INDEPENDENCE: Cavaliers star LeBron James is “all in” with Hillary Clinton to be the 45th president of the United States.
James made his endorsement of Clinton in an op-ed published in Monday’s Beacon Journal and a Business Insider article released online on Sunday.
The Cavaliers held their annual Wine & Gold Scrimmage on Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena, and then returned to practice on Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts. After practice, James discussed why he plans to vote for Clinton, and why he feels the Democrat is the best candidate to succeed President Barack Obama.
“The main thing is going back into the communities and giving our world a better future,” James said. “Our kids are our future, and I believe Barack started it and I believe that Hillary will continue it.
“I am all about community. It starts from the ground up — if we can continue to get back into the communities and do the things that we need to do to help these kids understand that they are our future and know that they have a helping hand.”
James was vocal in his support of Obama when Obama defeated John McCain in 2008 to become the nation’s 44th president. James and musical artist Jay-Z held a rally that year at Quicken Loans Arena to encourage people to vote for Obama.
“We have become really good friends and from day one I have always liked his vision, especially from a community standpoint,” James said of Obama. “I believe Hillary can continue that legacy that Barack has done for over the last eight years. Obviously, you guys know how important my community service is, especially in my hometown.”
Clinton, locked in a tight contest with Republican Donald Trump for Ohio’s 18 electoral votes, visited James’ hometown of Akron for a rally on Monday.
James said his obligations to the Cavs kept him from attending, but that he might appear with Clinton in the future.
“Because we have two practices today, I won’t be able to attend that, but we have been in communication about doing something,” James said. “We just have to figure it out.”
James acknowledged Monday that he watched the first debate last week. When asked what he thought about it, he said with a smile, “I am endorsing Hillary, so that’s what I thought about it.”
James later added, “I’m not into politics, but I know what I stand by.”
James, a two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat who led the Cavs to their first NBA title last season, is quite comfortable making announcements using the written word. Prior to his declaration of support for Clinton, James announced he was leaving Miami and returning to Cleveland with a story that he co-wrote for Sports Illustrated.
“Anytime I do something, obviously I like to put it in writing form where it is not interpreted the wrong way,” James said. “It can’t be uninterrupted. Those are my words, and there is no way you can depict it. Those are my words, and those are my feelings. I put it in writing.”
Michael Beaven can be reached at 330-996-3829 or mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the #ABJVarsity high school blog at www.ohio.com/preps. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.