Come on fellows...I'm not going to vote for support Obama simply because Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has endorsed him. This is just another Hollywood persona that you liberals think has some sort of clout that will sway the American people. You just don't get it...the people in this country are smart enough to figure out who to vote for without any help from MSNBC.

Come on Chris! Everybody knows that Kareem has NO credibility regarding the matter for which you so eagerly query him. If you want to test the intelligencia of the Black community, ask people with CREDIBILITY. I have more credibility that Kareem, unless we're talking about B-ball and his many dunks. Why? Because I am on the ground, where the rest of the CREDIBLE African Americans are; reading, gathering knowledge through intense research and publications, attending conferences, interacting with the others on the ground. Remember, Kareem is noted for being in the air. Get it right.

Since SPORT Magazine featured him and his unbeaten high school team in NY a long time ago, Kareem has been the man. If he says Obama is fine... that is the gold standard. Kareem has more integrity than any public figure I have watched over my lifetime. With Ali and Ashe, he has transcended sport and celebrity as a realized human being. I hear the man.

I am sure senator Biden just made an honest mistake the way he worded his remark. it is just an oversight on his part. No damage done I am sure Senator Obama understands.

Personally I like Obama too but this isn't about being likeable and being able to build bridges in american society ,I'd prefer our next president to be experienced in foriegn policy and hardened when it comes to defense, the next president is going to have a whole lot more than just getting out of Iraq to deal with (Iran,N.Korea) who in this world cares what Kareem Abdul Jabbar thinks anyway It's highly unlikely his endorsement will swing the vote one way or the other anyhow!

It is interesting that Chris Matthews would have Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Hardball to discuss politics, especially since he is not holding any type of politicial office. With that said, I would just like to know one thing, why does it matter what politicial candidates famous people endorse in the first place? That is part of problem with politics today. Some people now vote for a politician, based on which famous people endorse them. I don't say this to take away anything from Sen. Obama or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but point out that people need to based there vote on more than that.

Ok, Karim Abdul-Jabbar, you've always had good taste; your endorsement of Barack Obama only further demonstrates this fact. It's good to see you back in the game for a worthy cause.

I personally haven't read on heard anything about Obama besides this name being very simular to 'Osama'. If the 'old' world political stance stays in effect the next Pres will be another white, male, Prostatant or Catholic. I personally would like to see a different racial or gender background in the head office of the USA. It is time for a change. We are in the 21st century, and look at the changes in the way we live. This should be the next step to go! Being a white male under 30, I have no faith in the past 8 years of President Bush. More people have died in this war in Iraq (considering it started in Afganistan). And it's time for my generation (as well as other generations to choose what direction of leadership they want wether it is for Themselves, their children, or they children's children.

Here, here, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar. Senator Obama is an extremely impressive man. I wish America would stay focus on the issues for a better country and eventually a better world. Senator Obama needs to be given that opportunity. I am sick of reading about what colour Senator Obama is; is he African-American, black, biracial, radical Muslim and so on. If anything he is African-American. His father was a Kenyan (Africa), mother an American (USA). What difference does it make? THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY.

What has happened to America? Campaigns used to be about which candidate was going to do what for America and how they were going to do it. Now all that is heard during the campaigns nit-picking and finger pointing. Please, let's get back on track and have campaigns the way they are supposed to be and let the voters make a choice based on what is best for our country.

Hi everybody I think it's time to cast a vote for an African-American president. The thing is we need a president who will do the best for the Americans. Obama has clean records inside and outside the United States. This will show the world that America is free from racism as America is always the first. It is time to tell the world that of which non of the europian countries has thought about.

I guess the rich black men found Joe Biden's comments insulting. Some Americans forget Blacks are rich to even if they aren't liked or respected. In the United States if your a black rich person you can sit down it's only the other blacks that don't count for anything in this country. The Movie Do the Right Thing showed that. Look at some talk shows like Chris Matthews. It's clear that if your black Chris has to put that dig in no matter if your Martin Luther King, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan or Senator Obama. If your black Chris has to let the GOP and other faithful Black people don't mean much. A few kind words then back to putting blacks in their place. Thank goodness Americans saw a President who let blacks know they are equal and he respected all as Americans but then along came the KKK President to push Black and other minorities down again. It's funny how racist will cheer for the running back in this years SuperBowl and after the game is over go back to hating the same black running back, but he got paid big and candidates will ask the same black man for money. That's America.

