Charles Barkley Slams Republicans On CNN: "I Call Them Fake Christians", The Word 'Conservative' "Makes Me Sick"

Basketball legend Charles Barkley appeared on CNN's Late Edition, with Wolf Blitzer, this morning, and made some controversial remarks about Republicans. Barkley, who continues his career in basketball off the court as a TV commentator for the NBA, is supporting Barack Obama for president, and was defending Obama against criticism that he is inexperienced in foreign policy and other areas, when he veered off-course, and began a classic Barkley non-sequitur. Barkley started by saying, as a resident of Arizona, how much he respects John McCain, but then quickly began slamming Republicans and conservatives in general. Barkley said, "Every time I hear the word conservative it makes me sick to my stomach because they're really just fake Christians, as I call them." Blitzer asks Barkley to elaborate a bit on the phrase he used, "fake Christians." Barkley does so, essentially accusing conservatives of being hypocritical. Blitzer warns Barkley that he's probably going to a lot of "feedback" about his harsh criticism of the GOP, but Barkley is unfazed, offering this priceless response: "They can't do anything to me. I don't work for them."

Watch the video from CNN below, and tell HuffPost whether or not you agree with Barkley's explosive comments:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1417325938http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Comments

[SmootyBooty]

Lest we forget-Wolf is an idiot!

[Fernando]

Even if he never played in a team I liked, I always loved seeing Charles Barckley play; the man had guts and was fierce. Under that cranky, thrash-talking exterior, I always saw an likable guy. I still do.

He should, though, watch that big mouth of his. Four years ago he said he couldn't vote for a Democrat because "they will rise my taxes" and go "after my money" or something to that effect. The type of anti-endorsement so self-centered to appeal to anyone else (like THAT was the only issue in such an important race!). Now he's all for Obama, responsible government and all other good things he should have cared about four years ago, but now that old rhetoric gets in the way.

In the media people make the choices that make their persona likable or unlikable, influential or not as they will appeal to different crowds. The endorsement of a once famous and controversial figure like Barkley would not amount to any perceptible political sway and even less when he's perceived as saying one thing and then another. He's good for the TNT network crowd, for the political crowd... ehhhh, not so much.

[helonias]

Define feedback.

Excuses from the emperors that have no clothes?

[SmootyBooty]

Make no mistake. Charles has been saying the same thing for a year, at least. I've heard him on several outlets. He wouldn't be so upfront if he didn't KNOW that the rest of his peers are with him...

[janvoght]

barkley is not as shocking as he is made to seem. the last two republican terms have created this characterization, and we have been the victims for 7+ years! he is simply being himself, and true to his own character of honesty and straight forwardness.
Peace Out!

[Madampotential]

"Every time I hear the word conservative it makes me sick to my stomach because they're really just fake Christians, as I call them."


"Conservatives make me sick to my stomach." LOL!! Barkley cracks me up.

[helonias]

Pssst Charles, they are called pharisees.

They are described in the bible a whole lot.

[Centaur]

I think what Charles said might give us some kind of insight as to what his two "brothers(Tiger & MJ)" are thinking politically. Tiger and Jordan don't have the political courage to say what's on their minds publicly, but I do recall Jordan supporting Obama when he ran for Senator and supported Bill Bradley for President. Barkley may have been a republican but he has finally seen the light. Welcome aboard, Sir Charles!

[PoliticalJunkessa]

*applause* Gotta love Charles for telling it like it is. I couldn't agree more. I have somehow escaped fundamental Christianity with my sanity and intellect intact and I say Charles is right on.

[rwe]

so Chuck can join Larry Flynt as a fine prograssive

[anons]

Why is CHarles Barkely on CNN???
I like his straight talk manner but he, like magic Johnson, really rub me the wrong way as a black male myself. Simply because the press seem to love to give barely-literate black folks a stage.

[who38]

Charles Barkley is on CNN because he is smart and courageous....and he can frame an issue well. Pity you can't see that.

Way to go, Charles, but please put Dwayne in your Fav 5.

[SmootyBooty]

Check your grammar there, anons, before you start throwing out accusations about the level of someone else's literacy.
You turd...

[lovethesinner]

Apparently, judging from the "articulate" and by and large supportive comments here...

"it's NOT how you say it, it's what you say" that counts.

Who you calling "barely-literate", anyway, my brother? (I mean... what's with the hyphen between "barely" and "literate"?) I've got another saying that might come in handy for you:

"What we say of others is usually best applied to ourselves" -Cal Ripkin (from "How Life Imitates the World Series" by Thomas Boswell)

I don't usually judge people on grammar, or especially spelling, here at Huffpo because... it gets passionate here, often. But...

My favorite Obama quote: "We can't pull ourselves up by tearing the other guy down."

Just sayin'...

"judge not, lest..." (you know the rest)

And if you don't, listen to what Charles was saying again. He said it VERY well... but, only for those who were listening.

GObama!

[punkingale]

Charles was in New Orleans for the basketball game and Blitzer was in NO to cover a story. CNN must have thought it was a good idea to put him on. It was, IMO, a fantastic idea. Didn't anybody see Sir Charles on Letterman Friday night? He's hilarious on the talk shows.

[lisakaz]

Why do you think he is barely literate? I don't assume all athletes are stupid. I remember his Right Guard commercial and SNL appearances. I thought he handled himself pretty well.

[Ice9]

Go Charles, I'm proud to hear you are an Arizona neighbor. You always speak your mind, we need more people exercizing that right to free speech.

[dnweindeb]

This guy’s got intestinal fortitude - translation, guts. In our society today it takes one hell of a lot more courage to say something like that on national tv than banging up against an aggressive brute of an opponent on the court.

[NeoConDeath]

Religious Fundamentalism, A threat Abroad and a threat at Home.

[TakeSake]

Religious No-fun-dem­entialism?

[indyhoosier]

I know Charles' media personality well. But he is wrong when he says he doesn't work for the Republicans. They own the media that pays him, and he will have a correctional meeting with them soon.

[DavidAF]

I hate to say it, but Charles is right on every level on this topic.