Kareem Abdul Jabbar has endorsed Hillary Clinton as the best-suited candidate for the White House, saying the former secretary of state embodies both reason and idealism to lead America at a crucial time.
In an op-ed piece in The Washington Post, the basketball icon-turned-cultural expert takes swipes at Republican candidates for presidential election nomination Ted Cruz and Donald Trump for what he calls their “rejection of foundational ideals” of the United States in favor of chaos.
Jabbar, who now regularly writes for major publications, argues in the Post that such politicians add to the problems.
“That’s why electing Clinton is important not just to maintaining the integrity of the United States but also to preventing an international trend that threatens to unleash a triumph of hatred and fear over reason. We are in a defining battle between the resurgence of the irrational, and all the horrors that have historically gone with it — violence, bigotry, fascism — and reason, with all the advances that have accompanied it — justice and freedom for all, regardless of ethnic background, social status, gender or sexual orientation,” writes Jabbar, one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
He expresses liking for Hillary Clinton’s Democratic primary rival Bernie Sanders, and thinks that he will “make a strong ally for Clinton.”
Jabbar also praises Clinton for embracing President Barack Obama’s policies.
“This election truly is a choice between hell and reason, and I want the best, most-qualified candidate to ensure that the United States lands on the right side of that battle. In Clinton we have a proven warrior who has both the commitment and record of accomplishment to lead the fight.”
In his past writings, the NBA superstar has been lambasting Trump, equating his behavior with terrorizing militant organizations.
Last year, Trump retorted to Jabbar’s criticism of his avowed policies, alleging he had no clue about life.
“Now I know why the press always treated you so badly — they couldn’t stand you. The fact is that you don’t have a clue about life and what has to be done to make America great again!” Trump wrote.
Hillary Clinton has also escalated her criticism of Trump’s rhetoric on immigration, security and social issues, which are widely perceived as being against women, Mexican and Muslims.
Both Democratic and Republican candidates are vying for April 19 New York primary with a large number of delegates up for grabs. Clinton and Trump are rated as favorites in several polls.
