Kevin Johnson to run for mayor of Sacremento

He just may folks. The 42-year-old, former NBA point guard has announced that he will challenge incumbent Heather Fargo in Sacramento's municipal election this June. Johnson made the announcement at a news conference yesterday at the Guild Theater in Oak Park, a low-income Sacramento neighborhood where he grew up and where he has devoted himself to urban renewal projects after retiring from the NBA.

Johnson, who did not take questions at his news conference, is the only serious opponent to Fargo, who has governed the capital city for the last three terms.

Whoever thought that the 1992 Phoenix Suns would become so politically involved?! Or at least attempt to. Or in Charles Barkley's case, talk about being politically invovled.

Emmitt Smith supports Barack Obama

The former Dallas Cowboy running back and current ESPN announcer pumped up the crowd at the Reunion Arena in Dallas on Wednesday when he introduced Barack Obama.



After Emmitt's rousing introduction, Obama responded in delight:
"I knew he could play football. I knew he could dance. But I didn't know that he could fire up a crowd the way Emmitt Smith fires up a crowd...I'm just glad he's not running for president."

The endorsement marks the most public declaration by a sports broadcaster during this election season. ESPN currently does not have a network policy that prohibits broadcasters from making their political preferences public information.

Do you think it's the network/broadcaster's responsibility to remain publicly, politically neutral in order to maintain journalistic integrity? Do these rules apply in the world of sports and entertainment? It's a fine line...

Barkley for governor - wants no help from Al and Jesse

Charles Barkley has announced that he definitely plans to run for governor of Alabama. However, he is looking for no help from Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. In a recent interview
with Playboy he expressed that he felt Sharpton and Jackson both play the race card too often:

"I don't believe in them. They always play the race card, and you can't always play the race card. Sometimes the race card is needed but not in every situation. We have to hold blacks more accountable for their actions."

While I agree with the statement, I'm not sure how wise to completely write off Jesse and Al. I respect his conviction, but I mean, damn Charles. You better watch your back! You are still green in the political world. Is it smart to start offending people so soon?