Sharpton is kicking ass on Hardball

[spindoctor]

A big hand to the rev.

Matthews got NOTHING on him.
Makes me wonder even more why Kucinich refuses to go on.

[Renew Deal]

1. I saw a black man today that was very proud.

He was proud of Sharpton. We were both going on about how much he liked him. I could see the pride. He also said that he likes Clark.

[WillyBrandt]

4. Sharpton likes Clark

or at least acts like he does. remember the line: "on this stage there are eight professional politicians, an officer, and a gentleman." and of course the sharpton quote i've got below

[Isome]

9. Whoo hoo!

"I saw a black man today that was very proud."

I'm sure it's not often that happens.

"I could see the pride."

Undoubtedly that's more rare than encountering a proud Black man; you actually saw the pride!

[Renew Deal]

14. Don't mix up words.

He was proud of Sharpton. And why shouldn't he be?

[Isome]

17. That's not the point...

The point is the infrequency of your encounters with people of African descent, inferred by the condescending tone of your redundant descriptions of pride, and the unnecessary mention of the man being "black".

As a Democrat, you should be proud that Al is sticking it out in the party to fill the void of quick-witted candidates who can also offer cogent responses on the issues to folks like Matthews. If you are, congrats!

Here's a freebie: I went to a meet-up of Kucinich supporters and most of them were white. As we were talking about his platform and ideals, I could see the pride in their faces. They were just so proud of Dennis.

[Mairead]

27. Well said.

If we're smart enough to want real change, Al and Dennis are the only ones who represent us. And they do represent!

[Renew Deal]

42. Get over yourself

The mention of the man being black is analogous saying the French were proud of their Olympic team. There is pride when people like you succeed. It could be someone from your neighborhood winning a spelling bee, or going to space, or kicking ass in a presidential debate. Of course the Kucinich supporters are proud of him, and why shouldn't they be. Of course blacks were proud of Sharpton, and why shouldn't they be. You need to get over yourself.

[Isome]

44. Awwww!

Don't get huffy because you're challenged on the patronizing overtones of your post. A little introspection won't hurt ya'.

[edzontar]

2. I wish he would just finish Tweety off for good....

Take him on his lap and spank the little twerp till he cries for mercy!!!!

[RapidCreek]

20. I think that might give him a stiffy.

Anne Coulter already does that for him, doesn't she? I mean, you know, when she isn't spanking Mahr? :)

RC

[Dr Fate]

3. I wish the other candidates had just a bit of his sass...

......no one ever seems to ge it anything over him- he never lets his opponent hijack the debate or define the issues...

...I'm glad he's stumping for DEMS and raising issues with his campaign...

[pocoloco]

5. Al did good! His campaign to register new voters is bound to

be productive also!

[Isome]

6. I love both Dennis & Al.

Dennis has his own reasons for avoiding the show. Frankly, I see nothing wrong with refusing to subject oneself to _Tweety's snide asides and combative comments, most of which are made right before a break so the viewing audience at home is left with the impression that the guest didn't have an adequate rebuttal.

You have to be quick on the draw with a sorry SOB like that. I'm watching the rerun of the show and Chris tried to dismiss a comment Al made by calling it "cute". Al swiftly turned it around and reiterated his position even more forcefully, yet he distinctly had to re-modulate his tone of voice from just-this-side of yelling to louder than _Tweety's.

[spindoctor]

10. It was brilliance

Matthews almost got him on the healthcare issue, but Sharpton simply refused to give in. He came out fighting and Matthews had no choice but to smile it off.

He also had his own side remarks that did Matthews in.
"I'm just trying to keep you politically correct, Chris."

I am not in the Sharpton camp, but this man is earning respect across the board.
Even Laura Ingraham admitted tonight that she liked the Reverends one-liners.

I'm just left with an extraordinary good feeling after this show. Courtesy of Reverend Al.

Yay!

[Voltaire99]

22. I found him astonishingly good

I admit Sharpton left me nonplussed years ago, in his wackier days, but he's since acquired real depth. Witty, incisive, convincing, principled, imaginative, and clear - the man rocks.

Matthews, outgunned on more than one occasion, seemed abashed at times, and snivelly when he accused Sharpton of being "cute." Ha; the Rev topped him that time, too.

I felt authentically good, too, after the show, in a way almost no candidate ever leaves me feeling (Kucinich is the exception; Wellstone used to have the magic, too). It's easy to see why Clark likes Sharpton, and it's fun to fantasize about Clark naming him to a post. :-)

[shoopnyc123]

7. Here Here

REV KICKED BOOTY!

