Former basketball star Charles Barkley weighed in on the presidential race during an NBA broadcast on Sunday night, saying that Democrats would "beat" presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney "like a drum in November."
Romney, who was at the playoff game between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks with his wife Ann, was shown mingling with the crowd at Boston's TD Garden during a broadcast on TNT.
"We're going to beat you like a drum in November," Barkley said as the camera cut to the former Massachusetts governor. "Don't take it personally. You seem like a nice guy, but you're going down, bro."
Barkley, an analyst for TNT's NBA coverage who famously switched his allegiance from the Republican to Democratic party, is no stranger to political commentary. In December, he slammed the GOP presidential field, calling the potential nominees "idiots" who unfairly criticize President Obama.
He has also considered getting involved in politics himself. In 1995, while still affiliated with the Republican party, Barkley weighed a potential run for governor in Alabama, his home state. While that run never materialized, he surfaced the idea again in 2010 -- that time as a Democrat.
However, in an interview with the New Republic in 2008, Barkley claimed to be apolitical.
"I do not use words like liberal or conservative," he said. "You can ask me a question and I will give you an answer. Those are words rich people on television use to divide and conquer. I am pro-choice. And if gay people want to get married, that is none of my business."
According to the Associated Press, the Romneys and longtime friend Bob White sat about 12 rows back at mid-court.
(HT: @utaustinliberal)