After his bowling fiasco (been there, done that, looks easy, isn’t) this is a serious question. We know that he plays a lot of basketball. He was reported by ex-Rep. Harold Ford from Tennessee to be between 6’2“ and 6’3”.

But can he dunk the basketball?

The reason that I think that this is such an important question is this: I don’t think it’s possible for the first presidential candidate who can dunk the ball to lose the nomination or the general election. It’s just too cool.

This would be like Clint Eastwood, but without the baggage of actually killing people. Obama wouldn’t have to resort to military activity to stare down other world leaders. They can’t dunk. The dunk would be a powerful weapon in the battle of diplomacy and winning popular appeal abroad.

I can see a day when any presidential candidate would be required to dunk, or putt very well, sinking some long ones, or in some way show athletic expertise. It’s refreshing and encouraging, and by God, it just says something about you as a person.

As an Obama supporter, I hope Barack can at least hit some threes while campaigning in Philly.

Chip Shirley

Athens