The Democratic Nominee needs Sharpton

[vision]

Whoever wins the nomination, if it isn't Sharton, needs to hire Al as a speech writer.

Although I favor Kucinich I have to say that there are few politicans that can go head to head with Sharpton. He has an excellant way with words and he proves it whenever he shows up.

Al has enough baggage that I don't think that he will get the nomination but he needs to be kept on as an "idea man" and a speech coach/ writer. I would love to have Kucinich's fire and Liberal ideas combined with the polish that few but Sharpton can provide.

[jenk]

1. we need Sharptons fire, but there's a 0% chance he'll be on the ticket

and that's a good thing

as speech writer, why not? He can add a lot of wit and humor

[dansolo]

2. What we need most from Sharpton

Is for him to stand behind the Democratic candidate, whoever it ends up being, and continuing to work on getting minorities to vote.

[RichM]

5. The question immediately poses itself: Why should Sharpton serve the

Democratic candidate, necessarily? It's not his purpose or responsibility on Earth to serve Democrats -- especially if the ticket turns out to be a few wealthy Establishment white men. Only if it's a strongly progressive ticket, is there any reason at all to think that Sharpton would really gain anything by serving it.

[RichM]

3. I think Al is terrific, & know what you mean. But hiring him as a speech

writer or coach would NOT really produce the benefit that you're reaching for here. These things Al says are great -- but might not look so great on paper, or sound so great coming out of someone else's mouth. You have to be him to say these things, & he has to be speaking for himself, for it all to work.

I personally would be deliriously happy to see him on the ticket. I realize this is not within the realm of the possible, anytime soon -- but the idea of a Kucinich/Sharpton ticket is a very commendable fantasy. The fact that it has to be a fantasy is to the discredit of the Democratic Party, & of the American public. Both could do far worse -- & probably will.

[vision]

7. I think he would be a good coach

Of course there are some things that Al can say that would not work for others to say but Al could teach DK to polish his style. I love what DK is saying and I think on the whole his speaking is passionate and well-spoken But there are times he needs a little polish. In this media age it doesn't hurt to be little slick :) Look at DK's recent haircut, that didn't hurt him but it did smooth out some rough edges.

That is what I think that Al could bring to DK in particular. I agree though that a Kucinich/Sharpton ticket would be ideal.

[cthrumatrix]

4. al has been a joy to watch this entire time....truth is truth ...he and DK

seem to be the most spirited

[hexola]

6. He has the most memorable line so far...

The only thing said by any candidate that has really stuck in my head is:

"It's about time the Christian Right met the right Christians..."

[poskonig]

9. I personally like his "burning Bush" response

to Lieberman's nonsense about the Wilderness.

[eileen from OH]

8. Whoa, I disagree. . .

Much has been made of Sharpton's "baggage" i.e., the Tawana Brawley scam. What has not been disclosed (except on rightie web sites) is that he was not only unrepentant for that entire thing, but he ruined the life of a totally innocent man, Steve Pagones. I wish I had somewhere to reference, besides the aforementioned rightie web sites, who of course, go way over the top. But most of the mainstream media coverage is gone now, as this was years ago. Crux is - Sharpton, even after irrefutable evidence that Brawley made the whole thing up, CONTINUED to lie, defame, and slander Steve Pagones, a prosecutor who Sharpton disliked. Pagones sued and won, but only was able to collect after Sharpton's supporters finally paid up for him.

I appreciate the entertainment value of Sharpton as much as anyone, but please do not think that he brings anything of value to the Dems. He's an egotistical, arrogant, opportunistic jerk, even if he is good with a comeback.

Eileeen from OH

[quinnox]

10. No they don't

Sharpton said he is staying until the end of the primaries anyway today, he said it in no uncertain terms. And the problem with hiring him on to a campaign is all the baggage he would bring to it, it would be a negative for whoever hired him. He won't be a speech writer for any candidate, I'm certain of that.