Golf: Nicklaus clubs away question about his support for Trump

By Andrew Both

 

Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - November 12, 2020 Honorary starter Jack Nicklaus reacts during the ceremonial tee shot as Gary Player looks on REUTERS/Mike Segar

 

AUGUSTA, Ga. (Reuters) - Two weeks after wading into turbulent political waters by publicly supporting President Donald Trump in the U.S. election and warning the country against turning "socialist", Jack Nicklaus clubbed away a question about the matter on Thursday.

 

The 80-year-old Nicklaus, the most prolific major winner of all-time with 18 titles in the four biggest championships, had earlier hit the ceremonial first tee shot with fellow great Gary Player at the Masters at Augusta National.

 

At a later news conference, it did not take long for a reporter to raise the issue of Nicklaus' support for Trump.

 

Most major news organizations have declared Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden the winner of the election, but Trump has yet to concede.

 

The President has instead brought a flurry of lawsuits in close-run states to try to back his unsupported claims of widespread electoral fraud.

 

"You are known as the ultimate gracious sportsman in the game of golf and really throughout sports... the way you've handled victory and defeat and the like," the reporter said.

 

"I'm just curious, what is your advice to President Trump on how to accept defeat?"

 

A stony-faced Nicklaus shut down the questioner with a short, terse reply.

 

"I think I've said enough about that. I don't think this is the place for politics," he said, clearly intent on not giving the issue any further oxygen.

 

Nicklaus has long been known for his generally conservative political views, par for the course for American golfers of his generation, but has rarely gone out of his way to publicise them, until now that is.

 

On Oct. 28, Nicklaus posted an open letter to his 481,000 Twitter followers with his thoughts on the Nov. 3 vote.

 

"If we want to continue to have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream, and not evolve into a socialist America and have the government run your life, then I strongly recommend you consider Donald J. Trump for another 4 years," Nicklaus wrote.

 

"You might not like the way our President says or tweets some things -- and trust me, I have told him that! -- but I have learned to look past that and focus on what he's tried to accomplish."

 

(Reporting by Andrew Both; Editing by Ken Ferris)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-13

 

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What a pity that so many folks don't open their thinking, don't do a bit of quick research and learn more about sharing and the community supporting each other. It's called civil society.

 

Unfortunately still so many folks believing that socialism is communism and is evil. 

3 minutes ago, scorecard said:

What a pity that so many folks don't open their thinking, don't do a bit of quick research and learn more about sharing and the community supporting each other. It's called civil society.

 

Unfortunately still so many folks believing that socialism is communism and is evil. 

American Farmers declined to comment..check mailboxes again for 3rd time for free money(in exchange 4 vote)

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

What a pity that so many folks don't open their thinking, don't do a bit of quick research and learn more about sharing and the community supporting each other. It's called civil society.

 

Unfortunately still so many folks believing that socialism is communism and is evil. 

Well, it isn't altogether surprising. The extreme left overlaps with communism just as the the far right overlaps with neo nazi etc. The reason that 'evil' comes into it is probably because the mainstream media highlights those extremes more than they do softer politics. What was that quote by the evil brother in the movie 'Megiddo'; 'Wonderful invention, television, does most of my work for me'.

I've been getting texts and comments in person assuming, I guess because I'm educated and from CA, I must be a Trump hater. Here in Bangkok I can safely correct that assumption. And the fact is that I didn't much care for Trump the man but identified with the goals of his administration. But if I were say even that on Facebook I would likely be called a Nazi and my place of business in CA operated by my son would probably be in danger of destruction. If you have anything then there is really no freedom of opinion. And people wonder why the truly rich keep to themselves.

12 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

American Farmers declined to comment..check mailboxes again for 3rd time for free money(in exchange 4 vote)

Free money coming from ? (In exchange 4 vote.)

 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Free money coming from/offered by ? (In exchange 4 vote.)

 

 

 

 

 

Wise man Nicklaus, best thing he's ever said