Greg Oden endorses Barack Obama

GregodenOver at YardBarker.com, Portland Trailblazer rookie Greg Oden blogs about his phone call with Barack Obama:

Today I got a phone call from Senator Barack Obama. ...

The conversation was quick - like two minutes but I got to talk to him like a real person. What I got from talking to him is that he is a real sports fan and he knew about the Blazers. He said that when I come back Brandon, LaMarcus and I will be a force next year. He also asked me about my knee, and he said he wasn't feeling my mohawk - lol. I laughed and explained to him that it's just a haircut to me and he told me he liked how I handle myself as a young man - "Thanks Mom." I did not talk politics with him. He talks about that stuff all the time and I'm going to keep learning more about the issues.

He is a very nice man and I am a big fan. I got the chance to go to his website (www.barackobama.com) and read up on some of his beliefs and there are things he is doing that I really support like his plan with education, civil rights, and health care. That's why Senator Obama is getting my vote.

And a few thoughts about the importance of voting:

If the person I vote for wins it's gonna be because of my one little vote, at least that's what I'm gonna think. I think everyone should think that way. This will be my first presidential election to participate in as a voter and I hope that you younger voters will get involved. I think that our votes can really influence the outcome so go out, register and vote for who you think is the best candidate to be the best leader for this country and make sure you and your family will feel good about the new president that is elected in November.

Read the rest. Discuss.

(Hat tip to BlueOregon reader "Doretta".)

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    If the person I vote for wins it's gonna be because of my one little vote, at least that's what I'm gonna think. I think everyone should think that way.

    Very well said, Greg.

  • Tiresias (unverified)
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    This post is obviously part of the BlueOregon conspiracy to overshadow Novick's endorsement of Obama.

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    there goes Ohio, Hillary. :)

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    Sports aren't really my thing, but Greg Oden is. Regardless of his knee, off the court this is a really together young man who continues to impress. Enjoy that first time voter experience, Greg; it's a rush.

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    So many professional athletes vote Republican because they hate paying taxes. This is really refreshing.

    Good for you, Greg. And yes, voting is cool. You will love it.

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    Good point, Jamais vous. I remember reading the pre-draft reports and articles on him and his mental and emotional maturity was impossible to miss. Particularly in contrast with so many playboys that come into the NBA.

  • Steve Rosenbaum (unverified)
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    This is perhaps the "tipping point" of the 2008 election.

  • HairStylin' (unverified)
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    Will Obama sport the fauxhawk too?

  • Daniel F (unverified)
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    He doesn't like the fauxhawk, Greg said he mentioned that on the phone...

    Maybe Greg can become this generation's Jim Brown, I'd love to see him (or anyone else) become an athlete that speaks out on issues. Rather than just try to sell shoes, or whatever.

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    Sergio Rodriguez has a fauxhawk. Greg has a real mohawk.

    Nothing faux about this kid OR his haircut.

    It's such fun to be a Blazer fan again.

  • mbraymen (unverified)
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    If Obama is the nominee, I think we may be talking about "Obama Democrats" for years. That is, lifelong Democrats that voted their first time to elect Obama.

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    That's pretty awesome. Unfortunately it didn't help us against the Lakers tonight....

  • Garrett (unverified)
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    Obama beats McCain - Oden's Blazers consistently whoop the Lakers. Both have such good rings to them.

  • BCM (unverified)
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    What difference a few years makes. Do you think any of the Blazers from three years ago would ever talk politics? Good for Greg, but credit is also due to the Blazers for bringing someone with this charachter to Oregon.

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    Imagine Greg canvassing door-to-door... "Good Morning Ma'am, I'm Greg Oden and I'm a volunteer for the Barack Obama campaign, can we count on your vote?" Swoosh! Another slam-dunk for Democracy!

    Hmmm, Martel Webster lives next door to my brother here in Washington County, maybe I better get up there and see if he wants to host a House Party!

  • Betting Man (unverified)
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    $50 says Greg isn't registered to vote.

    $100 say less than half the Blazer team is registered.

  • nic (unverified)
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    Dare I say we have our first whiff of who Obama may be leaning towards as his running mate?....

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    Betting Man, why don't you trot down to the Rose Garden and ask Greg and the rest of the team yourself?

  • DavidS (unverified)
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    QUICK! Check out the picture on Oregonlive of Greg sitting next to Laura Bush at a charity event Thursday.

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