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Barkley, currently a TNT commentator, also mentioned that he said the same thing back in 2017 — and that nothing has changed.

Barkley said both parties “suck” at doing anything for black voters.

“I think all politicians take black folks for granted. They talk to black folks every four years, and that’s about it, and then do nothing about it.”

“Both parties suck in that aspect,” he added.

Barkley thought the debates this week were poorly planned; he didn’t like the format.

“You can’t really judge anybody by seeing them on television, especially when you’ve got 20 people. Nobody gets a word in edgewise. That’s really unfortunate,” he said.

Barkley thought TNT would do a better job with the debates than CNN did.

“We can do a much better job [with the debates], especially CNN,” he said. “We could do a much better job of doing, like, an individual night where we have plenty of time.”

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The NBA legend said the candidates he was leaning toward supporting include either former Obama Cabinet official  Julian Castro or Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana.

He also said he was tired of Democrats constantly trying to paint President Donald Trump as a racist.

“‘I’m leery of calling people ‘racist.’ He says some things that can be construed as ‘racist.’ Some things he’s said are very wrong and flagrant,” Barkley said.

Barkley is a respected voice within the black community and he is absolutely right, in our view: After decades of strong support for the Democratic Party, black Americans have not been elevated.

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They have been promised the moon — but that party never delivers.

Republicans would be smart to try to appeal to black voters with a message that isn’t about giving away free stuff.

Barkley has said more than once now that the Democratic Party has failed black Americans. Maybe, if we’re lucky, that party will start listening.

This piece originally appeared in The Political Insider and is used by permission.

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