Sharpton Considers Running for President

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/AP: Sharpton Considers Running for President
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 8, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- 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.''...

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.

''Right now we're hearing a lot of media razzle dazzle,'' Sharpton said. ''I'm not hearing a lot of meat, or a lot of content. I think when the meat hits the fire, we'll find out if it's just fat or if there's some real meat there.''

Sharpton said the candidate who impressed him most so far was former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who has made poverty the central issue of his campaign....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Sharpton-2008.html

[napi21]

1. Ilove Al's witand speaking ability, butI honestly don't think he has

a chance of winning. I love to hear him debate though, sohe could make for some interesting primaries.

[fuzzyball]

2. Yes, with him on the podium keeps me awake LOL

[Sherman A1]

3. Agreed

I always enjoy Al, not a hope in H..... of winning or really doing much, but he brings another voice to the debate and that is a good thing!

[salin]

6. I don't think *he* thinks he has a chance -

its about being on the podium - pushing urban and poverty issues into the debate.

And about Al, himself, he seems to rather enjoys bits of spotlight.

[jarab]

4. ''I don't hear any reason not to,'' - is not a good reason to run. eom

...O...

[TomClash]

5. An indecent man

Starting from his school daze . . . through Tawana Brawley . . . and right up to the present. :puke:

[mrgorth]

7. Jesus Christ Al,

Spare us your ego exercise. Obama can push urban issues just fine.

[bigdarryl]

8. this is a trick to keep Obama from getting most of the African American votes...

Sharpton knows damn well he can't win his real intention is to help Hillary get the nomination. so by running he splits the black vote.I wouldn't be surprise if Hillary and Sharpton have already set this up.

[Connie_Corleone]

10. I wouldn't be surprised either.

But, I think it'll backfire. Most black people know Sharpton doesn't stand a chance in hell of winning the nomination.

[msanthrope]

9. Drop Dead Al. Your Last Campaign was Funded By Repukes......

I'm betting this one won't be any different.....

Sleeping With the GOP
A Bush Covert Operative Takes Over Al Sharpton's Campaign

by Wayne Barrett with special reporting by Adam Hutton and Christine Lagorio
February 5th, 2004 8:20 AM

Roger Stone, the longtime Republican dirty-tricks operative who led the mob that shut down the Miami-Dade County recount and helped make George W. Bush president in 2000, is financing, staffing, and orchestrating the presidential campaign of Reverend Al Sharpton.

Though Stone and Sharpton have tried to reduce their alliance to a curiosity, suggesting that all they do is talk occasionally, a Voice investigation has documented an extraordinary array of connections. Stone played a pivotal role in putting together Sharpton's pending application for federal matching funds, getting dollars in critical states from family members and political allies at odds with everything Sharpton represents. He's also helped stack the campaign with a half-dozen incongruous top aides who've worked for him in prior campaigns. He's even boasted about engineering six-figure loans to Sharpton's National Action Network (NAN) and allowing Sharpton to use his credit card to cover thousands in NAN costs—neither of which he could legally do for the campaign. In a wide-ranging Voice interview Sunday, Stone confirmed his matching-fund and staffing roles, but refused to comment on the NAN subsidies.


More at link---
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0405,barrett,50745,1.html

[KoKo]

11. Sharpton knows how to keep issues that matter to millions of Americans

in the forefront. He cuts through the crap. He has as much right to run as anyone else.

[mtnsnake]

12. He'll force the heavyweights to talk about subjects they don't want to

Plus he's funnier than hell.