I believe Obama is an excellent candidate. I support him fully; however, after thinking it through, I have come to the conclusion that he might need further grooming to the "ins and outs" of the Presidential position. Some grooming as an 8 year Vice President would set him up for two terms as President and possibly make him one of the most effective Presidents our country has ever seen. He might be able to do it all now but I'm not positive.

Kareem supports Obama. So what! Is he supporting Obama because Obama is truly qualified or because he is an African American. A true African American born of a African Kenyan Muslim and a white American woman. Unfortunate that a real Black American Negroe could not be "the One". Print this if you dare. So much for free press!

tough choice this year for "black americans" like myself. obabma is not a "black american", he is an african-white man. he knows nothing per roots of the heritage that avails him the opportunity to run for president of the united states of america. africans are well-known for putting down black-americans. it's no secret. i am waiting for someone like the recently elected governor of massachusetts to run. he is a black american--and has deep roots in america. it is his legacy that obama trades on. obama's okay--but will not be my first choice. everything about him says he's jumping the line...and not seasoned.

I do not think mr, barack obama or any of those who are running for president have the answer to the way how the world is running today. Only jesus christ and almighty god can helps us now. These election only bring out feeling between black and white.Well if mr, barack obama was smart like me he would campaigns to go to heaven and not the white house' because hell will not miss him in there.

Jabbar was a great basketball player. But the problem with Whites is they still believe that basketball players represent mainstream Black America. They also still believe that all of us love fried chicken and watermelon!LOL. We are as diverse and gifted as there are birds in the air. The legend of Lou Alcindor does not reflect or represent the viability of a candidate. Mr. Obama will do that on his own. Our will and hardiness were forged in the crucible of slavery; our fortitude and diligence were tempered in the trials of Civil Rights; we donned weapons and fought with valor and became righteous in our deaths on foreign battlefields and in the skies of World War I and II. We invented music, arithmetic, the stoplight, the golf tee and peanut butter. Frederick Douglas was arguably one of the greatest debaters in the history of mankind. You guys invented basketball. All we did was master it. Unbreakable, indomitable and oh so happy to be here, we are a vital cog in the mighty machine of America! God Bless the USA!!!!Oh yeah, by the way, ;Fight against the Republican Gay subculture that is insidiously ruining our nation!

It kills me when people dismiss the political opinion of pro athletes and hollywood personas. As if their opinion is somehow lessened because of their job description. Their votes count too, and so does the money that they may contribute to the campagin of their choice. Just because a person is a so-called 'expert' dosen't make his point of view the gold standard.

Being rich or poor as a black person is not the issue here. This is again the perfect example of certain blacks to diffuse the real meaning of what is said into a sorry attempt of racial arguing. It is clear that Senator Biden's comments were purely complimentary. When these certain black racists start speaking clearly and saying everything everytime the right way, then and only then do they have the right to hold such comments from white politicians to such scrutiny. And yes, I am a minority as well which gives me the right to further label the disgust and contempt I have for these hypocritical black racist that have no vision in helping America become more of an equality. They actions prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they prefer to keep widening the division between whites and blacks and other minorities recognize this even more now than ever. Rev. Al Sharptons comments could have been worse but how dare you say Biden's comments were wrong coming from an adulterer. You may speak the hope of racial equality but in many ways you have done more harm with your idiotic words that appear to be more bigotry where no more is needed. Even Obama had to open his big mouth again by issuing a second comment. Even this illustrious candidate fell prey to the few black racists who had to sway him to speak against Biden. I will know hold an even higher scrutiny to you Obama and will see how you falter in the future. I am finally sick of how one has to say everything the right way or be politically correct. AS a minority, say it the way you want to say it. Let your actions of the past dictate what you mean. Certain ones (not all) in the black community have done more harm at always trying to find the evil in what the white man now says instead of having the dignity of hearing what they really mean. You black racists disgust me and should digust this country. It is the intelligent black american that can see this alarming trend and knows racism will not change a country that used to be unbalanced with white racism while seeing that it is now unbalanced with black racism. If you want to hear it politically correct... certain blacks are now worse than certain whites and that now dictates and different change of events and policy. For all of us to get along, some of us just need to SHUT UP and think about what someone says and what they mean instead of making matters worse. As for racism, it's evils comes in many forms... even black. And that's a news bulletin?

