Rev. Al talks of quitting

[CatWoman]

March 15, 2004 -- The Rev. Al Sharpton will discuss ending his failing presidential campaign with representatives of Democratic nominee John Kerry as soon as today, party insiders told The Post.

The discussion is expected to include a pledge from the Kerry camp that the controversial Sharpton "will play some role" in the Democratic campaign against President Bush - with the exact role to be determined only after Sharpton officially calls it quits.

"The Kerry people are frankly concerned about whether they can trust Sharpton," said a senior New York Democrat familiar with the talks.

http://nypost.com/news/nationalnews/20830.htm

[PeopleForChange]

1. I certainly hope he won't ask us for $$

because his campaign was controlled by Republican shills.

[mac56]

2. Welcome

You're going to back up that claim, aren't you?

[CatWoman]

3. I think he/she is referring to this

Feb. 3, 2004 | In the twilight zone of political chicanery, operatives often cooperate across ideological lines. Whenever their interests coincide, seasoned mischief-makers can set aside superficial disagreements to harass a common enemy. To anyone familiar with the buccaneering careers of Al Sharpton and Roger Stone, their convergence in the 2004 presidential campaign is not quite as "unlikely" as the New York Times suggested in a headline last week. Indeed, the alliance between the conservative consultant and the pompadoured preacher makes perfect sense.

Whatever excuse each man offers to justify their embarrassing embrace, Stone certainly serves the Republican party by sustaining and promoting Sharpton. Ever since the reverend announced his candidacy, right-leaning commentators have gleefully predicted that he will pose "a major threat" to the Democrats in 2004. For Sharpton himself, the attraction of endless publicity (and luxurious lodging) remains irresistible, along with the opportunity to supplant his former mentor Jesse Jackson as black America's political spokesman. The Democratic Party, whose institutions and candidates he has consistently undermined for many years, is merely a convenient vehicle for his advancement.

http://archive.salon.com/opinion/conason/2004/02/03/sharpton/

[Isere]

8. Kerry better tread lightly here...

Sharpton has the potential for being a very loose cannon. He is interested in advancing himself above any other considerations and his record is pretty spotty. I do admire his quick wit and think he can make a contribution, but if I were Kerry I'd be careful.

[Barkley]

4. Typical racist B.S. from the media

"The Kerry people are frankly concerned about whether they can trust Sharpton."

Trust him to do what?

Which Kerry people and why are they mistrustful?

Al has publicly stated that he'll support the nominee.

And the 'controversial' label is really tired.

[stopthegop]

5. I agree...Sharpton is not controversial..

everyone, admit it or not, knows he's a scoundrel/charlatan...no controversy at all...

[CatWoman]

7. now, now

take those sentimentst to GD 2004.

[LoZoccolo]

6. Trust him not to do stuff like...

...what he did to Dean, taking the Confederate flag statement way out of context and making accusations surrounding having no african-american and latino cabinet members in a state that's 97% white with only six positions that were hard to fill due to low pay and weren't without offers to begin with, all the while taking money and advice from a Republican operative to basically be a bull loose in a china shop towards our candidates, making attacks which really have no value in a struggle to achieve real social justice. Stuff like that.

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0405/barrett.php