Charles Barkley Eyes Alabama Gov. Run as Democrat

The Round Mound of Rebound has changed his political uniform from red to blue and is talking again about running for governor of Alabama, possibly in 2010.

"Alabama, that's my home. I'm thinking about running for governor; they need my help," the always quotable Charles Barkley said.

His decision was received warmly by Joe Turnham, Alabama's Democratic Party chairman, but with skepticism by a political observer.

"I say, 'Welcome Charles Barkley.' Charles Barkley has been a Horatio Alger story for many people, not only in sports but in business and broadcasting," Turnham said Wednesday.

Turnham said he plans to contact Barkley and invite him to some events the party has coming up.

Jim Seroka, a political-science professor at Auburn University, said the former Auburn and NBA 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 Wednesday.

Barkley, a Leeds native, has been talking about running for governor of his home state since he was playing with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. In 1995, he said he was considering running in 1998 as a Republican, but that never materialized.

After that, Barkley continued to identify himself as a Republican until recently, when he switched to the Democratic team.

"I was a Republican until they lost their minds," he said earlier this month at a celebrity golf tournament in Nevada.

"Sir Charles" reinforced that Tuesday while speaking to a convention of public school board members in Destin, Fla.

"What I've said is I'm rich like a Republican, but I'm not one," Barkley said in remarks reported by The Birmingham News.

Barkley said his immediate goal is to get his 17-year-old daughter through high school and into college. Then he plans to decide on his future, including whether to run for governor of his home state.

"I really believe I was put on Earth to do more than play basketball and stockpile money," Barkley said. "I really want to help people improve their lives, and what's left is for me to decide how best to do that."

Alabama's last Democratic governor, Don Siegelman, said Barkley has become a role model for many people and "would make an excellent candidate for high office."

Siegelman noted that Barkley has the personal wealth to stage a strong campaign.

"He's definitely going to be taken seriously," Siegelman said.

In Barkley's remarks in Destin, he was not complimentary of Alabama's past leadership.

"If it wasn't for Arkansas and Mississippi, we'd be dead last in everything. I think we can do better," he said.

Barkley told the school board members that poor children don't have a level playing field with wealthier students, because the poor children have to cope with more problems like crime, drugs and teen pregnancy. But he also admonished some black parents and their children.

"There are too many black kids and their parents who do not value a good education," he said. "There are places where a black kid who is a good student and tries to speak correctly, you hear stuff like, 'He's trying to be white.' Well, I say, if that's true, we need more kids trying to be white."