I'd like to refrain from commenting on the merits and demerits of the candidates based on color, race, religion, et al. However, as a leading democracy, it would be nice to see in the American history that it was lead by a women/multicultural President.

Kareem A. J. is an Afro-American Muslim and he endorses Obabma, so is that a plus for Obama or a negative given the low status of Islam in the US post 9/11 ? Kareem has been outspoken over the years as racism and VietNam were controversial issues. His respect off the court is not known, so his praise for Obama may be a two edge sword... On another note, if Obama lacks experience in foreign policy then the criteria for voting would be only to elect incumbents. If George Bush, who probably thought Somalia was a province in Italy before he took office, can become a foriegn policy expert, then I have confidence that Obama, having lived aprt of his life in foreign countries and in the real world, will do just fine if given the chance.

It's odd how so many dismiss Kareem just because he is an athlete, it's as if athletes are stupid and don't know anything else besides sport. It seems that the people at large want to dismiss a celebrity , just because they are famous and don't want to hear their message. The dixie chicks are a good example, they are antiwar and shared their view and people boycotted them. Now America shares their view, what if the rest of America was as smart as them, would there even be a second term for Bush? Would America still be in this mess? Think for once people, just because they are celebrities, it doesn't mean they are stupid. Now on Obama, it's too early to tell really, so far it's looking good for him. He is the kind of person America needs right now, someone who will bring people together. First and foremost we need to see if he puts America first, second and third. He is aware of world issues, things that most American's don't know about, and don't care. I know most of you are probably saying, " who cares about the rest of the world". Well if the public knew enough about the rest of the world, they wouldn't be so quick to believe everything their president tells them ( weapons of mass destruction, " they are against peace"). The Ignorance of America is showing through this war, and it takes a humble person to admit and work on it.

Look, if George Bush can be elected President with his lack of inherent intellect and knowledge of a broad spectrum of domestic and foreign policy issues, then why is there a question of capability regarding Senator Obama, or any other Democratic and Republican candidate. Based on the Bush standard that has been set, any candidate could do the job, the question is who might be most capable and who do you prefer?

This man Obama is a true representation of all human races that make America. Lets face the facts, his father was African, his mother American, his step family Asian A Christian with Islamic routes. This is the man who will reconcile America with the rest of the world. America is a great nation which needs a leader who can be listened to by anyone in the world without any constructive prejudice based on colour of the skin.

Face it America, that as long as the White Anglo Saxon good old boys own and control the industrial-military- political-judicial-banking-security-petrochemical- pharmaceutical-media-organized religion-and do gooder not for profit complex, nobody other then a white man has much of a chance. On the other hand the big mouths of Jesse Jackson and a few others like him have done too much damage. Then again a few back folks that have made it are not sharing their wealth for the common good or be bothered with making any desirable changes, but fight among themselves. The white folks have always played the game of divide and rule, and there are one too many black folks still ready to say yes Massa. If OBAMA is going to have a chance every black person in particular these sport figures, actors that makes over a million a year should contribute a million to OBAMA Committee in their own state, and the rest that make who can afford it $10,000 each, and all the other minorities make an equal effort.