[newyawker99]

38. Hi shoopnyc123!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Ellen Forradalom]

8. I bet Sharpton ate Tweety for lunch

[0rganism]

23. Oh he did, he did

I wouldn't have liked to be in Tweety's shoes for that little episode...

[RichM]

11. Well, Al is an absolute MASTER of the medium. DK is not.

Additionally, DK has already suffered outrageous & humiliating treatment from Mathews, has good reason to despise him, & not unreasonably wants to make a point about the conduct of so-called TV "journalists."

If DK had Al's rhetorical skills & overpowering quick wit, he could go on the show & happily kick Matthews' ass. But he doesn't have that particular handy gift - nor does anyone else.

[maggrwaggr]

12. I've never seen Tweety be a bigger a**hole than he was today

Is that guy tweaking? He's on something, even if just Redbulls. He's just a manic asshole lately. The other day whining about the Reagan movie he was so wound up I thought he was gonna burst into tears. Then today he was just shouting at Sharpton, over and over, louder and louder, and not letting the guy talk.

He's a loon.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

13. Sharpton was a straight-shooter in the last debate

He said the US had no business attacking Iraq in the first place. CNNI applied its yellow journalism to his comment, saying Sharpton only made the comment to get an applause, but CNNI has been pushing war with Iraq since Day One, so no big surprise there.

I was happy to hear somebody say, with conviction, that the Bushies have screwed us all by attacking Iraq.

[Uzybone]

15. Matthews is scum

the guy was yelling at Sharpton the entire time. Making all sorts of wild conclusions and misrepresentations.

[spindoctor]

16. Naww

Matthews even admitted to be "behind in points" after the first or second break.

He was visibly amused with Sharpton's performance as well.

Not too many here like the man's style, but it is what it is and he sets the tone on his own show. Sharpton just demonstrated how to handle tough talk show hosts.

Oh man, I would so LOVE to see him debate Bush one on one (especially wearing a teeshirt saying "Where is Bin Laden?"). Our poor President would resign the next day. lol

[Isome]

18. visibly amused ...

I suspect that smile masked real resentment at having been outdone by Sharpton. He couldn't have been amused since the topics and his responses weren't frivolous, but serious political issues.

I don't understand why his appearances in every debate are reduced to "entertainment" or his style mischaracterized as "sass" when his answers are, more often than not, on point. James Carville can be equally as hardhitting and unfearful when up against frothing pundits from across the ideological aisle, yet I've never heard his style or quick wit characterized as "sass". It's an odd phenomenon.

[RapidCreek]

21. well that's just another way of saying

he's a uppity niggan who makes us laugh...don't you know? A smart Democrat with brown skin is entertaining....a smart white one is tenacious and engaging.

Tweetys smile is nothing more than an expression of condescension. Something he has learned from other neo-fascists. Keep your eyes open....the standard response of neo-fascists after getting their asses handed to them, is a vacuous grin....appearing upset would only make clear to the audience their realization that they had.

RC

[CWebster]

37. "Vacuous grin masking resent"

I think you are correct.

Tweety is the ultimate stupid white man from whatever way you view it. That is why he is always propping up and gushing over stupid white men.

We have great medical benefits where I work, but when the subject of nationalized healthcare came up in the 90's, a Republican coworker always used the talking points: "We can't afford it", to which I would respond, "Well, we can afford it for you".

When Sharpton discussed where the funds would come from for a healthcare program, it didn't seem to register with Matthews, as if he was so conditioned to the "we can't afford it" meme, nothing else penetrated.
Questions of affordability never seem to enter the debate when it comes to military adventures or the unaccounted for trillions lost in the black hole of the Pentagon, or the tax breaks and corporate bailouts for the class that has successfully purchased government. Why is it that the richest country in the world can't afford healthcare for its citizens, but every other developed country can? Why is it that the actual citizens of the US are the lowest national priority, expected to do their patriotic duty, consume, provide cannon fodder and not ask for anything on their investment?

[RapidCreek]

45. I kinda wish ole Al woulda smiled at tweety and said....

You done asking the question Chris? Would you like me to answer now? You Sure? Your sure you're done screaming and yelling like a little bitch? I mean if your not I'll give you the floor and you can bust an artery, little fella. (Big Friendly Smile) You're done? OK Chris....We'd get the money for a Single Payer Health Care Plan from the same place we got the 60 billion Bush spent destroying Iraq the 20 billion in grants he wants to rebuild it with and the 9 billion a year we send Israel.....we'd get it from tax revenue Chris....that is where our government gets the money on which it functions....You know that, right Chris? You should have learned that in 8th grade civics class.

