Clinton "Brings The Magic" To South Carolina

A new radio ad in South Carolina from Sen. Hillary Clinton.... Magic Johnson implies that Barack Obama is a "hyped" "rookie" who needs more seasoning. Check it out:

This is Magic Johnson. On the court and in life, successful leadership comes from hard work and experience. That’s why I’m endorsing Hillary Clinton for President. We have great candidates this year, but I believe only Hillary is a proven leader, with 35 years’ experience dealing with challenges facing America. Are you looking for better jobs, universal health care, better treatment for veterans, opportunities for your children? Then you want Hillary Clinton for President. My rookie year, we won our first game on a last second shot. I was so hyped. But the captain of my team said, “take it easy rookie, it’s a long season, it’s a long road to the championship.” He was right. Winning comes from years of hard work and preparation. Whether it’s winning championships or a President who can lead us back to greatness, I’ll always want the most prepared and experienced person leading my team. That’s why I’m asking you to join me in voting for Hillary Clinton for President.

Comments

Didn't Magic Johnson win the NBA championship and the NBA Finals MVP award as a rookie?

Posted by Joe Drymala | January 18, 2008 4:25 PM

But didn't Magic almost single-handedly lead the Lakers to the NBA title that rookie year in one of the greatest performances in NBA history? He left that part out I guess. It didn't fit the narrative.

Posted by Mike | January 18, 2008 4:25 PM

Of course, Magic Johnson, in that rookie season, made the All-Star team, his team won the NBA Championships, and he won MVP. Seems like experience wasn't what the Lakers needed in 79-80 as much as they needed a Hype Rookie to carry them, especially after Jabbar went down to injury in the final.

But then, he didn't earn his nickname for his metaphorical magic.

Posted by Edward Keenan | January 18, 2008 4:26 PM

I think Magic forgot to mention that he did win a championship as a rookie, and that he also won the Finals MVP as a rookie.

As for experience in dealing with the challenge facing America like "health care," I recall that Hillary had a bite at that apple and failed miserably, so perhaps we should give the rookie a shot—who knows, maybe he'll come through and win a championship and be an MVP just like Magic.

Posted by jbentley | January 18, 2008 4:26 PM

From the looks of these comments, it doesn't look like many people are going to fall for Magic's argument.

Posted by Mike | January 18, 2008 4:27 PM

At least Magic didn't go into the details of the "rooks" having to carry the vets bags. Or sit on the worst seats in the bus. :)

Posted by robert ethan | January 18, 2008 4:28 PM

If you guys would sharpen your COMPREHENSION SKILLS a bit, you might realize that Magic was saying he was "hyped after the first game" and the vet said "It's a long SEASON". A "long road to the championship".

Posted by robert ethan | January 18, 2008 4:31 PM

Is it me or did Magic Johnson (along with Larry Bird) usher in a new era of pro basketball by transforming how the sport was played and perceived around the world? Isn't he famous for being a transcendant tean player (i.e., bringing everyone together around a common cause)? Wasn't Magic uncommonly great as a rookie, winning the NBA championship and the Finals MVP by dominating the deciding game (at center, no less? Seems like there's a good analogy to be made somewhere in there...

Posted by cwbflyr | January 18, 2008 4:33 PM

Right, Robert. Comprehend this: over the course of that long season, the inexperienced rookie was dominant and led his team to the championship, even as his experienced coach and experienced mentor fell off to injury on the way. Is there something I'm missing?

Posted by Edward Keenan | January 18, 2008 4:40 PM

At first, Magic seems like a solid choice for a surrogate as he's currently a very successful entrepreneur after having a legendary pro basketball career.

However, this is a guy who had the biggest trainwreck of a major network late night talk show (aside from Chevy Chase), failed as the "lead analyst" for the NBA on NBC; and had contracted the HIV virus during an extra-marital affair.

Plus, as referred to earlier -- he is one of the rare examples of someone who excelled despite his age/experience (left Michigan State before graduating, and won a NBA title in his rookie year).

Magic is definitely one of the top 5 players of all time (achievement wise and re-defined the point guard position); however as a front-and-center surrogate for HRC, he seems like a dubious choice. (Publicly had an extramarital affair, and demonstrated that you don't need experience to be the best in your field.)

Posted by macarthur31 | January 18, 2008 4:41 PM

Hillary thinks black people are stupid. Great.

Now black people know how the rest of us feel, because Hillary thinks we're all stupid too.

Stupid White Iowans didn't love her.

Stupid Latino Culinary Workers don't love her.

We're all so stupid for not loving Hillary.

