Last September, John Calipari said he was going to send a University of Kentucky basketball jersey to President Barack Obama. When some drooling dittoheads exploded with obscenity laced comments that a Kentucky coach would commit the crime of sending the President of the United States of America a Kentucky jersey, Calipari apologized and withdrew the idea.
Yesterday, Calipari blew it again. It’s not that Calipari is required to support any political candidate—but once he’s made a decision, he needs to take that stand, instead of turning whichever way the wind blows. Bad move.
Within hours after the Herald-Leader published a story Wednesday that University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and his wife, Ellen, were to host a fund-raiser for Gov. Steve Beshear’s re-election campaign, Calipari announced that he was cancelling the event.
“I hope by now you all realize that I don’t take my position as your basketball coach lightly,” Calipari said on his Facebook page. “I know how politically charged this state is and I recognize that the Big Blue Nation comes from both sides of the aisle. I appreciate every elected official who supports the University of Kentucky, regardless of party
“That said the Governor’s event planned for August 11—along with other charitable functions scheduled for our home—have been canceled after realizing the full plate of both professional and pressing, personal matters I will be tending to in the next couple of months. Ellen and I do hope this discussion will lead you to exercise your right to vote in the upcoming elections.”
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Recall that last winter U.K. President Lee Todd expended multiple public resources on behalf Republican state representative candidate Ryan Quarles, including putting up a 15-foot tall photo of Quarles on one of the heaviest traveled roads in Kentucky. Given Todd’s endorsements and expenditures on behalf of Republicans, did Todd have a hand in forcing Calipari to cancel the fundraiser?
Personally I like Governor Beshear. He did issue the executive order again that Governor Fletcher rescinded (originally signed by Governor Patton) to protect Kentucky LGBTI people in Kentucky Government. As far as the economy, it is shocking that Kentucky has not been this broke since WWII, but Beshear inherited these problems, he did not create them.
Let’s face it Calipari is just another opportunist who will switch horses any time it pleases him and is about as ethical as a hungry snake. He’s also about as shallow as the water on a damp floor.
As long as stupid reigns in praise of basketball, Calipari will get away with this fecal demonstration.