Imus producer: Sharpton a 'race-baiter' (Bernard McGuirk on H&C tonight in debate)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/11/07 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

NEW YORK - In a debate televised Friday night, Don Imus' former producer called the Rev. Al Sharpton a race-baiter who was looking for attention when he led a campaign to fire the radio host. Sharpton said Imus and his producer got what they deserved for making a racist, sexist remark on the air.

Bernard McGuirk and Sharpton appeared together for a combative debate on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" show. McGuirk was fired last month for his part in an exchange on the "Imus in the Morning" program in which Imus called the members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos."

McGuirk, a 20-year producer and on-air jester for the show that originated on WFAN-AM in New York, called the team "hardcore hos" in the April 4 exchange with Imus. Sharpton held protests and lobbied both networks to fire Imus.

MSNBC took Imus' show off the air April 11 and CBS fired him from his syndicated radio program a day later.

McGuirk called Sharpton a "crude ... opportunist, a race-baiter" who campaigned against Imus to help his own career and raise his profile.

While McGuirk acknowledged that "these words did hurt these girls," he added, "until you, Reverend Al, got involved, they probably never would have heard of it. They would have probably never, quote unquote, got scarred for life until you got involved for your own self-serving interests."

Sharpton said he wasn't looking for more attention — "if you have any recollection at all, I had been in the papers all year," he said. He said Imus and McGuirk may have apologized for the remark, but "forgiveness is not the point. The question is the penalty."

"Consumers have the right to say to advertisers, 'Are your standards going to be where people are attacked based on your gender and race?'" Sharpton said.

McGuirk countered that Sharpton "terrorized these spineless, thumb-sucking executives" into taking Imus off the air. In an earlier appearance on "Hannity & Colmes," he said the executives "were in a fetal position under their desks sucking their thumbs on their BlackBerrys, trying to coordinate their response."

McGuirk said Imus "made one small mistake. He ran a red light" and shouldn't have been fired.

"Who elected you the p.c. police chief?" he asked Sharpton. "Who elected you to anything?"

Imus has not spoken publicly since his dismissal, but his lawyer has said he intends to sue CBS for $120 million, and said that the network encouraged irreverent, off-color comments on the program.

[NormsRevenge]

In this image taken from video and released by the FOX News Channel, Rev. Al Sharpton, right, makes a point as Bernard McGuirk, former producer of 'Imus in the Morning,' listens during their live debate on the 'Hannity and Colmes' show in New York, Friday, May 11, 2007. The two men faced off on the Fox News Channel program over the fairness of having Don Imus pulled from the air for his inappropriate remarks about the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team in April 2007. McGuirk lost his job along with Imus. (AP Photo/Fox News Channel)

[Jorge]

"Al Sharpton a race-baiter"

Tell me something new.

[vbmoneyspender]

During the debate did either one call the other a Hannity ho.

[hole_n_one]

Where is the the part where Hannity, never mind Sharpton, continually interrupted McGuirk whenever he was in mid-sentence?

[stephenjohnbanker]

Sharpton is a (Tawana Brawley) criminal, and Fox has no problem promoting this fowl race pimp.

[Judith Anne]

The replay is on now. It’s incredible how much Sharpton talks. He overtalks everyone, including Colmes, and refuses to let anyone ask any questions—he is so incredibly rude.

This isn’t a discussion, Sharpton is like Rosie, acting like it’s HIS show, acting as though he is the arbiter of everything that occurs on the program.

Sharpton must feel very threatened. Particularly by “white interlopers”—a quote of his that, when Hannity inserted it, caused Sharpton to just go ballistic.

[RobbyS]

Remember that mild old term, “publicity Hound”? The guy’s only talent is self-promotion, but he is certainly good at that.

[Judith Anne]

Fox did NOT promote Sharpton. Sharpton came off looking really stupid.

[NormsRevenge]

I dropped FNC and a few other stations months ago and don’t miss it in the least.

That being said, I can fully understand your comments about Sharptoin and his grandstanding having witnessed innumerable examples of what you describe from seeing it all too oft in the past when we did get it.

I also don’t miss Greta, Whorealdo, Newt, ‘Stick a toe in it’ Morris, etc.

I do miss Ollie and Anne, that’s about it. ;-)

[TN4Liberty]

McGuirk called Sharpton a "crude ... opportunist, a race-baiter" who campaigned against Imus to help his own career and raise his profile.

It was just at true before this episode. A shame that McGuirk didn't bother to say it before his was HIS life that was destroyed.

[ozzymandus]

I watched a few minutes until al started to talk, and got nauseous and turned it off. I've had all of that fat sack of shit I can take.

[tflabo]

I’ll give Sharpton this much credit...at least he has the balls enough to show up live and debate his issues on Fox. Unlike his panty waist democrat liberal pols avoiding the tough questions... He may be wrong but Sharp’s got the balls at least.

[teldon30]

Remember that mild old term, “publicity Hound”? The guy’s only talent is self-promotion, but he is certainly good at that.

---

Who? Hannity or Sharpton?

;)

[hole_n_one]

Giving Hannity a pass on tonight’s debacle is like ignoring the iceberg that Titanic struck.

[jazusamo]

I started to watch it too but couldn’t take Al, he’s nothing but a self serving con man.

[DTogo]

Nothing tops Michelle Malkin being called a “woman of color” and a “prostitute” for Whitey like that other race-baiting charlatan did a couple weeks back...

[RobbyS]

LOL!

[NormsRevenge]

Typical of dems to commit those acts they so vehemently protest being committed against “their own” ,, it truly defines hypocrisy as one of the core elements to being a liberal.

[NormsRevenge]

I wonder how many Ruth’s Crisp certificates he gets for each appearance.? ;-)