I don't know. But in recent weeks the media seems to have treated him well, and he seems to have the skill to make the media like and respect him. I am willing to forgive his previous support for a false charge, and I say that as someone who has been falsely accused of rape and done jail time as a result. This is about the future of our country, not past resentments. As for racism, we claim to have overcome it; let's prove it. As for money, if you want a strong candidate who can tear Bush apart in a debate, Al's the man to fund.
I like this. I really do.
This tells me something that I was hoping for. The DNC/DLC offensive against Sharpton (using toadies like Begala and Brazille) has backfired in the Democratic Party's activist community, both among white and nonwhite Sturmabteilungen. You will recall that Crossfire episode in which Begala kept yapping about Tawana Brawley? You will also recall Donna Brazille's effort to recruit "native son" black candidates in important states to kill off Sharpton's margins early in the primaries? Both efforts came a cropper, and now Sharpton is doing some open field running with the black base vote.
This is great, for two reasons:
1. Sharpton might take South Carolina and several other southern primary states using the black bloc and the Guilty White Liberal voter to springboard him to victory. This will give him enormous clout in Boston. The DNC crowd will have to come to him. That is to say, Bill and Hillary Clinton will have to have a sit-down with the Right Reverend to find out what he wants. Unless, of course, the Clintons want a walkout which would upend the candidacy of the Empty Suit who happens to have their support for the nomination.
2. As Sharpton's power increases in the Democratic Party, Jesse Jackson's power must necessarily decrease. Jesse has allies in the NAACP power structure, among black leaders in the trades unions, and among black financiers and industrialists in many industries. Some have benefited from Jackson's shakedowns. As Sharpton waxes, these leaders will necessarily rethink their financial positions within the Party. This will lead to a civil war between Jackson and Sharpton, as JJ attempts to defend his position against Sharpton's insurgency. In this effort, he will have the quiet backing of the Clintons, who understand the danger that Al poses to them and their ambitions.
Naturally, these conflicts will be too pronounced to be swept under the rug, as the black community will smell real power for the first time. Also, naturally, the rather wealthy and rather white folks who control the money in the Democratic Party will attempt beat down this insurgency. Black voters will not be fooled, but they will insist to themselves that they not be "fooled" into voting Republican, either.
According to my scenario, it is about this time that George W. Bush steps in, Dick Cheney steps down to retirement, and Condi Rice steps up to the Vice-Presidency. Bush has always had a talent for creating disorder among the "other side" (you will recall the deal he made with Charlie Norwood about health care liability prior to the Stem-Cell debate and 9-11?), and there will be absolute chaos among Democratic leaders once this occurs.
Right now, as the Sharpton thing plays out, keep your eye on Rice.
Be Seeing You,
Chris