NEW YORK - Rev. Al Sharpton called on Hillary Clinton to drop out of the Democratic presidential race, likening her to an entertainer who doesn’t know when to leave the stage.
“Not dropping out would mean ruining the party,” the civil rights leader told New York 1 television on Thursday night. “I think Barack Obama’s the nominee. I think he’s won. The majority of Democrats have already decided.”
Sharpton, a failed Democratic candidate in 2004, has yet to endorse any candidate for the November election though he has been actively courted by Obama and Clinton.
He has natural ties to both Democratic candidates: his National Action Network is based in New York City and Clinton is a U.S. senator from New York state. And he has also championed causes for African Americans, and if elected Obama, a senator from Illinois, would be America’s first black president.
But his latest words suggest an endorsement might not be necessary in the nomination battle.
“As you know, I’ve been in the ministry of civil rights all my life, but had dealings with entertainers because of James Brown,” Sharpton said. “The worst thing in the world is when an entertainer doesn’t know when the show is over. The audience is gone, the lights are down, you’re getting ready to cut the mics off and you are still on the stage singing. It’s over, it’s all right, it’s over. Come sing another day, but this show is over for Sen. Clinton.”
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Photo credit: Reuters/Mike Segar
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White people calling black people racist is laughable. The “oppressor” doesn’t have the right to call the “oppressed” racist. That’s like calling the Jews racist for having some issues towards the Nazis. Black people still deal with racism every day in this country.
Yeah, we’ve made some inroads but a black man got drug to death behind a truck within the last 10 years in east Texas.
There is still plenty to fear out there in America.
So white people, quit trumping up charges of black people
being racist, please.
Please get over your own racism, and face the realities, and be a good sport, and back up the eventual democratic nominee if you actually are a democrat.
- Posted by ShaneTake it to the floor of the convention. By August it will be undeniably clear to the only ones that matter, Superdelegates, that Hillary Clinton is the best nominee to fight McCain.
- Posted by ColinBrother Al,
- Posted by JerryWould you be so quick to speak out if the tables were turned and your boy was trailing by a slight margin??didn’t think so.
How can we get this woman off the stage? She is now just making a fool of herself! It’s pathetic. Now she is falling behind in supers and the curtain is coming down.
- Posted by lyra husseinSharpton, if anyone needs to get off the stage, it’s you.
As a Hillary supporter, I can tell you that if she is not the Deomcratic candidate I will be crossing party lines to vote for McCain, as will so many of my friends, family and co-workers. Obama is not electable.
- Posted by CJAll these people seeing “black racism” as the reason for Obama’s success… is that your explanation for his victories in Iowa, Idaho, Wyoming…?
And you’re not seeing any “female sexism” as part of Hillary’s support? There’s a lot more women than blacks in this country, why isn’t she winning?
The fact is, if Hillary were a man, she’d be nowhere in this election. But if Obama were white, he’d still be an outstanding communicator and the most ethical candidate in this race. Take away race and gender, and he’s simply the best choice.
- Posted by drizzleBlack Racism against Hillary Clinton who black people voted for her huband 90% or better…..
Blacks cant be racist towards whitess because black people dont have the power in the USA… And black people have supported how many white democratic canadiates….. Now when blacks support Barack Obama its black racism…. so I guess the majority of America is white racism because most whites vote for white canadiates….
Black people have fought and got everything fair and square and we are the only group in America who has had legislation against us as a race…
Its ok for blacks to support the Democratic party but its black racism when they want to runt he party… Get use to it because you are going to see a lot more black racism]
The Democratic Parties Chickens Have Come to Roost….They used up the black vote for years and now blacks are supporting one of their own… I knew white racism would come out as soon as a black man got this far….. No whites are looking for an excuse to be racism… I guess black americans really enjoy opeing up history books and seeing 400 years of slavery and 43 straight white men hold the office of President and VP…. well if its black racism, you white americans have given up the blue print…
Show my one law in the US History similar to Jim Crow, 3/5 Comprimise or voting polls that opressed you white folks who cry because blacks are progressing…
America is headed to a civil war because if anything happens to Barack… it will be far worst than the two King Riots
Im black and long live Barack Obama… because I am 25 and I voted for Gore and Kerry now we get a black canadiate who has ran a better campagin that hillary and you white want to use the rac ecard
Blame the 98% white population of Iowa or North Dakota for this you white racist democrats are about to get exposed….
