And so does Bush Babe Erika Harold!
Posted on 06/02/2004 11:08:08 PM PDT by John Lenin
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM, Associated Press Writer
PHILADELPHIA - Don King, the wild-haired boxing promoter, is touring the country with Republican National Committee (news - web sites) chairman Ed Gillespie to tout President Bush (news - web sites)'s re-election.
"Only in America," as King often says — and he did at a stop in Philadelphia Wednesday.
"People understand that George Walker Bush is the man with the plan to make America better," King, sporting an American flag tie and plenty of diamond-encrusted jewelry, told a group of black business leaders at a downtown jazz club. "Sometimes, just sometimes, it ain't too bad to be in the Bushes."
The latter line is the flip side of Jesse Jackson's warning at past Democratic conventions for Americans to "stay out of the Bushes."
King's rap sheet makes him an odd choice for Bush front man. He was convicted in the 1967 beating death of a man who owed him money and spent nearly four years in prison. In 1954, he killed a man who was robbing a numbers house he operated in Cleveland, but it was ruled self-defense.
King also has beaten tax evasion and fraud charges, faced numerous lawsuits from boxers and their handlers and endured three grand jury investigations and an FBI (news - web sites) sting operation — all while cementing his status as one of the world's top boxing promoters.
Republicans see King as a way to reach the ever-elusive black vote. Bush managed just 9 percent of the black vote in 2000, matching Ronald Reagan (news - web sites)'s percentage in 1984 and faring just slightly better than Republican Barry Goldwater's 6 percent in 1964.
"I said to him, you know they are going to come after us, they are going to attack us, and they are going to try to smear us," Gillespie said Wednesday. "But the fact is, I know the man, he is a friend of mine, and I'm proud to stand with him today."
Republican National Committee spokeswoman Tara Wall, who called King a "patriot," said the GOP supports "those who support us. Don King has come out to support us and he supports President George Bush. That's something he chose to do on his own and we're glad to have him."
In May, King attended a Republican fund-raiser in Washington and shook hands with Bush.
King and Gillespie, who began their "Economic Empowerment Tour" in Detroit last week, also plan stops in New York and Miami. The duo was joined in Philadelphia by Miss America (news - web sites) 2003 Erika Harold, who is black.
"Where have you see a Republican chairman standing up with us in the heart of the ghetto? We're going to talk about how we can make that change, to educate and uplift and enlighten our people," King told reporters.
The Democratic National Committee (news - web sites) avoided commenting on King, instead saying that blacks in the city have been hurt by Bush's economic policies.
I don't see how it brings dishonor. You appear to be distraught over the fact that someone with a 40 year old criminal record would be for a Republican. You also appear to be what you accused others on the Gay thread of being.
I can see a lot of positives in this. When Fox has Sharpton on they should have King on to be fair and balanced. The same with Rangle and Jackson. It would be a hoot.
A felon, is a felon is a felon. If Don King can Campaign for Bush would you support permitting other felons to cast ballots in November?
Billy Graham isn't perfect either.
http://hnn.us/articles/657.html
Whenever new Nixon tapes are released, the next-day stories invariably highlight the most outrageous tidbits, which typically include some anti-Jewish slurs. This go-round was no exception. Along with Nixon's apparently unserious threat to nuke Vietnam, reporters pounced on this 1972 exchange about Jews in the media between Nixon and the Rev. Billy Graham:
BG: This stranglehold has got to be broken or the country's going down the drain.
RN: You believe that?
BG: Yes, sir.
RN: Oh, boy. So do I. I can't ever say that, but I believe it.
BG: No, but if you get elected a second time, then we might be able to do something.
As the Chicago Tribune noted, Nixon, Graham, and Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman also cracked anti-Semitic jokes, discussed which journalists were Jewish, and lamented that Washington reporting had deteriorated since Jews entered the trade.
Well, I still think Don King is most likely corrupt, but I saw him on CNN today, and he sure gives a good speech in favor of Bush. He's a mixed blessing, but hopefully he'll be able to help a little.
What can they say? Think about it! (Chuckle)
How do you know he has not petitioned the government for reinstatement of his voting rights? Even if he can’t vote what is wrong with him trying to get others to vote the way he would if he could? You are a study in hypocrisies given my brief perusal of your recent posting history.
Well many "gays" are "convicted felons" based on a myriad of state anti-sodomy laws.
I ran into him in Vegas a few years ago he has more charisma than Bill Clinton.
I gave them help, but they can open the door on their faces on their own, while I stand back and laugh. :)
I won't vouch for his character either, but Don is no dummy. Maybe, just maybe, he realizes what point we are at in history and how important this election is to our survival and the survival of western civilization.
When we are facing an underwear onslaught from the enemy media day after day, it can't hurt to have one of the best PR people out there stumping. I say go for it!
In the same way many conservatives would think that Log Cabin Republicans should be driven from the GOP. I know for a fact that you would oppose that.
It's always bad to have a cultural icon on your side, get real!
Manslaughterers for W!
Yo, you vote for him or I'll kill ya!
(I'll take him)
I know some don't like it but the democrats are going to play as dirty as they can this election. I know a lot of guys I talk to would sooner listen to Don King than Condi Rice.
And so does Bush Babe Erika Harold!
I think felons who have completed parole or probation should have ALL their rights restored.
A bigger crook there never was.
Campaigning for someone and casting a ballot in favor of that person are two separate things. Apples and oranges. The only similarities of the two are that they are freedoms we as Americans enjoy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.