Sharpton Considers Running for President

[Freddie Stubbs]

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Civil rights activist Al Sharpton said Monday he is seriously considering a run for president. "I don't hear any reason not to," Sharpton, 52, said in an interview during an urban affairs conference sponsored by another civil rights leader, the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

"If we're talking about the urban agenda, can you tell me anybody else in the field who's representing that right now?" Sharpton asked. "We clearly have a reason to run, and whether we do it or not we'll see over the next couple of months."

Sharpton mounted a long-shot bid for the White House in 2004, in which his wit and fiery denunciation of President Bush often enlivened Democratic primary debates. He dropped out of the race after losing several state primaries and endorsed the eventual nominee, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.

Despite widespread interest in the likely candidacy of another influential black Democrat, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, Sharpton said he's heard little substantive discussion of issues that might influence his decision about running.

more: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2007/01/09/ap/headlines/d8mhhab80.txt

[Waya]

1. Hey, from what I'm seeing........

....we could do a hell of a lot worse. Even tho I think his chances are slim to none.

[applegrove]

2. For sure he brings up important issues so they will not be lost..but

last time he ran - he was asking Dean embarrassing/misleading questions that were given to him by his GOP backers. If Sharpton has learnt from this...I hope...then welcome to the race.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Has he expressed any regret or remorse for being a tool of GOP operatives?

If not, why should we expect anything other than more of the same?

[skipos]

4. Heck, he did better than Kucinich in 2004. Too bad they will just split the anti-hillary vote.

nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. Doing better than Kucinich isn't exactly bragging rights

[robcon]

5. I disagree...

We could NOT do a lot worse. A demagogue, a hustler, and a scofflaw.

A president? God forbid.

I would rather have Bush than Sharpton. Literally.

[olddad56]

6. You would never have Sharpton as a president. It is just a platform

to be heard from.

[zonkers]

8. AL will win it all. He'll get the James Brown sympathy vote.

[goclark]

7. He is talking about "running" and he has every right to do so

In fact, he raised the level of debate in the 2004 election and was a STAR!

"If we're talking about the URBAN AGENDA, can you tell me anybody else in the field who's representing that right now?" Sharpton asked. "We clearly have a reason to run, and whether we do it or not we'll see over the next couple of months."

Note the words "URBAN AGENDA," those words are there for a reason.

What he is saying is that he wants to enhance the discussion when it comes to issues such as CRIME,THE HOMELESS,SOCIAL SECURITY,MEDICARE,ELECTION FRAUD,IMMIGRATION and WORLD ISSUES as well.

Just in case anyone may think those are purely African American issues, think again. The FRAUD alone in the last two Presidential Elections deeply crushed ALL of us.

He is well informed and is a Progressive Democrat.
I recall in 2004, DU was begging Al Sharpton to "bring out the Black Vote."

Well, one sure way to get African Americans to the polls is to let us see Al Sharpton articulate our message as well as the message of Progressive Democrats everywhere.

People of good will, it is important, IMO, that we welcome him to the Table.

PS/ I see him entering the race so that his voice will be heard for another reason.
Just because OBAMA may enter the race, there should be more than enough room for two African Americans to run.

Carol M-B ran in the last election and she was a fine spokesperson.

It has never been questioned that all the White MEN in the world can run if they want to, Al Sharpton can and should run. During the last debates, he kept everyone awake when boring Joey went on and on and on.

[pennylane100]

9. Even Al Sharpton knows he is not going to win

but he will help keep the dialog focused on problems affecting the poor and disadvantaged. The politicians hoping to win will not touch a lot of subjects for fear of alienating potential voters. He has no such qualms as all he wants is a public forum.

I would never vote for him but I look forward to what he will ad to the campaign and hope that he uses this opportunity to call out the candidates who voted for the war and the supporters of the DLC.

[jsamuel]

11. throw your support behind Kucinich

[customerserviceguy]

12. I see this as a power struggle

to attain the leadership of the black community. Sharpton sees Obama coming up fast behind him, and he knows the next two years will give the Senator a bully platform to seize the mantle of "He Speaks for American Blacks" when the news media wants to trot someone out.

[Cuauhtla]

15. Not for me, thanks

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

Sharpton's history tends to discredit the Democratic Party with those racial & ethnic identity groups (whites, Jews, Koreans) he has slurred, and with all who hope for a more complex analysis of social ills. I think his candidacy better serves the Republicans, who additionally can present him as representative of liberals and Democrats.

I've been reading Obama's latest book. In contrast to Bush- or Sharpton- it is so nice to hear a rational, compassionate, nuanced, self-questioning adult voice not prone to mere grandstanding and sloganeering. At this point I'm hopeful that Obama or Edwards will be the Democratic Presidential candidate. I know Sharpton's a non-starter, but if somehow, incredibly, he got the nomination, I wouldn't vote for him.

[politicasista]

13. The more the better

We need some informative debate in 08.

[AtomicKitten]

14. I really enjoyed his participation in the debates.

[zann725]

19. Here too! Not just the debates. His "truthiness" during campaign opened dialogue

of all candidates. Sharpton is a "breath of fresh air", a sharp wit, calling it-as-he-sees-it...who will add energy and perspective to the '08 race that'll "kick things up a notch". A 'stretch' challenging all.

[Ninja Jordan]

16. He makes Dems look like a joke. Stay home, Al.

[Megahurtz]

17. Forget It, Dude! n/t

[annabanana]

18. Oh why the hell not. . . He's always good for a juicy soundbite...

He's probably the most interesting candidate in the field.. .Makes the early debates worth watching, IMHO.