack Obama.
"We won our first game on a last-second shot," he reportedly says in the ad. "I was so hyped. But the captain of my team said, 'Take it easy rookie, it's a long season, it's a long road to the championship.'
"He was right," Johnson concludes. Keep that in mind, Mr. Iowa Caucuses.
But a quick Google search of the Lakers 79-80 season suggests the analogy may not be so good for the Clinton campaign.
The Lakers faced the '76ers that year for the NBA championships. Even though the Lakers star player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went down with a sprained ankle during the championships, the Lakers prevailed in the best-of-seven series thanks in large part to Johnson's razz-mataz.
Johnson went toe to toe with "Dr. J," Julius Erving, scoring 42 points, with 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, leading the Lakers to a 123-107 victory in the final game, despite Philadelphia's home-court advantage.
Sportswriters still regard Johnson's clutch performance as one of the finest individual games in NBA history.
So, yes, it's early.
But, then as now, perhaps there's still time for a rookie to show his stuff.
January 18, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (45)
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Maybe "mumble-mouth" Magic should rethink this. Or maybe Obama can get a Dr. J for the rebuttal ad.
Posted by: ROB | Jan 18, 2008 8:24:18 PM
This is just to much. Someone to stupid to wear a condom is standing against Obama, and for what? In defense of the Clinton's? I hate these House -igs. Shame on him and shame on the Clinton's.
Posted by: dontvoteforclinton | Jan 18, 2008 8:38:49 PM
Oops Magic Johnson committed a crime! He offended Obama...now Obama cult followers will trash him all over the world!
How dare you Magic questioning the "ONE," HE can't do wrong, he is perfect to the eyes of his followers! LOL
Posted by: Paul | Jan 18, 2008 9:50:33 PM
This is silly. Magic Johnson is great and we can't undermine what he did to Lakers. The fact that he didn't even verify the analogy before talking seem like he is a reluctant supporter of Clinton. He probably feel obligated to support Clinton mainly because of Bill's support on AIDS cause the Magic has dedicated lots of time for.
We shouldn't attack Magic. I feel bad for him for the situation he is in. This whole thing makes look like Clintons are getting desperate.
Hopefully Clintons will get back to talking about real issues instead of pushing their supporters to give stupid analogies or trashing Obama or great people who passed away.
Posted by: Ram | Jan 18, 2008 10:32:50 PM
Magic is a successful man. He is doing fine. I am sure he knows what he has chosen to do and is quite comfortable with his decision to support the Clintons. At least he isn't sitting around typing misspelled comments.
Posted by: irma | Jan 18, 2008 11:09:06 PM
Who cares what a has been has to say?
Ha!
Doesn't she have anyone else? Someone more up to date such as: L. James? K. Bryant? S. O'neil? D. Wade? J. Stackhouse?
Well I guess anybody would do.
Oh and dontvoteforclinton, I understand just what you mean, I hate them too.......Shameful if you ask me.
Posted by: Kevin | Jan 19, 2008 12:01:06 AM
Obama may be a "rookie, Magic, but at least he's not a Stooge for the Clinton
Slime Machine!
Posted by: reaganfan | Jan 19, 2008 12:06:58 AM
Dear Reaganfan,
I agree. What is with everyone sucking up to the Clinton's?
At the end of the day, it all depends on where the ad is being played. If the ad airs in some small town, it might have an impact. If the ad is played in huge metro. area, it won't have much of an effect.
Posted by: Dean R. M. | Jan 19, 2008 1:35:04 AM
Am I the only one that feels ABC is slanted in favor of Hillary?
Posted by: Cassey | Jan 19, 2008 1:36:40 AM
Cassey---I agree with you. I have noticed that some news media is favoring Hillary. You don't see some of the news media scrambling to get people on their show to bad-mouth the CLintons. Egad, the CLintons would have their heads. Mafia-like? For some reason it appears the news media is almost afraid of the Clintons. Figure that out. It sure makes me wonder. I guess we never truly realized how "mean" the Clintons are. I am using the word "mean" to try to be nicer about the situation. Believe me, I have more descriptive words to describe the Clintons. As far as Magic Johnson goes, the Clintons must be getting frantic. I hope they are. But Willy should be careful, he certainly looks like a stroke candidate. During the debates, did you notice Hillary's face whenever Obama or Edwards challenged her? Egad, she can look evil. Then the weepy time--what a farce. Can you imagine the CLinton household if she doesn't get the nomination? Too bad she isn't like Margaret Thatcher or Eleanor Roosevelt. I would consider voting for her if she were.
Posted by: CS3539 | Jan 19, 2008 8:23:49 AM
The last person that should be commenting on the voting decision-making process is Magic Johnson. He has a lot of nerve given his reputation as an irresponsible womanizer!
Do all of us a favor Magic... go back into retirement from public view. You are a lousy example of how one should live his life!
Posted by: rodnacious | Jan 19, 2008 10:51:22 AM
Typical of the Clinton campaign that they don't do their research to realize that Magic single handedly won the Championship in his rookie season! It's sad that in their haste to grab at straws they think the musings of this former NBA star would add some weight to their arguments against Obama's level of experience ...in the process giving a perfect analogy for the Obama camp to use to their benefit on the trail. Amazing! lol ...Hillary is a chump and this story highlights her inexperience and lack of foresight ...not Obama's.
Posted by: AJ | Jan 19, 2008 11:31:53 AM
Please don't criticize Hillary on a caucus or primary election day. Wanna know why? Cause for each criticism, 100 or more females come out to defend womanhood by voting for her--as if she speaks for all of women. Frankly, I can't stand her phony shows of emotion and concern for others. She 'found her voice' in NH. Seems to me she's been speaking loud and clear for a long time. She wants to WIN and have POWER and will do anything--anything--to get it. I'm a woman and a Democrat who will vote Republican if Hill is the party's nominee.
