Steve Blake and Ike Diogu

Two Blazers blow a layup.

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Blake (L) & Diogu (R)

We thought the all-time low for athletic idiocy in an election came with former Boston Celtic Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell. The now-retired Maxwell, who is African-American, was asked years ago how he could support the re-election in his North Carolina home of racist Sen. Jesse Helms. Maxwell’s tone-deaf answer: that he was voting for the tax-hating Helms because Maxwell made “a lot more scratch than most of the brothers.”

Stupid? Yes. Un-toppable? Nope.

Last week when Oregonian reporter Jason Quick asked Trail Blazers players whom they were supporting for president, guard Steve Blake and forward Ike Diogu said they weren’t planning to vote.

Diogu said it was for “personal reasons,” Quick wrote, and “Blake said he has never voted, yet will support whomever wins.”

(Brandon Roy also told Quick he wouldn’t vote, but later said that he changed his mind after talking to his family. Roy wouldn’t say who he voted for.)

Is it really that hard, guys? We don’t expect everybody to come out like Greg Oden and actually campaign, as Oden did for Barack Obama. But the choice was clear between Obama and John McCain. And voting couldn’t be easier. Hell, the secretary of state’s office reported at least 81 percent of those registered in Oregon mailed in their ballots.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for the Blazers confirmed Blake and Diogu still weren’t voting.

By deciding to sit out the election, Blake and Diogu did what would be unthinkable to them as NBA players: They passed up an easy shot.

11.05.2008 at 08:36 Reply

josh

Really? Those are your Rogues? It must of been a slow week at the Rogue desk. Just because you and I see this as the most important election of our lifetime, it doesn't mean others do.

Remember the old Barkley ad, "I am not a role model?" Well, these two are not role models either. We have the right to vote or not vote. I made it to the poles, just as most did. Honestly, who cares if an athlete does or doesn't vote? I don't and neither should anyone else.

11.05.2008 at 11:19 Reply

Betty

Seriously. Voting is a right and some people choose to exercise their individual, constitutionally guaranteed right by not voting. I have the constitutional right to bear arms and the right to have an abortion, but I do not exercise those rights because that's my choice. If someone doesn't want to vote, that's their choice. While some may think it criminal, no state has gone that far yet. Sheesh!

11.05.2008 at 01:19 Reply

Scootboy

Ike and Steve, I don't know you two, but I presume you're good citizens, other than not voting. But I can't believe you don't give a sh_t about our noble country invading other countries that have done us no harm, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people and the dislocation of 4 million people, at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars.

This is a direct result of a people who did not care enough to vote and prevent those politicians getting into office. The message you are sending to some impressionable fans is, "I'm OK with not caring". People, especially the young ones, will be influenced by what you do and say, because of your wide exposure in the local media. Think about it.

11.06.2008 at 11:56 Reply

Kira

Last week an eyesore, now someone who didn't vote. I shudder at the implications.

Truly stimulating. I thank you for the formidable rogue alerts.

11.06.2008 at 07:02 Reply

It sounds like any celebrity who doesn't support WW politics and do it with enthusiasm is rogue worthy. Really? That's just goddamn ridiculous.

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Steve Blake and Ike Diogu

Two Blazers blow a layup.