- Posted by BobbyAl Sharton is a fool. I am voting John McCain if Hillary Clinton is not on the ballot.
- Posted by RoseAnneAl Sharpton is not a spokeman for Obama, no more so than Jermeiah Wirght was. Also, Sharpton might well take his own advice and “leave the stage.” He continues to believe that he holds some special place as The leader of the black community, or that he is in some way a prominent Leader in America. He in fact is implying that this is or should be a Racial issue, which it is NOT and should not be.
- Posted by mikeSure, Al is entitled to his opinion, just as we all are. I just don’t see why his is deemed more valuable than anyone else’s.
- Posted by John KratzYes, Bill, please leave. By the way, “Take Al with you.”
- Posted by Sam Boykinval sommerviile, I SO concur! I have been stating that from the beginning. I will be one of those, independent, non-party voters, MORE THAN LIKELY swaying towards McCain, AND he knows it. It is exactly what the Republicans are counting on, they have stated that countless times! I am kind of surprised by the Dems’ behavior in congress, I find it hard to believe that a group of people, as such, can be so blinded.
Obama has showed me nothing that depicts he is capable to run the country. His frat-like popularity party will soon be over.
- Posted by DawnSharpton should have stayed out of it. He is not a politician. Why does everything have to be commented on?
- Posted by IndigenousLet the contest run it’s natural course. Sen. Clinton has the right to stay as long as she sees fit to stay. Sen. Obama hasn’t said get out. Certain politicians have called for her to leave, but they are colleagues and are only speaking from a political standpoint, I have no problem with this. Rev. Sharpton is not a politician, and should have kept his mouth shut. It is not necessary to comment on every little thing. The Democratic Party will need the energy of both candidates to stop this Republican machine that is firmly established in Wash.,D.C. Can we please end the hatred?
- Posted by crat3
Black racism cannot trump the Democratic nomination process. Obama’s lead in delegates, superdelegates and votes is largely due to the black racism against Sen. Clinton.
Obama does not have the requisite number of delegates for the nomination; he has no presumptive lock on the nomination. The Democratic nomination process is still in progress and concludes when all of the remaining states have voted and the superdelegates select the best qualified candidate using their independent judgment. Sen. Clinton is the best qualified presidential candidate and she must continue her fight for the future of America.
Using black racism to swipe the nomination from Sen. Clinton with the premature end of the nomination process is a subversion of the Democratic nomination process and this will result in Obama crashing and burning in November and the Democratic Party a train wreck in November. I will vote McCain. McCain will be president.
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Thank you! My thoughts EXACTLY!
- Posted by KaryIt is funny how you all seem to have your opinions but don’t think Sharpton is entitled to one. You see the only difference is that he has a voice in the mass media that has handed you all your opinions and you don’t.
- Posted by Robto KD - Obama didn’t win everything - he doesn’t have the delegates necessary!
- Posted by Jennean KabatTo Bruce Becker - I’m from Michigan and I want my vote to county - Hillary got alot of votes in Michigan - it is unfair not to count them!
- Posted by Jennean KabatBlack racism of 98 % black vote..Thats what this is all about,,its a shame …media love afair with Obama, not saying one negative thing for months and months until just a month ago, when they had to after being chastized for doing nothing. This has been racism and media monopoly to get Obama in….shame on you, she is the strongest candidate..Whites will backlash and vote for Mcain because Pelosi , Dean, Obama, the media have been dishonest in getting to where we are now…Obama has blocked the redoing of votes for Michigan and Florida,,,this has not come out…what a piece of crap
- Posted by tinoObama and Clinton have both been “actively courting” Sharpton for his endorsement???
Now I don’t wanna vote for either of them!
- Posted by John KratzWho cares what Sharpton says - Hillary can stay in the race as long as she wants!
- Posted by Jennean Kabat