Barack Obama is not only attracting the votes and support of men, women, workers, students, gays, straights, blacks, and whites. He's starting to lock up the jock vote. Last week in Dallas, Senator Obama won the endorsement of Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys running back Emmit Smith. Today, the long, lanky Senator, who often shrugs off the strain of a long day of campaigning by shooting hoops with his Secret Service detail, picked up the endorsement of an Ohio basketball legend.
COLUMBUS, OH– Greg Oden, the centerpiece of Ohio State University’s 2006-2007 Big Ten Champion and national runner-up team, announced today his endorsement of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for president.
The number one overall pick in last year’s NBA draft, Oden is a first-time voter, and he decided to speak out about this election because he believes America is at a critical juncture.
"Like a lot of young people, I’ve been drawn to Senator Obama’s campaign and the potential he has for our country," Oden said. "Obama gives Americans, especially young voters like me, a sense of hope in politics. He makes us feel like we can come together for the good of our country. Topics like education, and healthcare are very important to me and I agree with Senator Obama's views on these issues."
"Greg Oden meant a lot to the state of Ohio, and we’re proud to have his endorsement," Obama Ohio Director Paul Tewes said
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Senator Obama already has the endorsement of Hall of Famer (and fine author and historian) Kareem Abdul Jabbar. With this latest endorsement, Team Obama will be more than able to post up John "Shorty" McCain and win going away in November.