NYT: Sharpton plans retribution against blacks who don't endorse him

[pruner]

Sharpton's Support Slips Despite National Attention

By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ
Published: December 12, 2003

On Saturday, he pulled in big ratings as host of "Saturday Night Live." On Tuesday, he drew both applause and laughs in a nationally televised debate. On Wednesday, the day after a rival was endorsed by a former vice president, Al Gore, he sat down in Harlem for a private meeting with a former president, Bill Clinton.

Still, even as the Rev. Al Sharpton raises his national stature by running for the Democratic nomination for president, his political support at home in New York is slipping away, according to Democratic officials and strategists.

Only a handful of senior black elected officials have endorsed him, and many others, like Representative Charles B. Rangel and State Senator David A. Paterson, both of Harlem, have quite prominently endorsed his opponents.

This development has not gone unnoticed: Mr. Sharpton issued a threat this week, making it clear that he intends to put his political organization's machinery to work against the re-election of those local officials who abandoned him.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/12/nyregion/12SHAR.html?ex=1071810000&en=bcd4453562ec2959&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

[Cha]

1. Why am I Not surprised?

he'll only cook his own goose.

[joeybee12]

4. The sooner he melts into oblivion, the better off we'll all be

What a schmuck.

[dreissig]

6. How So?

More anti-Sharpton stuff. I'm not surprised that the Times comes out against Sharpton; it's not a liberal paper.

[joeybee12]

12. He made his name on a big lie--what else has he done?

Still waiting for the apology, Al.

[dreissig]

25. Actually He Didn't

He didn't make his name on a single case, and even it he did, it wouldn't be the Tawana Brawley case.

For argument's sake, if there were a single case that made Sharpton's reputation, it's the Howard Beach case. White thugs "defending" a segregated area of Queens chased a black guy onto the highway where he was killed. The DA declined to prosecute, on the lame grounds that it was a regrettable accident. Actually it was homicide, and Sharpton's organizational skills got the murderers indicted. Were it not for Sharpton's intervention, justice would not have been served.

[coralrf]

2. Why is running against Bush...

sounds like he should be running with him. The man has no chance...I dont see why we spend time on him

[beanball]

23. No chance

you are so right this is still amerikkka.

[Droopy]

3. Houston we have a problem

I saw an earlier thread about Sharpton threatening Dean in a similar manner if Dean is the nominee. I wonder how much pull he has in the black community and how badly this would hurt the eventual nominee if he decided attack him.

[funkyflathead]

5. How much influence does Sharpton have? n/t

[Logansquare]

8. African-American voters are a lot more sophisticated

than the media lets on. The mainstream white press still thinks that specific Black "leaders" can dictate black vote, but I think those days are long gone.

[dreissig]

10. A Lot

I like Al Sharpton. I intend to vote for him in the primary. If anybody's in the Democratic wing of the Democratic party, it's Sharpton. I don't know what Charley Rangel hopes to gain by endorsing Clark, but Sharpton has a lot of support in New York.

[mmonk]

7. What can he do?

He'll harm his own reputation more than anything.

[dreissig]

14. Patronizing Talk

For some reason, white people get very patronizing when they discuss black politicians. As if blacks can't help themselves.

[mmonk]

15. Don't judge me

[dreissig]

20. Nothing Personal About It

When you make patronizing remarks, I judge them, not you.

[mmonk]

26. What's patronizing about it

and who am I patronizing?

[dreissig]

29. Where Do You Get This?

Who are you to decide whether Sharpton is acting in his own interests or not? You're assuming you know better. That's what's patronizing about it.

[mmonk]

31. 1st

I like Al Sharpton. 2nd, I can express myself if I think a candidate is making a mistake. 3rd, I don't even know if the article is accurate.

[mmonk]

49. assumptions

You make alot of them. Your assumption I am white was correct only through chance since you can't see me. Your other assumptions regarding me on my post are based on your own preclusions. "Don't try to describe the ocean if you've never seen it" (line from a Jimmy Buffett song).

[loudnclear]

9. Why is this a "threat" to those who did not endorse him?

What Al is quoted as saying:
"They are going to have to deal with the consequences," he said in an interview. "I intend to hit the ground and mobilize a lot of the masses who will not be sold out."

What the NYTimes said...not Al:
This development has not gone unnoticed: Mr. Sharpton issued a threat this week, making it clear that he intends to put his political organization's machinery to work against the re-election of those local officials who abandoned him.

Where did Al say that he would be working against the re-election of those local officals who abandoned him?



Sounds to me like he is going to mobilize a lot of voters for coiming 2004 election. And he is right, they

[mmonk]

11. So its just media spin then

[joeybee12]

16. Doesn't sound like media spin to me--who are "they" he is referring to?

I think you took the quote out of context--was he or anyone (inc the reporrter) talking about Rangel, et al, and Sharpton said this?

If so, then it's clearly a threat.

