Daily Democrat: A positive discussion about Al Sharpton

[Skinner]

In an effort to provide for some enlightening discussion, rather than partisan flaming, the administrators have decided to post regular threads about the candidates for the Democratic nomination which are reserved for positive discussion only. These threads will be called the "Daily Democrat".

Currently, we intend to post two Daily Democrat discussion threads per day. If a particular thread becomes too long, then the moderators will open additional threads as necessary. These discussion threads will be allowed to stay open until the next two Daily Democrat threads are opened at some point the following day.

THE RULES

The rules for these Daily Democrat candidate threads are as follows. (For the purposes of these rules, the candidate who is the subject of the thread is referred to as the "Daily Democrat".)

1. You are welcome to post anything positive about the Daily Democrat. You can explain why you support that person. You can dispel myths about that candidate. You can discuss that person's positions on various issues. Whatever.

2. You are allowed to favorably compare the Daily Democrat to other candidates, provided that you are not unnecessarily inflammatory or antagonistic to the other candidates.

3. You may not post attacks of any kind against the Daily Democrat. Furthermore, you cannot post criticism and try to pass it off as a compliment ("I enthusiastically support candidate X because he ruined his state's economy!")

4. You may not discuss the supporters of any candidate (that goes for the the Daily Democrat, or any other candidate).

5. Undecided voters are encouraged to ask questions about the Daily Democrat in order to better inform their choice. Note that criticism disguised as a question will not be allowed.

6. You may not start another discussion thread for the purposes of responding to comments made in the "Daily Democrat" thread. Sorry -- you just have to suck it up and let the positive discussion continue uninterrupted.

7. I will not babysit the Daily Democrat thread, because I believe it will not be necessary. It is the responsibility of every member to know and follow the rules. Deliberate disruption of the Daily Democrat thread, or efforts by opponents to influence the Daily Democrat thread, will result in the banning of the individual(s) responsible.

8. I reserve the right to change the rules as necessary to make this work.

TIMING

We will discuss two Daily Democrats per day, and cycle through the list of presidential candidates in modified alphabetical order.

12/04 - Wesley Clark ...... and ... Dennis Kucinich
12/05 - Howard Dean ....... and ... Joe Lieberman
12/06 - John Edwards ...... and ... Carol Moseley Braun
12/07 - Dick Gephardt ..... and ... Al Sharpton
12/08 - John Kerry ........ and ... Wesley Clark
12/09 - Dennis Kucinich ... and ... Howard Dean
12/10 - Joe Lieberman ..... and ... John Edwards
12/11 - Carol Moseley Braun and ... Dick Gephardt
12/12 - Al Sharpton ....... and ... John Kerry
12/13 - Wesley Clark ...... and ... Dennis Kucinich
12/14 - Etc...

LET'S GET STARTED

Here's your chance for some positive discussion of Al Sharpton! Who wants to start it off?

[wryter2000]

1. LOL

I just posted on another thread. Sharpton's answer on separation of church and state was right on. I can't remember the exact term he used, but he came out clearly for not pushing your own religious views on others. Then, there was the classic "God is not a member of the Republican party."

[Ellen Forradalom]

12. Something about the 'right Christians, not the Christian Right'?

Or something like that? A great zinger.

[Fovea]

2. Al Sharpton

Is like the anti Dubya in many ways.
Of all the candidates, I think he seems to best
express the concerns of working America.

Sure, all of them sympathize and are voicing support for working class Americans. But Al Sharpton's experience speaking out for those who do not get the ear of, or respect from, the party in power, is compelling.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I'm not sure I want him as prez

but I love the way he brings important topics to the forefront of any dialogue he participates in.

[DinkyDem]

19. So you'd rather have Bush?

[Rowdyboy]

4. He plays much the same role in the party as

Jesse Jackson. He expresses the feelings of the disenfranchised and those who have largely given up. He's also quick witted and very fast on his feet.

[DinkyDem]

17. Do you want contribute to the problem

of disenfranchisement, or do you want contribute to the solution?

A Vote For Al Sharpton is a vote for justice!

When are Democrats going to stop treating the disenfranchised like just something we can pull out of our bag to get inner-city votes in elections?
When are we Democrats going to actually ENFRANCHISE the disenfranchised?

I SAY 2004 IS THE YEAR! AL SHARPTON IS THE CANDIDATE!

[Zomby Woof]

5. He gives no quarter in the debates!

And he takes none. I love how he says the things many of us are thinking, and always with humor to match the force of his pointed, honest rhetoric.

I'd pay good money to see him onstage against Bush. Oh, would I ever!

[Skwmom]

23. Bush wouldn't know what hit him.

Sharpton would wipe the floor with him.

[JNelson6563]

6. Al Sharpton for Press Secretary

He won't be slappin' that donkey anymore, he'll be slappin' the media ho's instead. What fun that would be!!

