Sharpton backs Senate vote for Janice Rogers Brown

Sharpton breaks ranks on Brown
By Charles Hunt
The Washinton Times

The Rev. Al Sharpton implored Senate Democrats yesterday not to filibuster President Bush's nomination of California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown to the nation's second-highest federal court.
snip
"I don't agree with her politics. I don't agree with some of her background," said Mr. Sharpton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president. "But she should get an up-or-down vote.

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20031105-112830-3749r.htm

?????????????????????????????????????

go over the edge I think - what in the world can he be thinking? Just because she is black?

I used to have a lot of respect for Rev. Al, but lately I wonder where his head is. I know he is pissed over Jesse Jackson Jr. and Dean, but hey, get a grip Al.

And yes, I agree that Shaprton should keep his mouth shut on this. And I really hope the Dems filibuster this bitch, and stand up to Al. I really don't think he has as much influence as he believes he does.

has this been reported any place else? I'll believe this info if there is another source to back it up.

Brown's nomination brought an unusual reversal from Democratic presidential candidate and civil rights activist Al Sharpton, who said in a television interview that while he disagreed with Brown's political views, she deserves a vote in the Senate. Most civil rights groups and the Congressional Black Caucus vigorously oppose Brown's nomination.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/11/07/JUDGE.TMP

I officially have no idea how to even begin to respond to this.

:wtf:

it makes a nice sound bite, but doesn't stand up to serious critical scrutiny.

hang it up, Al.

Philosophically, she out-Borks Bork.

And pragmatically, the filibuster is the last meaningful leverage available to Democrats - all that stands between us and the poisoning of the judiciary for generations.

I reckon the Rev could wrap his intellect around that one.

Here's something from an article by David Kravetz, AP News service. He's quoting a friend of hers, Douglas Kmiec.

Brown also finds inspiration in her religion, Kmiec said. While introducing Brown to the graduating law students on May 24, he said she formulates opinions "in prayer and quiet study of the Bible." And in her commencement address, she criticized philosophers and scientists for trying to mold society "as if God did not exist."

End of quote. Once again, folks, he is THE REVEREND Al Sharpton, and his religious views are so intertwined in his life--he's been a minister since the age of NINE--that separation of church and state is a serious issue. I do not take this lightly. Too many believers are not beholden to the U.S. Constitution; their true allegiance is to their assumption of a cosmology that is exclusive and above logic or reproach.

Gosh, he's funny and has his heart largely in the right place, but I sincerely caution us to ever even consider having A MAN OF THE CLOTH AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. That is about as bad an idea as I can think of.

...nomination should come out of committee and go to a floor vote, where, I assume, he'd vote no (unless the article says otherwise).

From the Chronicle story:

Sharpton Thursday issued a "clarification" that said, "I am strongly opposed to the nomination of Janice Rogers Brown ... She is so far removed from the judicial mainstream that she poses a serious threat to the progress we have made in civil rights."


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/11/07/JUDGE.TMP

(the last paragraph)

I was listening to C-Span tonight, on replay of today's Senate business, and Russ Feingold requested Sharpton's clarification statement be read into the record, and Orin Hatch screwed around, trying to generate a lot of negativity, then he finally read it in.

It was good to hear from Sharpton directly, not the Washington Times' version of his thoughts, f'r crying out loud. (Shudder)

but not for the democratic candidate. Gov-elect Haley Barbour should write a thank you note to the judiciary committee.

Maybe Sharpton read the election results.

:(

... just to leapfrog the troll trying to shove real DU threads off the front page.

Sharpton. He has lost his freakin mind. I thought that his presence in the race was a way to get the democratic party realigned with the traditional base, but I don't know what the hell he's up to now. I've been sending letters to Senators to block her nomination and now this crap. He needs to take a flying leap.

only selected excerpts, and God only knows how much mischief you can do with that kind of "editing." The Washington Times has absolutely no reputation to uphold, as anyone knows.

He issued a clarification the next day. I heard Orin Hatch begrudgingly read his remarks into the record during a session of the Judiciary Committee.