The thing is Chris, it's a matter of prioritys....I guess you have to ask yourself....if your kid is sick, should you spend your money on a gun for your pal or to build a house for your neighbor....or should you spend it on a Doctors visit for your kid? You know Chris...I think it is safe to say most Americans would spend their money on a doctors visit for their sick kid before they'd spend it on neighbors and pals. So what's the deal Chris...you don't think that highly of your fellow Americans or am I not understanding you? (Even Bigger Friendlier Smile)

RC

[Voltaire99]

24. Sharpton terrifies Dems

I agree; the "sass" crown is a noxious double standard, rich with the stench of trivialization.

No Republican is afraid of Sharpton: they know suburban white males can be depended upon to discount anything a black politician says.

But the right-leaning centrist Dems are plainly spooked. And not only because Sharpton reminds them of the urban base they must pretend to court once every four years. No, it's deeper than that: Sharpton has both the rhetorical gifts and quick intelligence to out-debate them, argued from a finely articulated liberal philosophy, and (sin of sins!) he's unafraid to mock them for their accomodation of Bush.

They can't wait for him to be sent from the debates!

Stick around, Rev. This party sorely needs ya. So does the nation.

[Egnever]

26. Well i love sharpton but..

He is no threat to anything. He is great when limited to generalities and the feel good catchphrases but as soon as you go for detail he falls apart.

I am extreamly happy that he is in the race as he pushes the general democratic themes forcefully and well. But he is not a serious candidate. Soon as chris asked him where he would get the money for single payer health care or how much it would cost he fell apart.

Keep slaping that donkey Al I love you for it. But dont be confused that he is really adressing anything but the very basics of any position. We definately neeed a refresher in the basics though as a party. Glad Al is there to give it to them.

[Isome]

31. He's not a serious candidate...

Only because white America isn't ready to vote for a Black man for that office. They'll pay lip service to the idea, but now's not the time. If Arnold were running, he'd be given more credit simply for announcing his candidacy than a Black man, even the RW's beloved (now tarnished icon) Colin Powell.

Al's reference to the trillions of dollars of tax revenue lost to corporation tax breaks and avoidance was a generalization. But, at least it was true. I cannot agree that using that generalization is indicative of his not being a "serious candidate", nor of his "falling apart". Far from it. It's far better that he rely on an accurate generalization than an erroneous guesstimate, recklessly uttered to shield himself from the flying spittle of that lisping wise ass Matthews.

He's no threat -- that's both true and false. His ability to hold his own with interviewers is threatening to other candidates, the opposition and interviewers alike. But in the end, the oft denied and deep-seated bigotry in many Americans ensures he's not a threat to garner the Democratic nomination for president. The same admonishment is offered right backatcha': don't be confused.

[OneBlueSky]

19. "yelling at Sharpton the entire time" . . .

hey, that's what Matthews DOES . . . it's the sum and substance of his so-called "show" . . . that's why I don't watch him . . . or any other talking head, for that matter . . . CNN, FAUX, and MSNBC have become nonentities on my remote . . .

[opihimoimoi]

25. Al Kicked butt big time.

Tweety tried his ask 484756101918373645 questions in 45 nano seconds but failed. Al was too Sharp for him.

[Hubert Flottz]

28. I gain more respect for Al Sharpton every time I hear him speak!

He is saying the things that should be said about Bush, when lesser men shake in their special interest boots at the thought of telling the truth in campaign 04!

[0007]

33. I'm telling ya, this guy has my attention

When its his turn to speak. I get ready to listen.

And to think I use to hate this guy in the Tawana Brawley days.

[kaitykaity]

29. Rule #2 violation

2. The subject line of a discussion thread and the entire text of the message which starts the thread may not include profanity, excessive capitalization, or excessive punctuation. Inflammatory rhetoric should also be avoided.

However, since there is a good discussion going,
the moderators will leave the thread open. In the
future, please be more careful to follow the rules
outlined here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=463744

Thanks,


kaitykaity
DU Moderator

[Hubert Flottz]

30. Is there a 15 yard penalty?

Jus kidding, I'm a kidder!

[retread]

32. Please elaborate. I know this isn't the subject of this thread, but

you brought it up. Which of the following is violated?
1. profanity
2. excessive capitalization
3. excessive punctuation
4. inflammatory rhetoric

[thebigidea]

34. and if it's "ass" - then...

can we have a list of other naughty profane words to avoid?

