The Firebrand Cools It in Carolina

The Firebrand Cools It in Carolina
Courting the South, Al Sharpton Puts The Politics of Rage on the Back Burner

By Hanna Rosin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 10, 2003; Page C01


ORANGEBURG, S.C.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is standing around in a skybox at South Carolina State University, half watching the homecoming game, half joking with Rep. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) about how he should vote for Sharpton for president ("What's Plan B?" says the congressman, ha ha), when suddenly the conversation skips to Sharpton's favorite subject: James Brown.

"He took me to see Strom Thurmond once," Sharpton says.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah, James's father worked for him. I still got a picture of me and James that was taken in Strom's office."

Sharpton gets distracted and picks up some food. That's it. Nothing about Strom Thurmond as a Confederate-flag-loving segregationist. Nothing about Trent Lott and racism in the Republican establishment. Just some picnic food and fine memories, Al, James and Strom, back in the day.

"In New York they wouldn't even understand that," Sharpton says later about the complicated nature of southern race relations. "You have to be in the South to know, some of these guys who were rabid segregationists, they were the ones who knew all the blacks in town."

more...........

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20296-2003Nov9.html

He has really had some nasty race-baiting battles in the past and although he may be a quick wit at the debates, nobody takes him seriously. He is just taking time away from the other candidates.

Same with Braun & Kucinich. That's my 2 cents anyway.

JB, by the way, is a big time Republican.

He would be nowhere close to the stage. He is getting a pass on his past excesses. Personally, I think it is a disgrace to have him up there. My two cents.