Sharpton Campaign Manager Resigns

The Associated Press breaking ^ | Sep 30, 2003

[Kaslin]

NEW YORK (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton's campaign manager has left the campaign.

Frank Watkins said Tuesday that he and Sharpton's South Carolina coordinator, Kevin Gray, had resigned. Both men had worked on the Rev. Jesse Jackson's presidential campaigns in the 1980s.

Watkins will remain an unpaid adviser to the campaign, Sharpton said in a news statement Tuesday. Watkins said he was stepping down for personal reasons and still will vote for Sharpton.

Watkins will be replaced by political operative Charles Halloran, who is charged with reorganizing Sharpton's campaign, including auditing his fund-raising.

Sharpton said, "I am delighted to bring such an able and experienced campaign professional on board to manage my campaign."

He said his campaign had already increased fund-raising efforts, including a gala birthday bash on Oct. 14 hosted by Russell Simmons, Jay-Z and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

"I have nothing but the highest regard for Frank Watkins and will always refer to him as Uncle Frank and look forward to his sage advice over the course of this campaign," Sharpton said.

Sharpton is one of 10 people seeking the Democratic Party's presidential nomination for 2004.

AP-ES-09-30-03 2054EDT

[Kaslin]

Watkins will remain an unpaid adviser to the campaign, Sharpton said in a news statement Tuesday. Watkins said he was stepping down for personal reasons and still will vote for Sharpton.

Uh huh < /sarcasm off >

[dogbyte12]

And to think... Sharpton is leading the polls among people who are institutionalized. Once ya get the thorazine crowd, the rest is easy.

Sharpton must be crushed. The White House was so close to his grasp.

[mhking]

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[Brian S]

Say it ain't so!!

[Shermy]

Watkins will be replaced by political operative Charles Halloran, who is charged with reorganizing Sharpton's campaign, including auditing his fund-raising.

Hint, hint.

[sheik yerbouty]

The "Graft Zeppelin" will not fly!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Charles Halloran . . . is charged with reorganizing Sharpton's campaign, including auditing his fund-raising.

Note how this was slipped into the article: "auditng his fund-raising."

I think this is the key to the entire story. Something very fishy is going on with Sharpton's fundraising. Either Watkins had his hand in the till, or possibly he refused to cover up Sharpton's misdeeds and therefore was forced out.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton's campaign manager has left the campaign.

He's probably this guy: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/992646/posts

:)

[AngrySpud]

Campaign finance irregularities ... who woulda thunk it?

You FReepers who opened up your wallets to Al's campaign must have never seen it coming ;)

[StriperSniper]

And to think... Sharpton is leading the polls among people who are institutionalized.

And I think FReepers, at least in the primary. He's the only one I've seen FReepers cheer on.

(Go Al Go!)

[dagnabbit]

Watkins will be replaced by political operative Charles Halloran

Darned! That would have been my dream job. Al could have at least given me a call back. Seriously, what could possibly be more fun than being Big Al's campaign manager.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton's campaign manager has left the campaign.]

OH NOOOO!!! This will put Al's entire campaign into a tailspin!!! BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! Snort.

[thegreatbeast]

Frank Watkins has a lot to answer for! Not being able to move Sharpton to the top rank of contenders? How can that be?

[Brett66]

I'm still hoping he will get the nomination. Oh well, I guess deano will be the one.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The "Graft Zeppelin" will not fly!

[Once-Ler]

I would think that running Sharpton's campaign would seem like a dream job for most 'rats. There is absolutly no expectation of success.

[sarasmom]

"I would think that running Sharpton's campaign would seem like a dream job for most 'rats. There is absolutly no expectation of success."

In a week full of nominations for post of the day,please do not conclude that yours was not really a serious contendor!
ROTFL!