Republican congressional candidate Curt Clawson is telling President Obama that it’s “time to man up” and face him on the basketball court.
Clawson, a former Purdue University basketball player, issued the challenge for a 3-point shooting contest after winning the Republican primary for the nomination to replace former Rep. Trey Radel (R-Fla.).
{mosads}“I am going to challenge you on spending. I am going to challenge you on economic growth,” said Clawson, according to USA Today. “But first, I am going to challenge you on the basketball court. It’s time to man up and accept the 3-point challenge. My house or yours?”
Clawson is the favorite against Democrat April Freeman in the June 24 special election to fill Radel’s seat. Radel was arrested last year for purchasing cocaine from a federal agent.
Obama, an avid basketball fan, frequently plays pickup basketball games with friends and senior administration officials. But his most recent public shooting performances have fostered doubts about the president’s game.
During Monday’s White House Easter Egg Roll, Obama went 1-for-3 from the foul line. The previous year, he turned in a memorably bad 2-for-22 performance.
During his appearance on “Between Two Ferns” with Zach Galifianakis, the comedian kidded the president about his basketball prowess.
“Is it going to be hard in two years when, uh, you’re no longer president, and people will stop letting you win at basketball?” Galifianakis quipped.
“How does it feel having a 3-inch vertical?” Obama shot back.
But Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant told the “Dan Patrick Show” earlier this year that Obama reminded him of prolific NBA scorers like Michael Adams and Nate “Tiny” Archibald.