Kohl Successfully Courts Yi

Rare photo of Kohl cracking a smile. (Photo/TMJ4)

Wisconsin Sen. Herb Kohl went on a mission to China.

He successfully brokered a deal.

This has nothing to do with his duties as a U.S. senator.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

After Bucks owner Herb Kohl made a trip to Hong Kong to conduct personal negotiations with Yi's representatives, the young Chinese star signed a multiyear deal with the Bucks, ending a saga that began on draft night when he was selected with the sixth overall pick by Milwaukee.

The Bucks announced the signing at 2:15 a.m Milwaukee time (3:15 p.m. in Hong Kong).

Kohl, Bucks general manager Larry Harris and team vice president Ron Walter met with Yi, Chinese Basketball Association officials and Guangdong Tigers owner Chen Haitao on Wednesday in Hong Kong.

"We all anticipate Yi's arrival and welcome him and his family to Milwaukee," Kohl said. "We look forward to a successful relationship for many years to come."

Yi and his representatives initially had balked at signing with the Bucks and requested a trade to another NBA team, preferably one in a major market or with a large Asian American population. Prior to the draft, agent Dan Fegan had warned the Bucks not to select Yi and had not allowed Bucks officials to conduct a private workout of the Chinese player at his Los Angeles training base.

But the Bucks insisted throughout the summer that they did not intend to trade Yi, and their hand was strengthened when they were able to sign their own free agent point guard, Mo Williams, to a six-year, $52 million contract. That lessened the chances they would be inclined to deal Yi, who had gained fame in China for his play with the Guangdong team. He appeared in the last five CBA finals with the Tigers and led them to titles in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

...Earlier this summer, Sen. Kohl wrote a letter inviting Yi, his family and his representatives to visit Milwaukee.

And from Reuters:

Bucks owner Herb Kohl, present at the signing, said he was eager to see Yi in action.

"A-Lian is an extraordinarily fine person and he's a great basketball player and we couldn't be more pleased with having him," said Kohl, using Yi's Chinese nickname.

From TMJ4:

“There has been a genuine excitement throughout our city and state, as well as internationally, following our selection of Yi in the NBA Draft,” Kohl said in a statement.

So Kohl managed to seal the deal with Yi. Quite an accomplishment. Can you feel the excitement?

I can't remember when I've ever seen Kohl this happy. Then again, I don't see him all that much, other than in his campaign commercials.

Too bad Kohl doesn't put as much energy and enthusiasm into his stint as a U.S. senator as he devotes to the Bucks.

For example, Kohl finally got around to updating his website and issuing a formal statement on the resignation of AG Alberto Gonzales.

I am pleased that there will be an opportunity for new leadership at the Justice Department. Attorney General Gonzales has lost the confidence of people all across America and needs to be replaced. It is essential that his successor have more independence from the White House and always put the rule of law before politics.

Speaking of getting one's priorities straight, I get the feeling that Kohl puts the Bucks before his duties to his constituents.

He drags himself to China, yet Kohl has never visited Iraq since the war began, one of eighteen U.S. senators never to do so (as of August 1, 2007).

If Sean Penn and Angelina Jolie can travel to Iraq, I would think that the honorable Sen. Kohl could manage to fit a quick trip there into his schedule.