[w13rd0]

13. Sharpton has done some good things...

...but he always seems to lose his composure when he's not offered a front row seat at the table, this despite his never having held an elected office. I would encourage Sharpton to keep his wits about him. He's not the official voice of african-americans, and if he starts campaigning against voices within the african-american community, well...it'll be seen for what it is, rather petty ambition.

[dreissig]

18. You're Making That Up

Al Sharpton doesn't need the approval of white liberals. It's a good thing, too. He'd have disappeared from sight long ago.

[w13rd0]

34. What am I making up?

That he hasn't held an elected office? That he isn't the only voice of african-americans? What am I making up?

[dreissig]

36. Petty Ambition

Here's what you said: if he starts campaigning against voices within the african-american community, well...it'll be seen for what it is, rather petty ambition

You are making that up. What evidence can you offer that it will be seen as petty ambition? You really should say that you think Al is guilty of "petty" ambition.

[joeybee12]

19. What good things???????????????????

Come on, he's done nothing.

[dreissig]

33. You Know Nothing About Him

You clearly know very little about Al Sharpton and the impact he has had on race relations in New York. Before Al Sharpton, blacks got justice only if government functionaries were so disposed. Al Sharpton brought to the black community the ability to embarrass the government into doing the right thing.

Does the name Youssuf Hawkins mean anything do you?

[DuctapeFatwa]

42. you may have hit on a "good thing" that is not perceived as such by all

It is so deeply ingrained, most of them are really not even aware of it.

[ConsAreLiars]

17. Why do you

spend so much time on DU slamming Dem candidates other than the one you purport to support? Is this your job? Do you intend to send the message that the candidate you purport to support is so flawed that he only looks good to the extent that the others can be painted as corrupt or dishonest? Do you intend to associate the candidate you purport to support with smear attacks like this?

[pruner]

22. smear tactics…

like calling any black official who'd endorse a white politician a "new breed of Uncle Toms"?

Al Sharpton is fucking joke… and not a very funny at that.

[ConsAreLiars]

30. smearing another Dem candidate

when done by a DU poster who claims to support different candidate strikes me as either woefully ignorant or deliberately divisive. When you write "Al Sharpton is fucking joke… and not a very funny at that" it has to be one or the other. I tend to believe it is the latter, but you could persuade me the the the former is actually true.

[IndianaGreen]

21. I don't know what to think about this NY Times article, or is this...

I don't know what to think about this NY Times article, or is this another character assassination piece from one of the most overrated newspapers in the country?

I will suggest that there is a move afoot to marginalize and silence the three most liberal Democratic candidates for President: Kucinich, Mosley-Braun, Sharpton. Let's not forget that this is the same newspaper that published an endless series of articles "proving" the existence of WMD in Iraq. Let's not forget that is also the same newspaper that belittled and criticized the millions of Americans and people around the world that marched and demonstrated against the war in Iraq.

Forgive me if I am quite a bit skeptical about anything that is published in the NY Times.

[dreissig]

28. It's What You Think It Is

The Times has an undeserved reputation as a "liberal" newspaper. Some of the positions it takes can be called liberal, but it's mostly right of center. The paper weaves editorial commentary into its "news" pieces. The Times thinks Sharpton is an upstart, and this piece reflects that judgement.

[DuctapeFatwa]

38. I have seen posts on this board refer to "putting him in his place"

It's just a matter of time before somebody calls him uppity.

[dreissig]

39. I Believe It!

I'm looking at a number of posts in this thread that sound utterly confident that Sharpton is nothing more than a self-promoter, a petty crook, a hustler. Where do they get this bullshit from? My guess is they get it from right wing sources, because it's totally untrue.

[no name no slogan]

40. TRUTH

I agree, the majority of posts on this thread are pretty ugly-- I'd say most of them would be right at home on any discussion board at Free Republic.

Of course, these same posters will probably come back with "I'm not a racist, honest! I've got a black friend!".

I would guess, judging by the ignorance level displayed here (as in "Al Sharpton is a fucking joke"), that most of these posters don't know SHIT about Sharpton's previous accomplishments-- other than Tawana Brawley, that is (since that one incident in a multi-decade life spent as an activist is obviously his defining moment).

The amount of veiled racism shown by these posters is really REALLY ugly-- and especially so considering it's coming from such an "enlightened" group of liberals.

Of course, these are probably the same type of "well meaning" guilty white folk who painted Malcolm X as a drug-dealing terrorist, and MLK as "just another uppity negro" causing "problems" in the south.

Absolutely disgusting.

:puke: :nuke:

[dreissig]

44. Al's Real Problem

Al Sharpton's real problem is that he looks and talks black. These shortcomings are easily corrected. It's surprising that he stays popular even though he's made no attempt to diversify his appeal. He must be a clown. Why would anybody choose to stay black?

</sarcasm>

[DuctapeFatwa]

45. That is probably too true for this room

Thank you!

:toast:

[dreissig]

47. It's a No-Win Situation

There's no correct way to be black, and it's always subject to review by whites. If you're not black enough, they call you a sellout. If you're too black, they'll find a way to call you uppity without saying it outright. This thread is a good example. Sharpton's using some of the political muscle he has earned by sticking his neck out. Oh my. What a wrong thing to do! Mustn't, mustn't talk back.

