The new influence game: Basketball

Posted: Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:30 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Barack Obama

From NBC's Alex Beinstein
Per ESPN, the new status symbol in D.C. these days is playing ball with the president.

Among friends and colleagues alike, there is a strong demand to get in on the action. ESPN notes:

“The invites to play with the Baller-in-Chief have been scarce. ‘Mostly friends and staff -- the old Chicago crew. ‘he only thing that's changed is we're playing at Camp David,’ cracks Duncan, who has known the president for years. The secretary and some staff at Interior got a run, as did some old buddies of Love's. Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner got an invitation, as did at least one member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The mayor of Washington got a run. Everyone else is angling. Love apparently keeps a list of names in case he needs extras."

Some other notable attendees include Sen. Bob Casey, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (who is something of a basketball gatekeeper), Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Rep. Heath Shuler.

These games have taken place at many different locations, including Camp David, the Interior Department, Sidwell Friends and The Lab School.

And “by Executive fiat, the White House tennis court is being retrofitted for basketball.”

Start working on those games.

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Comments

Ben Stein is right. For all the photo-ops Obama has, when does he ever have time to get anything done? Economy - Sinking fast. Unemployment - Rising faster. Middle-east - soon to have a civil war in Iran, will it spread? - Barack though doesn't want to meddle. North Korea - Obama still hasn't responded to the first missile they launched months ago. But Obama has time for the photo-op, and time to keep telling us "I won". The man is a bore and is very boring.

Mike Thompson, Maryland (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:41 PM)

When's the next date night? What's the budget on those things? Do they try to keep it under a million?

Salis Paul, NYC (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:43 PM)

Throw a hard pick into Barry and the next thing you know you're being waterboarded down at Gitmo.

Alie Rajakeim (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:44 PM)

this is cool...great physical, mental and cardio exercise, especially for a smoker...so cool

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:47 PM)

Might as well play basketball. He's no good at being president.

Community Organizer (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:47 PM)

It’s nice to see someone athletic in the White House for a change… lord knows we’ve had too many years of flabby couch potatoes!

Way to go Mr. Prez… what better way to burn off the stress that comes with that job!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:48 PM)

Yay! A puff piece. Just what I wanted. Who needs to have more discussion on the grossly expanding powers of the Fed the white house just proposed yesterday, because we get to talk about how Obama likes to play basketball. Why he's a regular Teddy Roosevelt. Who cares if he is blatantly ignoring the Constitution with his economic policies and empowering the very institutin that ruined our economy to begin with because he is making the old white guys FEED HIM THE ROCK!

can somebody on this "political team" please hit the on switch on your brains?

Thank You,

Mgmt.

Jonathan, Flint MI (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:55 PM)

And “by Executive Fiat, the White House tennis court is being retrofitted for basketball.”

Oh I saw the jest and got the jest. At least they are donating it to the Peoples House. Chrysler got help from the CIC and is this so bad? Chrysler was saved wasn't it.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:56 PM)

The man is a bore and is very boring.

Mike Thompson, Maryland (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:41 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Any you Mike are redundant!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:56 PM)

It’s nice to see someone athletic in the White House for a change… lord knows we’ve had too many years of flabby couch potatoes!

===================

Bush II - Is a very serious runner.

Bill C. gave jogging a try, then focused on working out with the interns.

Bush I - Stayed in great shape, but didn't make his workouts public. The man just skydived at age 85.

Reagan - Stayed in shape - Good enough shape to beat the commies.

Carter - Former Navy man - Not much of President, but did get physical with a wild rabbit using a canoe paddle.

Jack Lalanne (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:59 PM)

Mike Thompson, Maryland:
Ha, ha, ha, ha..are you quoting Ben Stein? The doom gloom whiner? You have got to be kidding me! You should have been ashamed to even post this. lol lol

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, June 18, 2009 5:04 PM)

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