Continuing his streak of not being afraid to offer an opinion, Charles Barkley weighed in on 2016, expressing interest in possibly supporting a Republican Party-backed candidate.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch, Barkley said that while he has religiously voted for the Democrats, “I like some of the Republicans this time around.”
“I am paying close attention to the political situation,” Barkley said. “I have always voted Democratic. But I like some of the Republicans this time around. I like Chris Christie. I like Jeb Bush. I like those guys.”
Deitsch followed up asking Barkley for his opinion on presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
“Well, I just told you I was thinking about voting Republican,” Barkley said laughing.
The NBA Hall-of-Famer also touched on the recent discussion on vaccines that hit the political world, saying he was “disappointed” in Christie for his answer during his recent excursion to London.
“I was very disappointed in Chris Christie the other day on the measles thing. It is a shame that these guys are afraid of just answering the question and trying to make everyone agree with you.”
“[T]hey answered the question and started getting blowback and criticism and then change up. I’m like, dude, your opinion is just your fucking opinion,” Barkley said. “I don’t understand why you answer a question and think everyone is going to agree with you. You can’t live your life like that.”
Barkley made news late in 2014 for defending Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson and his comments in which he accused “unintelligent,” brainwashed” African-Americans of keeping successful ones down. (RELATED: Charles Barkley: ‘Unintelligent’ Blacks ‘Brainwashed’ To Keep Successful Black Men Down)