[DuctapeFatwa]

43. Which candidates will do anything different?

If you support Candidate X, if you run for office, Candidate X will be more likely to support you.

If you campaign against Candidate X, when you run for office, it is unlikely that Candidate X will encourage his staff and volunteers to help you out. It's a non-story, and as a statement from a candidate, on the significance meter, it's right up there with "If elected, I will not let you down."

[Curious Dave]

24. No Surprise

He is a political outsider. In light of his growing support, I'm not surprised to see the machine starting line up against him. Its only right that he fight the fires of racism with fire of his own

[DuctapeFatwa]

27. Puzzling that "Democratic officials" would care what he does

Even with all the big talk of civility on this board, I see things said about Al Sharpton go virtually unchallenged that if they were said about one of the bushlite ectomorphs with fat wallets, would send every Hall Monitor wannabe sounding the alarm and demanding that the poster in question be boiled alive.

And this is supposed to be the "progressive" edge of the Democrat posse.

With the primaries coming up, I would think that "Democratic officials and strategists" would be a little too busy than to worry their pretty little heads about the future employment plans of Al Sharpton's staff.

Shouldn't they be out convincing soccer moms that having the Iraqis slaughtered by French soldiers in addition to American ones is not either "too liberal?"

[Cheswick2.0]

32. let's pretend this is credible

So what? He has political influence he plans to use it. How is that different than any other politician?

[dreissig]

37. Al Has Earned His Clout

It may be that Charley Rangel wants to start counting noses early. Rangel is something of a Brahmin, but what has he done lately? The endorsement of Clark sounds like a deal with the Clintons.

[Cheswick2.0]

41. I had a mini confrontation at thanksgiving

My brother in law said that bush was so bad he would even vote for Sharpton to get bush out. He told me that if I read as much about and understood what happened with "Tawanna Brawley" I could not like Sharpton or defend him.
Later I realized that the problem was not what I don't know about Brawley. The problem was that Brawley was the limit of his information about Sharpton.
I really wish someone would do thread telling people about what they don't know concerning Rev Al. It has got to be someone more knowlegable than I. There are a lot of people here who need an education.

[dreissig]

46. Sharpton's Bio

I googled "Al Sharpton career" and the first 10 hits all called him a hustler or a charlatan or a scumbag. This man must be doing something right to attract so much negativity. I did find one fairly positive site: http://www.lordly.com/talent/lordly/SharptonAl.html

The attacks on Al Sharpton appear to be motivated by racism. There's no other explanation for their ferocity! Maybe I'm a true believer, a cult follower, etc., but I really like Al. He's done a lot of wonderful things in making injustice visible.

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes lives in a segregated community, Gerritsen Beach. When Sharpton picketed he was called a "sensation seeker", a "self-promoter", and a "hustler". But the point was made - the D.A. lives in a segregated community, No Blacks Allowed. What's up with that?

[Myra]

35. Part of an orchestrated media campaign against Sharpton, Kucinich, Braun

Regardless of what you think of Rev Sharpton, do you
think it's a coincidence that within three days:

-ABC/Ted Koppel used their control of the debate to
attack Kucinich, Braun, and Sharpton for 45 minutes
over poll numbers and money, yet not a single primary
vote has been cast?

-ABC, and I believe NBC (?), removed their embedded
reporters from those campaigns.

-The NY Times published this smear on Sharpton.
And it is a smear. And a racist one at that.
They claim he's issuing "threats".
Subtext-be afraid of the black man!

But here's Sharpton's alleged "threat"

"They are going to have to deal with the consequences," he said
in an interview. "I intend to hit the ground and mobilize a lot
of the masses who will not be sold out."

That's just how candidates talk.

Regardless of what you think of Rev Sharpton, please be aware:
This is part of an orchestrated media campaign against three
Dem candidates.

[dreissig]

48. Racism is Ideological

The attacks on Sharpton are motivated by racism, which isn't necessarily orchestrated. Ideology is generally subliminal - people aren't aware of its effect on them. In this thread there are a number of posts that show zero awareness of racism.

Sharpton's candidacy is consciousness-raising, even at a time when we are told that our consciousness is high enough. Don't go too far now, that's uppity. And here they are, unconscious of calling Shartpon uppity but insisting that's what he is.

[MoonAndSun]

50. I agree wholeheartedly.......

the "liberal" media is trying to marginalize Dennis, Carol and Rev. Al. The New York Times and all the other "kool kidz" have made up their minds that those 3 are done for and they are ready to force them out.

I hope those 3 stay in for as long as they can. I love to hear them during the debates, Dennis has passion for his beliefs, Rev. Al has a lot of things to say that we need to hear, and Carol is such a diplomatic, intelligent and strong woman.

Screw the New York Times, the only good thing about it is Paul Krugman, I wonder how long he will be able to hold onto his job there.