Why Did Lieberman Ask For Sharpton's Endorsement?

[CatWoman]

Joe Lieberman is now playing the race card, attacking Ned Lamont for reaching out to national African American leaders. Lieberman is specifically attacking, for instance, Al Sharpton. The New York Times reports "Lieberman aides said that Mr. Lamont's association with Mr. Sharpton ...was a political albatross." Lieberman's campaign issued a statement calling Sharpton one "of the more divisive and problematic figures in the Democratic Party." But, then, if Lieberman really believes that, here's a simple question: why did Joe Lieberman ask Al Sharpton to endorse his campaign?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/why-did-lieberman-ask-for_b_27461.html

[silverweb]

1. He's gone insane?

:shrug:

[deacon]

15. I really think so, i think he is a crazy.

[MADem]

2. He miscalculated...badly (what else is new?)

Had Sharpton endorsed him, JoeMentum would be calling him "One of the boldest and most forward-thinking figures in the Democratic Party."

Joe is a total tool. An "anything to win" type.

[LittleClarkie]

3. There's no excuse for being a shmuck on top of everything else Joe

What a shmucky campaign so far.

[ikojo]

4. I thought he was a "Clinton Democrat" and not

a "Sharpton Democrat."

Oh how I loath Joe!!!

[dsc]

5. In a swearing contest between Sharpton and Lieberman

I am not sure who I would believe.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. I know who I would.

[msmcghee]

6. I don't know why, but . .

. . I can't imagine why Democrats (or anyone with a brain) would admire scam artist and con-man Al Sharpton. I imagine there is some decent number of voters who each election seriously consider voting Dem - and then remember that almost all Dem pols seek Sharpton's blessing - and say "No, I don't think so".

Maybe I'm missing something but is there something to recommend Al other than having his finger on a number of black American votes?

[napi21]

7. I suspect Joe asked Joe to endorse him to get the black vote.

But I think I remember Al standing behind Ned in his acceptance speech. Hmmmm

Sure Al is a very outspoken guy, but I gotta tell ya, I really like him! He takes no shit from anyone! His responses always make sense. He can pose questions to his opponents in a debate that makes them stutter!

And BTW, I'm a caucasion (hate the white label, it always makes me feel like some kind of fake ghost!) and I've always believed in listening to the person and not the heritage!

[AndreaCG]

14. Much of Sharpton's campaign money for his Presidential run

came from republicans.

He and Lieberman have a lot in common.

[napi21]

17. I don't know anything about the money, but I can tell you that

Sharpton has ipressed me with his witt, and his ability to smack his opponents very effectively.

I really have not seen Al loose a debate on TV in a very ong time...if ever!

You can ave your arguments against some of his positions, but the guy is very good with his words!

[eleny]

8. K&R

[Botany]

9. Because Sharpton will do anything for money

Including working for republicans ...... a Mr. Stone is his fav.

[EST]

11. Lieberman has proven

to be the scurrilous, obnoxious little creep that many of us have long suspected and maintained. I find no joy in the confirmation.
How he can imagine that his silly shallowness would endear him to anyone but republiclowns is alternately amazing and sickening.

[Sydnie]

12. Joe did not "Choose Wisely"

[Botany]

13. Did I ever tell you that you are my Fav?

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0406,barrett,50930,5.html



Sharpton's profligate spending had already "disgusted" Watkins, who found his excesses—including "high-life" stays at the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas ($3,264), the Mandarin Oriental in Miami ($3,645), and Four Seasons in Los Angeles ($7,343)—"completely out-of-bounds." While Sharpton was reserving the most expensive suites for two aides and himself, Watkins had only collected two weeks of pay and run up $13,944 in travel and other expenses that had gone unreimbursed (the campaign still owes him $55,111 in combined salary and expenses). Halloran was also suddenly bringing in a two-man consulting company for field operations, and Elizebeth Burke as a scheduler, introducing Watkins to all three.

The mystery about how all this would be paid for was soon solved, through the National Action Network (NAN), Sharpton's long-standing nonprofit. Halloran told Watkins: "There's no money in the campaign, but money is pouring into NAN. We have to figure out a way of doing what we have to do with the money we have." NAN would principally pay Burke, and the consultants, in an apparent end run around federal election law and nonprofit regulations. Unbeknownst to Watkins, Stone was pumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into NAN.

[Sydnie]

18. You are breaking out the terminal cuteness for me tonight

and it is much appreciated. I've had a hell of a bad week and your "snuggles" mean more than you could ever know. :loveya:

[babylonsister]

25. Your reference/link is real old:

Sharpton's Cynical Campaign Choice
Reverend Al Dumps Jesse's Best for Bush's Buddy
by Wayne Barrett with special reporting by Jennifer Suh
February 11 - 17, 2004

I had disdain for Rev Al, but not lately. (Who among us hasn't screwed up? I was in NY for the Brawley debacle) I like him! He's a smart guy, a Dem, and he has the flair to not only get air time, but to help Dems. He's okay in my book.

[Botany]

27. he takes money from repugs

end of story

[babylonsister]

29. Recently? I had to ask. nt

[karnac]

16. he is trying to draw Sharpton in

Sharpton is a potentially very devisive character among many white voters. Considering the small black population in connecticut is not as much to lose.

If he causes Sharpton to officially endorse Lamont you could see what might happen.

Lieberman also demonstrates his "independence" this way from the "far left"

[Roy]

19. That's no more than a divisive republican talking point..

Sharpton is already working with the Lamont campaign and Lamont has already said he is happy to have him on board. Lierberman is appealing to the idiotic republican base, trying to pass on talking points for the 'wackos', a name their leaders call them, to mindlessly parrot. Kinda like you are doing now.

How is it independent to repeatedly invite someone to join your campaign, and then when they choose to work for your opponent you then try and smear them?

Maybe Lieberman will agree to debate sharpton on his divisiveness, or any other topic, I'd pay a dollar to watch it.

[karnac]

20. Dont think Lieberman ever wanted an endorsement period

they are just too different. There was no chance in hell for it to happen.

Whether it is an honest tactic to for lieberman to ask for the impossible is a different question.

Sharpton is low profile right now, a smart move in the general. I believe Lieberman wishes it was otherwise for the reasons you stated.

[Roy]

22. Of course he wanted an endorsement

From Al Sharpton, Minister Farrakhan's, or anyone else. He was grasping for any straw to win the primary.

This independent run speaks volumes as to how desperate he is to hold on to power, no matter whose butt he would have to kiss, or shoes he would shine.

And despite anything he has to say right now, if wins the general, we will hear about how since the Dem party left him he sadly is force to switch parties.

He is being bought and paid for right now. He will follow the money. So there goes the voting with Dems 90% of the time.

The man is a slime ball opportunist!

[izzybeans]

21. I think he read the wrong Triangulation manual.

"Triangulation for Dickheads" was meant to be a spoof. Around these parts we call it "retreat to the middle". Its political kin to white flight.

[bleever]

23. Nice post.

This cat...has claws!

Joe now has a life choice to make: to become a statesman, a role he's qualified for, and entitled to, or to remain a politician, and rot away.

[Nothing Without Hope]

24. I'd say Lieberman assumed he could buy Sharpton for a token black

spokesman and now has sour grapes because this ploy didn't work.

[Cha]

26. Cause joe needs all

the supporters he can get and when they won't support him.. he turns on them like a vicious, rabid weasel(sorry weasels).

[MrSlayer]

28. I think he wants Sharpton to bad mouth him.

So he can use Sharpton's perceived "race baiting insanity" against Lamont. He doesn't really want Sharpton on his team.