Former NBA all-star, now an NBA announcer for TNT, Charles Barkley has a unique take on conservatives and Republicans. He questions their faith.
Barkley appeared on CNN’s February 15 “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” not to discuss basketball, but to discuss who he is supporting for the 2008 presidential election. Barkley has said he was once supportive of the Republican Party because he believed Democrats wanted to raise his taxes. Now he has changed his tune and has adopted a very hostile tone – calling Republicans “fake Christians.”
“[B]ut I don't like the way the Republicans are taking this country,” Barkley said. “Every time I hear the word conservative it makes me sick to my stomach because they’re really just fake Christians, as I call them. That’s all they are.”
However, Blitzer followed-up at the end of his interview with Barkley and asked him to elaborate on his “fake Christian claim.”
“Well, I think they want to be judge and jury,” Barkley said. “Like, I’m for gay marriage. It’s none of my business if gay people want to get married. I’m pro-choice. And I think these Christians, first of all, they’re not supposed to judge other people. But they’re the most hypocritical judge of people we have in the country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like they’re Christians. They’re not forgiving at all.”
So why is Barkley so adamant about supporting Barack Obama for president? Barkley said it was economics.
“Well, you know what, it won’t affect me at all,” Barkley said. “But what I really said was ‘I’m rich like a Republican.’ I never voted for a Republican. I’m actually an independent. But, I’m supporting Barack because I have to look at the big picture. This country is divided by economics between the rich and the poor and I’m going to support him all the way to the wall. I really like his chances right now.”
Barkley told Blitzer he wasn’t worried about any feedback he would get for making those comments.
“They can't do anything to me,” Barkley said. “I don't work for them.”
Barkley said he was planning to run for governor of Alabama in 2014. He reiterated his views on social issues, but didn’t say how he would campaign in a socially conservative state.
“I feel very comfortable saying I’m pro-choice, and I’m for gay marriage – very comfortable,” Barkley added.