Most political endorsements occur only after a long flirtation between candidate and celebrity, but not so for Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter and basketball great Earvin “Magic” Johnson. When Johnson met Specter, it was support at first sight.
Johnson ran into the senator, who is being challenged by Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak and by Republican Pat Toomey, on the University of Pennsylvania campus recently and after a brief conversation the former Los Angeles Laker decided to introduce and endorse him.
“It was just happenstance,” spokesman Christopher Nicholas told Yeas & Nays. “They met out in the parking lot.” There are no plans for the athlete to tag along with the senator again. But, “certainly if he wants to,” said Nicholas.
