Five questions with Don King
| Don King poses with delegates to the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden. |
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CNN's Aaron Brown on the convention's start.
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- After watching the speech by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani from an RNC skybox suite Monday, Boxing promoter Don King told CNN why he hopes President George Bush scores a knockout in November.
CNN: What do you think of the convention so far?
KING: I think it's a great start for a great future for this country for all Americans. I think it established the fact that George Walker Bush is a tough man with a tender heart. His leadership is impeccable and gives comfort to all Americans, friend and foe alike.
CNN: What brings you to the RNC. Is there a particular issue you are here to support? (Special report: America Votes 2004, the Republican convention)
KING: My issue is the inclusiveness of African-Americans who have been excluded. When George Bush says he wants one America he is reaching out to African Americans. He struck a chord that goes to the root of racism by appointing qualified people to top positions. Colin Powell as secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice [as] national security adviser, and in so doing he gave a new sense of dignity to those who have been disenfranchised, who have been left out, giving the very thing we've been seeking for 240 years ... by appointing blacks in important positions. Not that they are toadies or sycophants or Uncle Toms, but qualified people who just happen to be black ... symbolizing ... one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Four more years for George W. Bush.
CNN: Are you a lifelong Republican?
KING: I'm a 'Republicrat.' I'm for whoever's going to be doing something or the upward mobility of America, black and white alike.
CNN: Did you vote for George Bush four years ago?
KING: I think I did. I don't really know. I'll have to go back and check my notes.
CNN: How is politics like boxing?
KING: It's life. It's the ups and downs of life. It's really the essence of what you do in everyday life. George Bush is a fighter, he's a good fighter. His fighting in politics is like the fighting in the ring. They don't give in and they don't give up and they don't quit.