Athletic Supporters: Are The Mavs For Obama Or McCain?

Mike Fisher -- DB.com

   The results? Four unanimous votes. … and a few laughs.

First, to the real election:

    Gerald Green: “I’m registered to vote in (his hometown of) Houston. So I guess I won’t get to vote. But I’m supporting Obama. I’ve watched his speeches, and I’ve been (affected) by those.’’

   Jason Terry: “My support will be behind the man who has the opportunity to affect change in this country. We’ve been in bad shape in many ways – not just in the last two months, and not just financially – but really for the last eight years. Obama gives us the opportunity to have a real change. It starts with a piece of history. An African-American person as President is so significant in so many ways. … but it continues with the hope that Obama brings, hope that someone who represents change as a human being can also represent change in the way America does its business. Obama.’’

   JJ Barea: “I don’t follow it closely enough except to say that Barack Obama is obviously a special person, a gifted person.’’

   Erick Dampier: “I’ll tell you officially once the election is over. But I will say this (as a hint): We need a change that brings about some unity. I do follow politics and I do try to be aware of the issues. And our lack of unity is a major issue.’’

   Mavs president Terdema Ussery has personally donated the max $2,300 to each candidate. And Mark Cuban's candidate -- whomever it is -- is going to fix this economy, damnit.

   Now to the Mav for President:

   Green: “If I could vote for myself, I would, because I have the good looks and charisma it takes to lead a nation. … no, no. … I’ll go with Jason Terry. He really does have that charisma. He brings people together.’’

   Barea: “I’ll tell you the guy in the locker room that everybody really would vote for, if it’s based on personality. It’s ‘Gana Diop. He’s everybody’s friend. He doesn’t have an enemy in the world. No skeletons in his closet. … If ‘Gana Diop actually campaigned, and asked people for votes, nobody would say no.’’

   Dampier: “I believe Jason Terry would try to talk people into voting for him. He can talk.’’

   Terry: “I’d be happy to vote for myself. But the real political powerhouse in this locker room is Jerry Stackhouse. He is already very Presidential in the way he acts. He is ‘The Voice.’ He’s a man of the people, but also, you know how most politicians are also lawyers? Stack would make a good president because on this team, he lays down the law!’’

   For what it’s worth, the NBA world at large seems pretty much in the tank for Obama. His list of athletic supporters includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Charles Barkley, Shane Battier, Charlie Bell, Chauncey Billups, Vlade Divac, Baron Davis, Chris Duhon, Joe Dumars, Evan Eschmeyer, Grant Hill, Phil Jackson, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shawn Marion, Joakim Noah, Greg Oden, Chris Paul, Terry Porter, Amare Stoudemire and Bill Walton.

   One more for-what-it’s-worth: Troy Aikman is a McCain man. Emmitt Smith is an Obama man. And Jerry Jones is splitting his dough, 68 percent to the Republicans, 32 percent to the Democrats.

   I’m not bringing this up to influence anybody (as if Joakim Noah’s vote is going to influence anybody!) It’s just a public-service announcement. … and both McCain and Obama approved this message.

820am nov 4 2008