Al Sharpton's opinion of Brown:

(snip) Sharpton Thursday issued a "clarification" that said, "I am strongly opposed to the nomination of Janice Rogers Brown ... She is so far removed from the judicial mainstream that she poses a serious threat to the progress we have made in civil rights." (/snip)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/11/07/JUDGE.TMP

Edited on Sat Nov-08-03 09:53 AM by khephra
(both are press releases)

Reverend Al Sharpton Clarifies His Position On Justice Janice Rogers Brown

(08 November 2003 08:58) Written by Herb Boyd

NEW YORK, NY—Democratic Presidential Candidate, the Reverend Al Sharpton, issued the following statement to clarify his position on the potential filibuster of President Bush’s nomination of California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

“I am strongly opposed to the nomination of Janice Rogers Brown to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.” “She is so far removed from the judicial mainstream that she poses a serious threat to the progress we have made in civil rights.” “This morning, I made phone calls to Senator Lahey, through his Chief-of-Staff, Luke Albee, and Senators John Edwards, and Charles Schumer, to convey my opposition to the nomination of Justice Brown.” “I asked the Senators to do everything within their means to prevent her from gaining a lifetime appointment to this important Court, and call upon the full Senate to take the same steps to ensure that she is not confirmed.”

http://www.tbwt.org/home/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=1





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Black Group Critical of Sharpton's Civil Rights Flip-Flop

11/7/03 2:20:00 PM


To: National Desk

Contact: David Almasi, 202-371-1400, ext. 106, for Project 21

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Reverend Al Sharpton's dramatic 24-hour reversal on federal judicial nominee Janice Rogers Brown is strongly criticized by members of the African-American leadership network Project 21.

Forty-eight hours ago, Sharpton agreed with Project 21 that Brown deserves fair treatment, including a vote. Yesterday, apparently under political pressure, Sharpton changed his mind.

Members of Project 21 question Sharpton's commitment civil rights in now seeking to deny the black judge a fair and timely confirmation process, especially as Sharpton's new position violates not only the U.S. Constitution but Sharpton's own views.

In a Nov. 5 interview with Sinclair Broadcasting, Sharpton opposed plans by liberal senators to keep the Brown nomination from coming to a full vote in the U.S. Senate through a filibuster. He said: "I don't agree with her politics. I don't agree with some of her background. But she should get an up-or-down vote." The next day, however, Sharpton's office released a statement urging senators "to do everything within their means to prevent" Brown from being confirmed. Speaking on liberal pressure experienced by Sharpton to change his opinion, talk radio host Armstrong Williams, who was in contact with Sharpton, told The Washington Times: "He said they were putting a lot of pressure on him."

"I believe that Al Sharpton's unambiguous about-face is proof positive that liberal racists without question are able, in the face of undeniable evidence, to not just control the Jesse Jacksons and Elijah Cummings of our nation but also someone who - at face value - is believed to be as independent as Sharpton has been," said Project 21 member Mychal Massie, a Pennsylvania small businessman.

Brown has been nominated for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The daughter of Alabama sharecroppers, she has dedicated her 26-year legal career to public service. An associate justice on the California Supreme Court since 1996, she won 76 percent of the vote to retain her seat on the court. Her appeals court nomination enjoys bipartisan support, and she is highly regarded by her judicial colleagues in California and across the nation.

Speaking on Sharpton's apparent interest in currying political favor rather than fighting for fair treatment and the advancement of minorities, Massie adds: "Succinctly put, in the liberal world, the plantation-masters will permit no blacks to leave the plantation. Those that do will do so at their own peril. Indoctrination and mind control are the order of the day. What a remarkably free group."

Project 21 has been a leading voice in the African-American community since 1992. For more information and to schedule an interview, contact David Almasi at 202-371-1400, ext. 106 or Project21@nationalcenter.org, or visit Project 21's Web site at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=120-11072003


(NOTE: I know NOTHING about Project 21 and am not supporting their views. I just provided the two pieces to back up the fact that Sharpton changed his opinion on the matter twice within the same week.)

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=203216

I'm locking this thread. Interested DUers are welcome to continue discussing this in the referenced thread.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,
TahitiNut - DU moderator