GO OBAMA GO

Posted by No More Clintons | January 18, 2008 5:00 PM

"Hyped rookie"? So much for the wonderful truce...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Posted by matt | January 18, 2008 5:06 PM

Yes, but it took a white Commissioner, former Dem political strategist Larry O'Brien, to actually AWARD THE TROPHY to Magic and the Lakers. :) Otherwise all of their efforts would have been in vain.

Posted by robert ethan | January 18, 2008 5:23 PM

Pass me the barf bag!

Posted by beth | January 18, 2008 5:23 PM

My last comment was tongue in cheek, I hope everyone realizes. I hate to spoil a joke by having to explain it, but in these times you can't be too careful. :(

Posted by robert ethan | January 18, 2008 5:28 PM

Magic Johnson tells the LA Sentinel what he thinks of Barack Obama running for President:

Sentinel: Tell me about that telephone conversation you had with Senator Obama. Did you say here’s a $2300 check, but I can’t support you.

Magic Johnson: Well, I’ll just say you have to be honest. I like him and really think that sometimes—it’s just not your turn. You’re not ready. He’s not ready. It’s almost like I picture him as a rookie coming into the NBA. He’s not ready. So he’s not the one. She IS the one. There’s only one person who can turn this whole thing around. The relationships she has already and the experience it will take him 8 years to gain that and then it’s too late. This is not about Black or White. It’s about who’s the best candidate.

Washington Bullet's owner Abe Pollin on what he thought of Magic Johnson's contract after he was drafted without finishing college in 1979:

Q: How do you feel about rookies coming into the league, never having played, like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, earning $600,000 a year?

A: I think that's terrible, absolutely terrible. I can understand Bird a little bit because he had an unusual situation and he had the Celtics in a corner. But I still thhink it's a mistake. . . . I think it puts everything out of kilter. I think when the veterans, who have proven themselves as stars and can draw fans and win games for you, the longer they stay in the league they are deserving of big salaries. . . .I thought the signing of David Thompson for $800,000 a year was a catastrophe for the NBA and I've told the owner that.

Q: If you had somehow this season had the first pick in the draft and a person like Magic Johnson was there, you wouldn't take him?

A: No way. There's no way I would pay him that kind of money. Nope. I would pass.

As the comments here show, everyone knows what happened in the latter case. Go ask Yglesias if he'd have preferred the Bullets make a play for Magic if it were an option at the time at any risk.

Posted by Zach | January 18, 2008 5:42 PM

Woa. I cant believe so many people could be so dense, so I have to believe that you are intentionally misunderstanding what Johnson is saying.

Oh, and for bravely slamming Johnson just because he supports Clinton, shame on you. The fact of the matter is it is neither the press nor the candidates that make campaigns so ugly. Its blog comment boards.

Posted by Jammer | January 18, 2008 6:25 PM

Agreed Jammer. All these critics must be homophobic racists piling on an African American carrying the AIDS virus. Bloody awful.

Posted by robert ethan | January 18, 2008 6:29 PM

Robert Ethan-

Really. Please just stop talking. Your shillitude is stunning.

Posted by Michael's Mom | January 18, 2008 8:06 PM

I agree with the person who said that it's blog posters who make campaigns so ugly.

It's funny--I have repeatedly bee non the verge of voting deciding to vote for Obama, only to get turned off to him by his smug and self-satisfied Hilary demonizing supporters.

If Obama's supporters are inspired by his sincere, honest, and hopeful message, why are they often so cynical and nasty?

Posted by robert snoid | January 18, 2008 8:49 PM

Hi Robert:

What? I'm looking for the cynical, nasty stuff and I just don't see it. I see a bunch of Hillary supporters willing to call people names, and I see a few ignoramouses willing to deny sports history, and I see Magic Johnson revealing himself to be kind of pathetically stupid. But I don't see the nastiness and cynicism you talk about. Help me out here.

Posted by Edward Keenan | January 18, 2008 9:45 PM

The point is, the master (Kareem) told him (the rookie), "Kid, take it easy - we have a whole season to play". Actually, a whole career. Lots of rookies burn themselves out. Magic was out most of his second season instead. He had to be rescued by Kareem himself in the finals in 1985. It wasn't until 1986-87 that he really poured it on for a full season, winning his first MVP, 7 years after he started. And isn't that what we're talking about, MVP? Not just being able to play well in the pros?

And if Magic didn't have a good mentor in Kareem his first season, it's doubtful he would have come through in that final game.

A similar story was with Bobby McFarrin - when he went to take over the Minneapolis Orchestra, he was very nervous, and someone reassured him, "Don't worry, it takes about 10 years for you to finally find your groove". And that's how long it took. Productive, but uncertain 10 years before he felt really comfortable with it.

Posted by Desider | January 19, 2008 6:18 PM