Barkley: Man Of, And On, The People

Is this your next governor of Alabama? Charles Barkley, getting it done one voter at a time. Barkley says he's seriously considering a run in 2010, and we don't know why we should consider this any more seriously than we did the other 22 times he said he'd run for office, but somehow, we do. Maybe it's because this time, Barkley would be running as a Democrat. When asked at the recent American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament at Lake Tahoe, Barkley said "I was a Republican until they lost their minds." Well, Barkley at least has a platform. Witness this quote from Wednesday, on his home state: "If it wasn't for Arkansas and Mississippi, we'd be dead last in everything. I think we can do better." Some are skeptical, however, is as related in this Associated Press story:

Jim Seroka, a political science professor at Auburn University, said the former Auburn basketball star is getting ahead of himself by talking about possibly running without first building a base of support or looking at finances. "He doesn't have any of the bases necessary to run a statewide campaign," Seroka said.

Hey, Barkley knows the pitfalls of fiscal irresponsibility. Just ask any pit boss in any Nevada casino. Anyway, we anxiously await that first Governor's conference to see if Barkley and Oklahoma governor Brad Henry are seated at the same table.

Barkley Renews Talk Of Running For Alabama Governor [MSNBC] Barkley Irritates Oklahoma Governor [Indianapolis Star]