Sharpton Rips Obama, Keeps Endorsement On Hold

[Quixote1818]

CBS) NEW YORK With the race for the Democratic presidential nomination already in high gear, the Reverend Al Sharpton jumped into the fray today with some tough criticism for Senator Barack Obama. The outspoken reverend offered the harsh comments to Obama just as he looked to build support for his candidacy in the black community.

"Why shouldn't the black community ask questions? Are we now being told, 'You all just shut up?'" Sharpton told CBS 2's Marcia Kramer Monday. "Senator Obama and I agree that the war is wrong, but then I want to know why he went to Connecticut and helped Lieberman, the biggest supporter of the war."

Sharpton also questioned why Obama supports "tort reform, which hurts police brutality victims."

More: http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_071165711.html

[Colobo]

1. Sharpton is Clinton's lapdog

[OwnedByFerrets]

4. Those are legitimate questions..........

Has Obama answered these questions?

[aquart]

5. What a condescending thing to say.

And, just possibly, racist. But we won't go there. Yet.

[Colobo]

10. I'm darker than Sharpton, so let's not go there

[splat]

8. Are you Obama's lapdog? Is that your synonym for supporter?

Cut the fur.

[politicasista]

13. He doesn't sound like one on the Tom Joyner Morning Show

As a matter of fact, his first commentary sounded like he didn't care for the Clintons. He mentions Hillary a lot too. I have never heard him say antything negative about Obama.

[misanthrope]

25. The criticism of Lieberman...

...and the Iraq War don't make it sound that way. Some of those same criticisms could be directed at Hillary to greater and lesser extents.

[Clark2008]

2. Well, he does have a point.

[aquart]

6. I'd like answers to that.

What on god's earth would make him support tort reform and Lieberman?

[loudsue]

29. Obama owes his mentoring to the DLC/NDN

And both of those groups (which are made up of all the same corporate people) support LIEberman, because he is, by all counts, mostly a republican (the new term is "conservative democrat").

I like Obama....I read both of his books. But he sure has a few mighty conservative ideas swimming around in his naive little brain.

:kick::kick:

[kirby]

3. Sounds reasonable to me...

Ask the tough questions of the candidates and dont let anyone take your vote for granted.

[MadMaddie]

7. Unfortunately for Obama....Sharpton is right...

Lieberwhore sure as hell doesn't respect the miniority community, he has sold out at every chance that has come his way.

To support Lieberwhore kind of brings in a question of judgement doesn't it? If Obama wanted real change why would he support Lieberwhore?

[Nedsdag]

9. Al Sharpton is jealous!

No other black politicians should get any more attention than him!

[Colobo]

11. I apologize for my previous comment about Sharpton

[Lena inRI]

12. Yes indeed, Reverend, DO ASK THESE QUESTIONS!

In fact, here are my own you may add:

1--Why, out of all possible Senate mentors, why oh why did you select LIE-BERMAN and not FEINGOLD if you are against the war?

2--Are you getting campaign financing from AIPAC? How much?

I suspect that ONE FOLLOWS THE OTHER in any order. So, no way am I SOLD ON Obama on just these discordant questions alone.

Reverend Sharpton. . .follow the money. . .follow the money to get your answers.
:smoke: :smoke: :smoke: :smoke: :smoke:

[Nedsdag]

14. Why you can do the same with Rev. Sharpton

Where was he getting his money from? Oh, yes! That's right! Republicans! Conservative Republicans!

Except Al won't tell you. I just did.

[Horse with no Name]

16. Sure would appreciate some links

Cause otherwise I might suppose you just pulled it out of your ass and that isn't a legit source on DU.

[Nedsdag]

22. Your wish is my command.

http://dir.salon.com/story/opinion/conason/2004/02/03/sharpton/index.html

[Horse with no Name]

24. Anything substantial? That is a hit piece

filled with innuendo but no real proof.

[Nedsdag]

26. Try this.

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0405,barrett,50745,1.html

This isn't innuendo.

[rebel with a cause]

27. Well, Sharpton did follow the money in 2004 and it led him to the republicans.

As for why Barack endorsed lieberman in 2006, it was because lieberman had helped him when he was new in the Senate and he felt obligated to return the favor. Did I agree with him doing this? No, I did not and it made me very angry. I, on the other hand told him, his representative that I got on the phone, how I felt about it.

I am not going to bad mouth Mr. Sharpton, but I have reasons why I could. These reasons go back as far as the seventies when I lived in NYC to 2004. There were times when I enjoyed Mr. Sharpton's wit and his courage to say things that others did not, but that does not mean that I trust him. Sorry, nothing personal but if having to chose, I of course chose Barack.

[parasim]

15. I wonder who else Sharpton is considering then...

Sounds like he's trying dissuade folks from Obama. Then who is he going to try to persuade folks toward?

Who does he think will be the best candidate for the people in which he has influence?


on edit: spelling

[Colobo]

18. That's what I'm saying...

[Horse with no Name]

19. Al doesn't do the DLC thing

and it is fairly racist to assume that he will back Obama simply because he is also black.
I'd bet Sharpton is leaning towards a more populist candidate like Edwards.

[Laughing Mirror]

32. Yes, Edwards

There was a hint in something Sharpton said about Edwards a few weeks ago that made me think that's who he would be endorsing.

[parasim]

34. Certainly you're not implying that my question was racist...

... because it wasn't. and if I gave you that impression, I apologize.

I certainly do hope that Sharpton endorses someone he would want to become president not simply because they were black or not.

I'm just wondering who else he is considering. I personally really like Al Sharpton.

[Canuckistanian]

17. The RW shows are having a field day with this one.

I'm beginning to think that Sharpton is a loose cannon, despite his intentions.

If you can't disagree quietly and respectfully with your fellow party member then clam up.

[illinoisprogressive]

21. Obama gave Leiberman support in March way before primaries

like the rest of the senate.
He backed lamont after the primaries.
You do back your co worker. when lieberman lost he supported lamont

[Canuckistanian]

23. That was a questionable move on Obama's part.

But he no doubt regrets it now.

I wouldn't hold it against him. Nor should anyone else.

[OwnedByFerrets]

31. Does it really matter what the RW shows do or say? nt

[AlCzervik]

20. I have some issues with Al Sharpton but i think he asked some good questions

and Obama should answer them. Democrats are harder on each other and i think it's probably good training before the big game.

[Nutmegger]

28. Both Clinton and Obama could have given Ned Lamont face.

Instead they didn't. Yeah, Clinton gave him her fancy "adviser" and Obama threw some money but this election needed more than that. Ned Lamont needed the face of the Democratic Party but instead his was tossed aside while LIEberMan lied his ass off and won.

Yes Obama, why did you come out here to the Nutmeg State and support LIARman yet couldn't come out here to support Lamont? I'd like to know.

[Imagevision]

30. Sharpton: controversy does keep one's name in the news... he'll endorse when the time calls for it..

[a kennedy]

33. I was under the impression Reverend Al was going to run himself.....

and the RW spin was that's why he was poking at Obama because he wasn't top African American contender anymore, kinda like taking a back seat to Obama now. :shrug: