Sen. Eddie Goodall will trade his seat in the legislature for basketball tickets.
The Matthews Republican has put his Senate seat up for trade on the popular auction site eBay, in return for tickets to next week's Carolina-Duke game.
"I'm not sure how it works, but I'm just going by what Gov. (Rod) Blagojevich as a guideline," he said, tongue planted in cheek. "He made me aware that these seats are valuable. I don't know whatever happened with that, but it got me thinking maybe my state seat is valuable too."
Goodall went to UNC-Chapel Hill for a year in 1965, transferring to UNC-Charlotte when he didn't make the basketball team. He said he hasn't been to a game against Duke since he slept on the sidewalk overnight that year for tickets.
There are still 2 days and five hours left on the eBay auction, but Goodall was getting worried. He answered a call by immediately asking a reporter if he had tickets to the game.
If he can't trade his Senate seat, the actual chair, two part-time staffers and a volunteer treasurer for tickets, risking fines and prison time, Goodall said he'd have to watch the game from his hotel room in Raleigh after session.
He added that he hoped people understood he was kidding about the whole thing.
"If politicians could laugh at themselves more, people would laugh at them less," he said.
Comments
Humor: A Mirror into One's Soul
February 6, 2009 - 6:51pm — Cicero02There's an old adage that goes: within every joke there is an element of truth. State Senator this isn't funny.
Re: Goodall: Will trade seat for tix
February 6, 2009 - 4:32pm — ThoughtCrimesare you guys trying to prove that libruls have ZERO sense of humor?
Re: Goodall is funny
February 6, 2009 - 4:09pm — Gosh (not verified)Agreed!
Crank calls are funny. Setting up fake accounts on eBay are funny. Making people bid on something they can't possibly win is HILARIOUS.
One problem, it's illegal. HE CAN'T SELL HIS SEAT, OR PRETEND TO, EVEN TO MAKE A POINT. Goodall offered to sell his seat.
Ha, ha. So funny.
I'm also no eBay lawyer, but I doubt the worst campaign gimmick of the cycle is in their business plan.
Sorry to bring up reality, but recession? Hello?
Re: Goodall: Will trade seat for tix
February 6, 2009 - 3:58pm — danmanley2299I think its funny. Anyone that knows Sen. Goodall knows he has a wicked funny sense of humor. He and I often disagree on issues, but have entertaining exchanges about it.
Re: Goodall: Will trade seat for tix
February 6, 2009 - 3:53pm — Gosh (not verified)In my bipartisan effort to reach out and educate people like Goodall.
I agree.
Though, again, it was super funny. I mean write an article about it funny. I mean ha, ha.
Can you save my place in the bread line while I gather myself?
Re: Goodall: Will trade seat for tix
February 6, 2009 - 3:45pm — mattjm321There is no reason to be nasty. Your revenge is nothing more than an empty threat. You are clearly a straight ticket voter and wouldn't vote for him in the first place.
Nice posting Goodall. I'm sure you should be wary of people thinking you are wasting time with jokes, but a little humor is needed.
Re: Goodall: a comedian
February 6, 2009 - 3:39pm — Gosh (not verified)Oh, Goodness, that's funny.
The only thing that makes me happier about the Republican economy right now is Republicans taking jabs at Democrats, and breaking the rules of the Cheney-lauded new yard sale industry of e-Bay to do it.
Good on you Senator! Love the grinning mugshot. I'd book a cruise with you entertaining for sure.
You weren't on my radar before, but now I'll give to anyone that runs against you.