He was a voice that resonated at street level at the precise cultural moment when rap music was breaking through to the mainstream. Yet, even then, he exhibited a greater potential for growth than any other athlete on the public scene. He was constantly answering questions with that stunning forthrightness and questioning answers.
Most people don t question what they re told.
That was clear in 1988 when he told his mother he was considering voting for George Bush. In 1992 Barkley was traded to Phoenix, where he d star for the Suns and where he would enter his Republican makeover phase. He also grew close to Rush Limbaugh and Dan Quayle, dined with Clarence Thomas, and endorsed Steve Forbes in the presidential primary. Exit polls showed that his imprimatur sealed Forbes win. And now here he is, in Houston, playing for one last chance at a championship while gearing up for his posthoops political career.