Mr. Biden didn't say anything wrong, it is exaggeration, acusing Mr.Biden for rasizm, some people just looking wrong direction, and trying to provacate problems in Democratic Party, insted we needto stick together behind both candidates, all democratic candidates. There is so many things that need to be fixth, after 6 years of destruction and negligence . I considering voting for MR.Obama, and hope He won't loose sleep over a such thing. Much more important are: stop using surplus from Social Security for any war, especjally for ocupatin of anothr country, insurace, shools, investigations of Companies , that still pensions form their people, corruption etc., etc., etc., We all sometime say things, or use wrong word, not intentionally, so just stop this , and start something, that is much more positive!!!!!!

In hearing, on one of this morning's political shows, what Senator Obama wrote about "Iraq" while he was still in the Illinois State legislature makes me believe that he has the thinking capacity and diplomatic ability to get us out of our "mess" maybe better that anyone. Senators Clinton and particularly Biden could be equal to Obama. The news media seemed to want to pick up and blow up Biden's use of "clean". My interpretation was that Biden meant Obama to be politically clean with no skeletons in his closet.

I'm looking for some fresh intellectual capital. For us all, may we have details: explicit, conceivably excruciating, details spelling out how to build "bridges to different segments" of any social group with differing opinions; Like a page(or two) from a hypothetical user's guide to "consensus building" for the uninitiated.

I have a friend who is convinced that reverse-racism is the policy of the day.The last thing in the world that I want to do is believe that,but why else would the likes of an Obama be considered Presidential fodder?There are literally 500 people more qualified than him who should be running in his stead.

Senator Osama is black yet he has a fully white mother. He is African, yet he was born in America. Yet he is African. His middle name is Hussein, yet he is not muslim. Have we not had enough of this play on heritage? We are all Americans and should refer to ourselves as such in solidarity, without the pretext of ancestral origin. And contrary to popular beleif, the American public is stupid and preoccupied with materialism to unite and do anything about our current situation.

What happen to the other side of Obama, he is half white, why is he focusing on his black side, why not the the white side? I know why, it is because they are only black when they need the black vote. If white voted only then he would be white. Instead of saying Obama is black, why don't we just say that he would be the first mix president.

Of course America is ready for a black President.. America is ready for a black anything or at least it better get ready..The ozone layer is evaporating around all of us..its time to wake up people..oh and by the way, I believe that senator Biden was right on with his statement ( and Im a black man) regarding senator Obama..Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are both very interesting men. They are both leaders of men who have tried to live their lives by some principles.While this is true, neither of them were Ivy League educated like Obama. Both Jackson and Sharpton are very polarizing figures.. Thus far, Obama has been a social uniter. and by the way it is this trait that is the main reason he is a threat to hillary..so in this ultra sensitive, politically correct world, senator Biden was correct.Obama is the first Ivy leagued educated, socially diverse, Good looking, well spoken black candidate for President that has ever proven his electibility by holding a major elected office.. Oh and I like Kareem too..

What has he done? Talk is cheap! Who is bankrolling his campaign? If it the same people as the other "front -runners" candidates, then we know this is just a put up job to keep the race interesting

I hate to see "race" play a part of the 2008 election. I know we all have an opinion concernnig who should be President. However, let us pick the right person for each respective parties and then let the people's vote to decide who should be President of this great country.

Is there any possibility that we could support a candidate for what they believe to be the best course for America? Someone who has ideas backed up with rational thought as to how to accomplish those ideas? Why don't we demand this of our candidates? We are too lazy to think for ourselves to determine if proposed ideas have merit based on sound policies that have been discussed in open forum using facts. All the facts not just sound bites. Wake up America, the majority of politicians are not out there to help you they are there to help themselves. THINK, QUESTION, DECIDE.....for your self.

Chris, Ditto on Jack McDaniel's comment. This is typical of what is just the beginning of a long “Race Play” as will be similar with the gender play that will be painfully apparent during Hilary’s run for ’08. It really makes us look narrow sited and uninformed when we prop celebrities up to promote candidates. It is as if some are compelled to elect a minority or a woman simply for the novelty of making history i.e. Ms. Pelosi. I only hope that some of these American voters can move beyond this behavior and consider the candidates for their true ability to lead our country competently.

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