Coach Dean Smith endorses Barack Obama - e-mail here

[1Hippiechick]

Dean still maintains an office part-time here at UNC and, of course, all of us are always thrilled to hear from him. This mass e-mail appeared in my mailbox less than an hour ago. I thought the Carolina/Dean Smith diehards would enjoy reading this e-mail from Coach Smith and his wife, Linnea:

Dear XXXXXX,

Join Dean and Linnea Smith

There is a point in every contest when sitting on the sidelines is not an option. That is why Linnea and I are writing to urge you to join Barack Obama's campaign for President.

There are pivotal moments in history when the right decision by a nation can change its course for the better -- opening up new paths before us and providing future generations with opportunities that we had not thought possible. This coming election provides one of those moments. Linnea and I believe Barack Obama is the right leader at this critical juncture. I have written that when coaching a team, you must be prepared to make changes to meet new challenges and obstacles. We must be prepared to do the same as a nation. Now, it is the United States that needs a change in direction... and a change in leadership.

Join Barack Obama today by volunteering in your corner of North Carolina.

Linnea and I respect all that Senator McCain has done for our country. However, we feel strongly that it is Barack Obama who offers the real leadership our nation needs to tap its potential as a land of opportunity -- even as we face difficult times at home and abroad. Senator Obama is a patriotic American, a committed Christian, a good family man, and a man who shares the bedrock values that most North Carolinians have in common: fairness, hard work, respect for others, and personal responsibility. And he has the vision and judgment to help us push through this period of uncertainty to a time of greater economic stability and greater security from threats abroad.

If you believe America needs to set a new course, then the time to join us is now. If you are already an Obama supporter, please step up to help our campaign. There are only about three weeks left before Election Day, and if we are going to move away from the failed policies of the past, then we need your help now.

So we encourage you to get out there and get involved -- talk to your neighbors and sign up to volunteer today.

Get involved now:

http://nc.barackobama.com/jointhesmiths

And pass this email along to those you think might be interested. This election is too important to stand on the sidelines and watch history pass us by.

Thank you,

Coach Dean Smith and Linnea Smith
Chapel Hill, NC


Donate

Visit: NC.BarackObama.com | Email: [email protected]



Paid for by Obama for America

[GreenInNC]

1. As a UVa. guy

I always disliked Dean Smith but I guess he is redeaming himself, hehe.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Holding the ball for 35 minutes of a 40 min. game with Jordan, Worthy and Sampson on the court...

was unforgiveable, but he's ALWAYS been a good Democrat.

He balances Richard "The King" Petty.

[1Hippiechick]

8. I think that was the beginning of "Four Corners" - always imitated, but never duplicated. LOL n/t

[Captain Hilts]

16. THAT's why they instigated a shot clock! nt

[1Hippiechick]

19. Yepper, it sure was. I thought about that after I responded. BTW,

I was lucky enought to get 2 personally autographed UNC basketballs from the 80's with the ORIGINAL signatures of Jordan, Daughterty,Fox, worthy--the entire team--playes and coaches. Actually got TWO of them for both our sons as keepsakes. Those were the days!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suuy_tgOjo&feature=related

[Captain Hilts]

23. I've always liked Daughterty. nt

[GreenInNC]

12. Terry Holland named his dog Dean

When asked why he said "Because he whines as much as Dean Smith"

[Captain Hilts]

15. Holland was a total wimp! nt

[Thrill]

3. Wow thats a big endorsement for Obama here in NC. Hopefully they do a Chapel Hill rally!!

[Davis_X_Machina]

4. The Dean...

..has been a reliable Dem since Terry Sanford days, at least. Not the first endorsement from him, not by a long chalk.

[ncgrits]

5. Another reason to love the Tar Heels and hate Duke!

Coach K is a big rethug.

[1Hippiechick]

9. Gee, why do I not find that surprising...n/t

[Are_grits_groceries]

11. W is one of Coach K's heroes. nt

[SIMPLYB1980]

6. Good news and very welcome. Go Heels!

[saltpoint]

7. I'm happy to hear Coach Smith's voice raised in praise of Barack Obama

and not least, in a hotly contested North Carolina battleground.

Thank you, Coach Smith.

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. I loathe the Tarheels and Smith in basketball. However,

he has always been very progressive with his views on civil rights. He made Charlie Scott the first black scholarship athlete at UNC.
Scott and Smith took a lot of heat. I will always respect Dean Smith for his political activism.
Scott and Smith gave new look to Tobacco Road
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blackhistory2008/columns/story?id=3268786

[1Hippiechick]

20. You should also be pleased to know that Dean played an active role in MLK, Jr.'s visit to UNC. n/t

[jsmirman]

13. Dean Smith is a Great Man

anyone who doesn't see that is a fool.

And, btw, knowing his politics, there is NO WAY he hasn't held this opinion for some time, but it's cool of him to make it clearly known.

[dajoki]

14. That is a big one...

I imagine that Dean Smith's words still carry alot of weight in NC. And congrats on beating ND on Saturday!!

[Bake]

17. I just sent this to a hardcore Tarheel at my office ...

Waiting for the inevitable response now.

THANKS!!!!!

Bake

[kwolf68]

18. As an NC State alum

Kudos to Dean. Yes, I know NCSU is generally full of nutbag Conservatives, but our own James T. Valvano was also a great Democrat.

[1Hippiechick]

22. The mention of Jimmy V brings tears to my eyes, may he RIP. n/t

[TornadoTN]

21. I was also surprised to see that Joe Paterno is giving generously to Obama

He's always been a rather cordial supporter of the Republicans, but this year he's given money to Obama and not a dime to McCain. As a Penn State Alum, I've always loved JoePa and I still consider him one of the most unselfish people I have ever met. He gives a large portion of his money back to the college each year for grants, scholarships, and special projects.

[Captain Hilts]

24. He's a Rockefeller Republican. No place for them in that tiny tent. nt

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

25. As much as I loathe Dean and the Tar Holes...

kudos to him, but I always knew he and his wife were progressives... And don't bash us of the Duke persuasion... Grant Hill is a big Obama supporter and Reggie Love (he played both basketball and football at Duke) is in Obama's inner circle. I'm sure there are more former Blue Devils who support Obama.

[GreenInNC]

26. A UNJ-Durham fan praising Dean Smith? Be still my heart

A University of New Jersey-Durham fan praising Dean Smith? The times they are a changin' down here in NC, hehe.