Cavaliers F LEBRON JAMES' endorsement of Democratic Presidential candidate HILLARY CLINTON "could carry great weight," according to Donnovan Bennett of SPORTSNET.ca. Under the header, "LeBron Wielding Great Power With Clinton Endorsement," Bennett notes Ohio is an "important swing state in the presidential election, and its 18 electoral votes could make a huge difference in the election." James' endorsement is "particularly significant because of the power he wields in the state." He is a "living icon in Ohio for winning its first major pro sports championship in 52 years." On the heels of "returning home and bringing not just hope but industry with him, no single person is more recognizable within that community." The support for Clinton also comes at "complete odds [with] the political inclinations" of Cavaliers Owner DAN GILBERT (SPORTSNET.ca, 10/3). Several late-night talk show hosts had some fun with the news. TBS’ Conan O’Brien said James' endorsement will help Clinton "win Ohio and lose Florida” (“Conan,” TBS, 10/4). Meanwhile, NBC’s Jimmy Fallon joked, “LeBron says he and Hillary are all about the same thing: Taking forever to finally win something” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 10/3).
NOT TAKING CREDIT: Bedrock Detroit Dir of Communications WHITNEY EICHINGER, a Gilbert spokesperson, yesterday said that he was "not the host of a private fund-raiser" for Republican Presidential candidate DONALD TRUMP in Detroit last week. Eichinger said that the Friday event inside the Chrysler House was "hosted by the Republican National Committee, which paid to rent the space" (DETROIT FREE-PRESS, 10/4).