Is it George Carlin's list, or is it amplified?

[Michael Harrington]

36. Did anybody else notice...

...that Tweety (my Mother, who absolutely loathes Matthews, almost split a seam when I relayed that little nickname to her) seemed to have NO idea what a single payer system was? He kept asking Al about it and Sharpton was trying valiantly to make him grasp it, but Chris just kept staring at him as if he was speaking Tagalog. Finally he sputtered out "Oh, like with payroll taxes..." or something like that. This is typical for him, but nonetheless appalling.

Did anybody see him last year, being interviewed on another MSNBC show, trying to claim that Madison and Monroe were Federalists? It was after Clinton had made a statement about how Jefferson had persevered in spite of vicious attacks on him and his successors carried the party's legacy forward. Tweety goes off on a mini rant (he did hedge his bets by saying that he wasn't sure), about how he thought they were Federalists. This is really appalling in a political reporter. It's not an unimportant aspect of history, like the precise sequence of Plantaganet kings, it's pretty damn vital.

I don't usually do things like this, but I had to e-mail his dopey show and correct him. You don't mess with the Virginia dynasty and get away with it.

[CWebster]

35. Aside from his quick wit and intelligence -

Sharpton has the advantage of his booming voice and the oratorary skills of a life-long preacher.

He is the man, and one of the most interesting (and entertaining) things about this Democratic race is the long overdue recognition and appreciation of Al Sharpton's unique contribution.

He is viewed through new eyes.

[AlinPA]

39. Al Sharpton has a handle on all our issues.

I would say perhaps the best. Kerry about the same. Al articulates it better than anyone.

We have good candidates.

[AlinPA]

40. I saw admiration for Al in the eyes of the audience at Harvard.

It was very noticeble. Even one of the conservative questioners from the audience looked like he agreed with Al after asking a question probably prepared by the republican club! I think it was the one about "black leaders".

[Armstead]

41. Sharpton has more depth than most of them

The conventional wisdom is that Sharpton is great at rousing a crowd and tossing out one-liners.

But this guy has depth and intelligence that I never realized before he ran. I saw him on one of Sen. Harkin's one-on-one town meetings in Iowa recently. In that more reflective setting, Sharpton was amazing. He was informed about the issues with a depth of knowledge, and offered p

[Mike_from_NoVa]

43. Getting over Tawana

I'm truly sorry. I can't.

Did Tweety bring up Tawana Brawley? Nope. Know why? I'd bet a bundle that The Rev Al won't consent to any interview unless this is off the table.

Has Sharpton ever apologized for his role in the Tawana Brawley case? If so, is there a link somewhere? I love his rhetoric and the points he brings up, but he has a history that I'm not sure he's ever effectively repudiated. If he can get drawn into such nonsense as a phony rape accusation by a girl who made up some heinous spew to avoid being busted for spending the weekend with her jailbird boyfriend, his judgement is unsound and his leadership is irresponsible. If you think this would continue to be left off the table if he were our nominee in a general election, you have your head in the sand. Is there anything Sharpton could do (besides defiant bluster and/or hoping it never comes up) to overcome this blot on his record?

I dug a little and on his website http://www.al2004.org/news/news11.htm, it says:

When asked by a reporter about his role in the Tawana Brawley non-rape case, he replied: "The next time anybody wants to know about Tawana Brawley, I'm going to ask them: 'Do you ask Teddy Kennedy about Chappaquiddick? Do you ask Hillary Clinton about her husband?'"

What a crap answer - doubly insulting since it trashes fellow Democrats rather than Repubs. When I read that I said to myself "Well FU2 Al".

The Rev Al is a silver tongued devil who says many many great things and I'm glad he's on our side. If you think he can win in a national election, forget black/white, just look at the quality of the decisions he's made in the past and how he's handled past mistakes. He can be the greatest American orator since William Jennings Bryan, but he cannot be accepted as a leader until he admits and atones for his mistakes. That may not even be enough.

The strategic dilemma remains I suppose. Is it better to tolerate his presence in the field to insure his incredible rhetorical skills are wholeheartedly employed for the eventual nominee? Or is it better to get him out of the field now to insure his poor judgement isn't used to indict the whole field with charges of poor Democratic leadership in general? Probably the former, but it's still food for thought.

[Isome]

46. What a crap answer ...

No, it's a great answer!!