Posted by: ohno | Jan 19, 2008 11:41:23 AM
i truly do not believe that ANY news media
is hillary focused, i think they go way overboard to focus on Mr. Obama, because, when all is said and done-they want to continue having a man in the oval office.
it really would not look good for them if
they offered up the prize to Mr. Edwards,
because he is the status quo of all past
presidents-we need a new direction of focus in this country, whether we choose a
woman, a black male, or the status quo male, after having bush-we need to focus back on this country, and start solving some major problems we have here at home.
Posted by: stephanie | Jan 19, 2008 11:50:53 AM
IT IS NOT SUPRISING, GIVEN THE MEDIA'S WORSHIP OF THE CLINTONS, THAT ONCE AGAIN THEY GIVE THEM MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF FREE ADVERTISING THE DAY OF THE NEVADA CAUCAS, JUST AS THEY DID ON ELECTION DAY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. ON THAT DAY ALL OF THE NETWORK MORNING NEWS SHOWS SHOWED THE "WEEPING HILLARY", FOLLOWED BY BILL CLINTONS EMOTIONAL DIATRIBE CRITIZING BARACK OBAMA. NOW THEY ARE SHOWING THE WOMAN SCORNED BY HER HUSBAND'S INFIDELITY. SO NOW IT'S THE "BETRAYED HILLARY". THIS IS SICKENING. WHILE THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO RIP BARACK. BARACK PROBABLY WONT WIN NEVADA, BECAUSE THE MEDIA, AND GULLIBLENESS OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY. IF CLINTON WINS THE DEMOCRATICX NOMINATION, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. IT WOULD BE LIKE VOTING FOR "BUSH LITE".
Posted by: CHRIS THOMAS | Jan 19, 2008 11:55:53 AM
But does anyone see how either the media or the population is suddenly, in huge numbers, starting to side by color? That is a nightmare. One side feels scorned, the other side feels threatened. If it falls along those lines, we will have a vicious nominating process with a wounded candidate trying to defeat the Corporation's choice for President, which I think is republican. Obama has no deeds to back his words. And the republicans will ram this down the country's throat and people will fall for it. He hasn't done ANYthing but speak nicely. He has ZERO achievements outside of personal ones in high office. How in the hell is he going to defeat money, experience, foreign relations work, people who have bills written into law? A speechmaker will never win this, nice as he is. And he doesn't have the fight. You can see it in debates. He can't come back quickly, he stammers when he doesn't have a script. He fumbles with syllables searching for a retort when he doesn't have prepared notes. He is academic, smarter than hell, but he is not yet the kind of candidate that they won't splice and dice and defeat with ease. :(
Posted by: Edge-Of-The-Abyss | Jan 19, 2008 12:04:32 PM
I love MAGIC - I met him in person, he cares a great deal about the health of this great country and the world. He is a smart man and has no discrimination, nor I against him. Obama being a rookie? The fact that Obama can't respond to the subject of MLK and the president JOHNSON at the time civil rights made the best shift in history for all humans, including white woman, and seeing and hearing with my own eyes and ears that Obama could not respond naturally in an educated way but rather him needing Hillary lead the true meaning of what MLK meant by her actions and words proved to me that fortunate or unfortunate any progress Obama makes still will not be enough to be president this time in his political career. Possibly after Hillary, she was running first when Obama wasn't even sure and it shows - MAGIC is pointing out a fact - not an opinion - only Obama can change that but I don't see it happing anytime soon. Stay positive - I want to see an African American become president too - but not for that reason alone... I also want to see a TRIBAL AMERICAN become president - but the person, the human being that is best for the job is how we should vote if we truly have the strength to vote without discrimination. Hillary just happens to be the whole package - the best of all human candidates to be the NEXT president of the US - GO MAGIC... you are a good man and it will be understood that you have America's back when you have Hillary's back - I got yours - keep sharing your magic smile - VOTER WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION OF ANY KIND!:)
Posted by: EDUCATED VOTER | Jan 19, 2008 12:14:07 PM
Wow! I mean really wow! I can't believe the Clinton campaign is running this ad. Do they really think people aren't intelligent enough to look into a record book to see the eventual result of Magic's rookie season? That just gives fodder to the Obama campaign to counter this add. And the Clinton's are supposed to be the best political minds in the Democratic Party!
Posted by: saintleymark | Jan 19, 2008 12:22:08 PM
n a national survey by CNN/Opinion Research Corp., 59 percent of black Democrats backed Obama, an Illinois Democrat, for their party's presidential nomination, with 31 percent supporting Clinton, the senator from New York.
The 28 point lead for Obama is a major reversal from October, when Clinton held a 24 point lead among black Democrats.
That is copied from CNN.com. Now tell me that folks aren't going to degenerate into a black vs white vote? They are already doing it.
And the Repubicans are just waiting to get all their white, southern, haters to rise the Confederate flags over their trailers IN THE MILLIONS and Obama is toast :(
this is a disaster. They do the same thing all the time: divide and conquer. And they are going to win. Money and Big Business is never going to let Barrack win. :(
Posted by: Edge-Of-The-Abyss | Jan 19, 2008 12:28:51 PM
Bill Clinton has continued to diminish the prestige of the Presidency by the vicious way he has been attacking the pree and Hillary's democratic opponents. Why all this name calling of "rookie"? You have nothing to attack Obama on? Why do the Clinton's want so badly to get into the White House even at the risk of polarising the Democratic party and losing to the Republican party? Is it a disvalue for a candidate to want to unite all Americans? America, be wise and distrust the Clintons even when then offer their Trojan Horse gift of "experience"
Posted by: Jideofo22 | Jan 19, 2008 12:34:08 PM
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