Julie

[pistoff democrat]

14. Darn!

I swear this is what I was going to post.

This would be so good I can taste it.

[PretzelWarrior]

7. vivacious. smooth talker. loves walks on the beach

he projects a lot of emotion and enthusiasm, but secretly wants to curl up with a blanket and read a book.

Love his name. Love his hair. He should patent it.

[JasonFromWaltham]

8. Gets me going

Every time I hear him I get all riled up and ready to fight for what I believe in.

[DinkyDem]

18. This is why he's our man for '04

Becasue he inspires people to positive change, not just bitter anger and sour grapes.

[JasonFromWaltham]

29. For me, so does my guy

We can debate the merits of each, but the fact is both inspire, just in different ways. Best of luck to you!

[mmonk]

9. He is stopped by no

conventional restraint other than his own in telling people how it is. He has refreshing wit in making his points without loss of meaning.

[neuvocat]

10. Sharpton has an excellent sense of humor

and a number of other strengths. I'd like to see him in some sort of public office because I know he can help make many positive changes.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. Rev, politico, and truly gifted comedian.... eom

[SEAburb]

13. The Putty Tat caught Tweety the other night

Sharpton was on Hardball Wed night. Matthews started the interview doing the Koppel thing on Al. The you have no money, low poll numbers, no endorsements, why are you still running crap. Al counter the attack well.

Then Tweety changed rears and brought Clinton up, what a surprise. So he asking Al if he part of kabal with Clinton to stop Dean. Al was giving coy answers. Chris finally ask leading question, that was more like a statement, if Sharpton was schemeing with Clinton, because he has so much power and influence. Al jumped on that and said "Wait a minute Chris. You can't have it both ways." In a soft low voice Tweety replyed "Well, I can try."

Just as Chris was getting the last word out they went from a full screen shot of Al to Matthews. There was fully exposed phony Tweety with a child-like, hand caught in the cookie jar look on his face.

I LMAO!

[Skwmom]

26. I think he is could be the left's Rush Limbaugh.

I mean that only in a good way. I think he could be very powerful with his own national radio show.

[DeepModem Mom]

31. He'd be great on radio!

[pistoff democrat]

15. I would like to be friends with him!

He's won my admiration because I believe he never gives up, never gives in and has shown a tremendous capacity for growth throughout his career.

His sense of humor, timing and facial expressions are just priceless!

[DinkyDem]

20. How many other candidates can you honestly say that about?

THIS is what gets people's vote and wins elections!

Someone you would want to have a beer with.
:toast:

Lots of people fell this way about Bush I hear. No one feels that way about Dean though.
EVERYONE feels that way about Sharpton.

[pistoff democrat]

25. Only 2 others:

Edwards and Mosely-Braun.

I think we could double date and have a great time!

[JasonFromWaltham]

30. One other

And I actually have had the chance to meet that other one several times. I even had a lengthy conversation with his wife on Tuesday. I would love to have that experience again.

Just a note to folks on my experience, getting to really talk with a candidate is tough as they are trying to get in touch with as many folks as they can, but look around and see if you can find their wives. Introduce yourself and strike up a conversation. It is a great way to learn about the real man and the first families to be. Very rewarding.

[ellie]

16. I like him because he

speaks like a real, normal person. Not a politician.

[Cheswick2.0]

21. he is refreshing for sure

!

[Skwmom]

22. Sharpton is must watch tv. He is very smart, quick on his feet

and exceptionally articulate.

[no name no slogan]

24. He was brilliant on SNL

He was great as Brian Fellow's brother Ryan during Brian Fellow's Safari Planet (one of my recent favorite SNL bits, BTW). Especially how he was "good with the ladies" when he went clubbing with baby seals and the eskimos (you hadda watch it to "get it").

I also like the fact that he's not afraid to talk seriously about the issues, and knows that it will take broad solutions to fix the problems we have, not esoteric tinkering around the edges like 7/9ths of our candidates insist.

[pistoff democrat]

28. really commenting on both 22 & 24

that's why I'd love to see him be Press Secretary!

[Mairead]

27. If, Goddess forfend, anything should happen to Kucinich...

...then Al has got my vote, check-off or write-in. His reaction to JJJr's endorsement was ...inappropriate... but I'm willing to give him a pass on that.

[AntiCoup2K4]

32. I would really like to see Rev Sharpton remain active in the party..

..it's not realistic for anyone to start off in politics at the top job, but that doesn't mean he can't contribute in other ways. Actually, I think the Press Secretary idea is great. You know that FAUX and Clear Channel will harrass the next President to no end, and it would be great to have someone who could cut them off without being an asshole like Ari F-LIE-scher was.

In any event, Al's a welcome voice in the "new" Democratic party :-)

[goodhue]

33. Sharpton

Is great and deserves big props.