The Political Wire: Sharpton Blasts ‘John’ Huckabee Over Confederate Flag Remarks
(4:55 p.m. ET)
The Rev. Al Sharpton released a statement Friday chastising one “John Huckabee” for saying South Carolina should be able to decide whether it wants to fly the Confederate flag.
Of course he meant Mike Huckabee — the GOP candidate who on the campaign trail Thursday said outsiders should not tell South Carolina what to do when it comes to that flag.
Either way, as the controversy of race settles on the Democratic side, Sharpton said Republican Huckabee is now offending the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
“In the midst of a national celebration of the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. around his birthday, and right before the South Carolina primary John Huckabee has sought to divide this country between Blacks and whites, and north and south by implicitly supporting South Carolina’s right to fly the Confederate flag over its state capitol,” he said. “Mr. Huckabee’s position is a direct slap at Dr. King and all that he fought for. To many Americans, especially those whose ancestors were enslaved here in America, the Confederate flag is a symbol of repression, violence, slavery and attempted secession from these United States. By its very definition, the flag represents division.”
The Reviews Are in — Candidates React to Bush Speech on Party Lines
(1:40 p.m. ET)
Democrats on Capitol Hill responded favorably to President Bush’s economic stimulus proposal Friday, but on the campaign trail the message from Democratic candidates was a bit different: too little too late.
They also used Bush’s speech, where he called for immediate income tax relief and business incentives, as a moment to highlight their own economic plans in the runup to the Nevada caucuses Saturday.
“After months and months of watching families struggle to get by in this economy, George Bush finally offered a plan that would leave out tens of millions of working Americans and seniors who need help most and are most likely to spend and boost our economy. That’s why when I announced my economic stimulus package last week, I called for immediate tax relief for working families and seniors who shouldn’t have to wait for help any longer,” Barack Obama said in a statement.
“Based on press reports I don’t think it does enough. It talks about giving direct payments to people which is good. I’m for that,” Hillary Clinton said at a union printing shop in Las Vegas. “But at least based on what we’ve been told, it leaves out 50 million people, some low income and some on fixed incomes who are seniors. I think we can do better than that.”
John Edwards also released a statement, saying: “American families cannot wait any longer for swift and decisive action. After years of stagnant wages, the economy may be slipping into a recession and if we don’t act now we may make our problems worse. The economic damage done by Bush and Cheney is deep and long-lasting, and the temporary tax cuts he proposes will not solve it alone. Making matters worse, his plan provides little or no help to some 50 million low-income and middle class families.”
GOP candidates were more receptive.
Rudy Giuliani said in a statement it was “positive step toward re-energizing the American economy.”
Mike Huckabee said it was a good plan, but that Washington still needs to pass a Fair Tax, the national sales tax he supports.
Clinton, Obama Each Snag Nevada Paper Endorsement
(10:16 a.m. ET)
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama each took home an endorsement from a Nevada newspaper Friday, one day before the state’s competitive Democratic caucuses.
The endorsements seemed to sum up the tone of the race between the two candidates, underscoring the credentials of one and the vision of the other.
The Las Vegas Sun highlighted Clinton’s experience and record of leadership in its endorsement of the New York senator.
“Clinton has a long and substantial record of leadership fighting on behalf of working Americans and children, and it is this experience and her passion for creating a better country that would serve this nation so well,” the Sun wrote.
The Reno Gazette-Journal highlighted Obama’s instincts, vision and personal characteristics in its endorsement of the Illinois senator.
“Obama embodies the political and ideological perspectives that the party projects,” the paper wrote. “He represents the platform of political unity and workable populist economics that he and party members believe will reinvigorate the economy and solve many of the other problems the nation is facing…”
Such a sad commentary to hear such racial ignorance.
In the grave all are the same …and all will return to dust .
And all will be judged by one God the Father of us all.
It’s a shame that unintelligent, lazy white people have issues with another human being because of the color of the skin, how ignorant is that ? I figure we would have stayed in Africa if your evil, lazy ass ancestors wouldn’t have come up with the big idea that it was okay to force a people to come over and do the work they should have been doing their damn selves. We didn ‘t petition you to come over here. Our ancestors took your beatings because you needed to feel superior in your manhood so you came over and forced us to this bull*&^% country because you needed us. Blacks are survivors .. if you would of left us there.. cool we wouldn’t have to deal with your selfish, intimidated crap just to be treated fairly. We’re here now so deal with it. You treated us just like Jesus was treated but you still have to call him in you time of last result need don’t you(for those that fake christianity)? We have well worked for what we get in this country and you know it that’s why your wrestle with yourselves and concern yourselves with bull*&^% issues about us. I can’t believe the ignorance of whites, you’ve beat us , limited us, raped us and yet you think you’ve done something for us. We’ve earned our stay , I’d say. The cool thing about it is now you the hispanics and asians etc have come right behind us and it’s nothing you can do. I just hated that we’re the ones that had to take the most harsh treatment. Get a life white people , we don’t we’re talented people and you can’t stand it . we don’t want to be in your skin by all means, it would be an insult.
AL SHARPTON,JESSE JACKSON AND OBAMA ALONG WITH LASHAWN BROWN ,AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE BLACKS ,WE OWE YOU NOTHING.IF YOU DON’T LIKE OUR WHITE ASS GO LIVE IN THE HOT DESERTS OF AFRICA ,WHERE THE HUTS SAG AND FILLED WITH FLIE FROM THE FILTH AND DERANGED NAKED BLACKS RUN AROUND AND DRINK WITH THEIR COWS…. AGAIN WE OWE YOU NOTHING ! IF YOU THINK WHITE OWE YOU FOR YEARS PAST TAKE IT UP WITH MY GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GRANDPARENTS ….
Seems to me the only way to fix problems we have is… If you don’t like our flags ,race,religion,heritage,ancestors ,then you ain’t true americans ,,,buy a ticket and go back to where you came from ………..Simple ?
As and African American I think it is important for all blacks to support Obama. He will definitely force racist whites to pay us our dues - REPARATIONS!!!!!!!!! Moreoverm Obama will never allow racial preferences to be banned. This is our way of getting what we deserve from whites. They must not be allowed to not give us money.
We will get our money from whites one way or another! Its us against them.
On the Flag Issue, How many have ever eaten Eastern Fried Chicken???? Or Northern or Western Fried Chicken??? Almost everyone in America has eaten Southern Fried Chicken. When we discuss East,West and North we are talking Directions. The South is a Place, a Place where people live it has a Heart,Soul and Spirit. It is the land of BBQ, NASCAR, Country Music,Tennessee Whiskey and they have spread all over the United States. Texas has the Lone Star Flag. California has the Bear Flag, They can still fly them with pride because it honors their History. We In the South also have a History of our Ancestors Fighting for Southern Independence. [Just as Jesus told His Disciples To Break the Bread and Drink the Wine in Rememberence of his Broken Body and Shed Blood.] Those of us Who post the Confederate Flags on our ancestors Thombstones,Cemeterys,Public Buildings and Front Yards. We do it in Honor of our Ancestors and of our History so we will never forget.