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by John McCormick
ELKO, Nev. -- A day before the Nevada caucuses, Sen. Hillary Clinton is turning her attention in part to South Carolina with a new radio ad that features basketball legend "Magic" Johnson, who suggests Sen. Barack Obama is too much of a rookie for the presidency.
The AP story on the ad is below the jump. But Robert Gibbs, Obama's communications director, noted that one of Johnson's best games was in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA finals, when Johnson was a rookie.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Consider it a bit of advice from one hoops player to another.
In a radio ad for Hillary Rodham Clinton, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the celebrated Los Angeles Lakers point guard, recalls his first year as professional basketball player.
"We won our first game on a last second shot," he says in the ad, now airing in South Carolina. "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 wants South Carolina voters to send the same message to Barack Obama, whose left-handed jump shot and sharp elbows have been known to attract notice in a pickup game.
Of course, it's all a metaphor for the presidency.
"Whether it's winning championships or a president who can lead us back to greatness, I'll always want the most prepared and experienced person leading my team," says Johnson, who has endorsed Clinton and campaigned with her. "That's why I'm asking you to join me in voting for Hillary Clinton for President."
Comments
Magic Johnson's basketball talent was second only to the greatness of Larry Bird.
And he's right about Obama being too much of a rookie...let's not forget, Obama is like Obambie compared to Hillary.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 18, 2008 7:21 PM
I'll take a rookie over a hack any day. Then there are the lightweights like the poster at 7:21 PM.
Posted by: DD | January 18, 2008 7:31 PM
I'm pretty sure there was a guy on the bulls who was better than both bird and johnson. i believe both bird and johnson admitted to this players greatness in his rookie year as well
Posted by: magic | January 18, 2008 8:41 PM
How very clever of Hillary to use a metaphor those black folk will understand. Obama just talks too fancy. Her strategists deserve a bonus for this. It's genius... pure genius.
Posted by: Phil | January 18, 2008 9:39 PM
Of course, this is the same Magic who, on his wondrous 1990's "The Magic Hour", asked Danny DeVito, "So, Danny, what do a producer do?"
Posted by: Junior Cooper | January 18, 2008 9:46 PM
Oh let me add that to the list.
fresh
clean
articulate
fancy
You really do need a strategist to say anything these days, tomorrow nice will be on the hit list.
Posted by: seesh | January 18, 2008 10:03 PM
Political endorsements by celebrities for these Demoncrats just goes to show these politicians' presumptions about the lack of intelligence of their own followers. But, I guess they're right.
NObama in '08!
No Shrillary in '08
Posted by: Rey Flores | January 18, 2008 10:35 PM
Hey, Obama has a whopping two years of federal experience, most of which he has spent simply posturing and campaigning for the presidency.
His foreign relations experience consists of...well, nothing. Sure, this guy is qualified to become the most powerful leader in the world during these especially challenging times. He certainly has a nice smile.
Posted by: Robert John | January 18, 2008 11:28 PM
Obama may be a rookie
but Hillary is a crookie
Posted by: susan bauer | January 18, 2008 11:45 PM
And what university did Magic Johnson receive his degree in Political Science? Just wondering. And, does anyone really care if an athlete, actor or just plain human fodder for the tabloids, endorses a candidate for public office? I think not. Some of us do know how to separate the wheat from the chafe.
Posted by: sondra k miller | January 19, 2008 3:13 AM
Six years as a states junior senator, and 8 as the First lady aren't exactly a huge "experience" resume for Clinton.
If her one shot as leadership, the 1990's health care taskforce is an indicator, she's probably far from best, or most experienced person in the race.
If Ditka's wife said she should be a head coach because she was married to Mike for all those year's we'd laugh at her. When Hillary say's she should be president because she was married to Bill we take her seriously? Please.
Posted by: crazy politico | January 19, 2008 8:16 AM
This is the best Hillary can do? A washed up, wife cheater, role model for HIV, fair basketball player? Maybe she should just stick with her husband. Oh, wait a minute, on second thought, maybe she did go with the stronger of the two.
Posted by: Fred | January 19, 2008 8:31 AM
I knew Michael Jordan, and Hillary, you're no Michael Jordan.
Posted by: KDAllen | January 19, 2008 9:36 AM
And I really believe a basketball player who dropped out of college when he says things about a Harvard graduate and longtime teacher of Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago.
Uh-huh. Yeah. Right.
The very fact that Hillary Clinton would think that us "po' black folk" would go for that is another reason to despise her.
Next, she'll try to beat Obama by going into the black community accusing Barack of "acting white" by running for president.
Posted by: CharlesJefferson | January 19, 2008 10:07 AM
Magic Johnson?
How is he qualified to say anything on politics and abilities other than sports?
While he is free as a citizen to speak, why would you bother quoting him?
And apart from all that, his personal situation of course reflects a life of greed and ignoring good sense.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | January 19, 2008 11:43 AM
The question is, would you rather have a rookie 'Magic' Johnson or a veteran Jerry Sloan or Norm Van Lier? I liked both those guys, but who wouldn't take 'Magic' over either of them?
Posted by: Tom O | January 19, 2008 12:47 PM
Political endorsements by celebrities for these Demoncrats just goes to show these politicians' presumptions about the lack of intelligence of their own followers. But, I guess they're right.
NObama in '08!
No Shrillary in '08
Posted by: Gay Flores | January 18, 2008 10:35 PM
Nice try....But only a fool would make a statement like that when you have the Huckster bringing in the very same. Please open your mind and eyes before you insert foot.
Posted by: bill r. | January 19, 2008 1:19 PM
How is he qualified to say anything on politics and abilities other than sports?
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | January 19, 2008 11:43 AM
I guess the same way Chuck Norris is qualified. Can't play boths side John.
Posted by: bill r. | January 19, 2008 1:24 PM
Keeping up with the basketball analogy: Obama is like the youthful LeBron James ... Clinton is more like Bill Lambeer -- old, plays dirty, and cheat whenever possible. Bill would have loved the voter fraud in New Hampshire.
Posted by: David | January 20, 2008 5:27 AM
Obama is a rookie, what did he do for Illinois. Right now, the mayors, Senator Durbin, as well as the Governor run their agendas. Tying to get more money for the state, and just doing the best they can for the state.
Obama has done nothing but talk. NO ACTION............, Up to now he is not proven, and a liability to the country as he is to the State.
Posted by: angelo ventura | February 5, 2008 2:34 PM