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…”
Rev Sharpton??? Just like Jesse Jackson, He doesn’t even come close to deserving that title for only God Himself is to be revered.
Mr. Huckabee simply expressed that it should be the state of South Carolina’s right to decide what flag should fly to represent the state and that is exactly how it should be for all states. The confederate flag means many things to many different people and is part of the rich and proud history of the USA.
Mr. Sharpton is a fool and simply wishes create and enflame racial division in the country at any chance he can get beause he himself represents racism and should be ashamed of it! He enjoys dictating his racial views to the rest of the country and expects everyone to agree with him. Well, not so Sharpton! We have our own opinions and mine is to let the Stars and Bars fly with pride and honor forever!
I am so tired of Sharpton (does not meet the description of Reverend to be called one) making everything into a black/white issue. Every comment made out there is not about him! I am discriminated against every day, but I don’t whine and complain about it. Move forward and stop trying to bring up the past. We will never be able to advance if we continually are living in the past.
Al Sharpton is full of it. The Confederate Flag is and always will be a part of our American History. A large percentage of my relatives were good southern people and felt as strong about their cause, as Martin Luther Kings followers. I do not condon salvary in no way, but that was a different time. Meatheads like Al Sharpton, Jackson, black panthers, and others are major factors in a major divide in America today. The first step in the right direction would be to do away with leaders like this, and take a look at American as American’s. The NAACP should be reconstructed as the NAAAP. National Association for the Advancement of All People. The sooner we not give the Al Sharpton’s of the world a platform the better we all will be.
Where do I begin??? If those of you whoe are voting for Hillarious, just because she’s a woman, who is being the sexist? If those of you who are voting for Obama simply because he is black, who is being the racist? Do either of these candidates have the merit or the experence to earn your vote? That’s right, I said “EARN.” As far as Hillary’s so-called “experience” goes, does simply being around something mean that you were directly involved & leading the way? For lack of a better term, wouldn’t “Guilty-by Association” be more appropriate here? I was a Navy Brat for the first 11 years of my life, am I now qualified to be the Secretar of Defense?? Now, Do I agree with everything that Mitt, or Mike, or Fred, or Rudy, or John are saying? Not on a bet, but I think we have a better chance of getting an “experienced” leader from those candidiates. It’s has nothing to do with race, or gender or anything for me, but beliefs and postional stances. yes I left Ron Paul out of it on purpose. Seems to be where he is most of the time —WAY OUT OF IT!
Politics is the art of compromise, religion deals with absolutes. If stupidity causes us to mix the two then we are surely headed for disaster. Also, are we such dolts that we can be swayed by political TV commercials ? We know that thay are sponsored by people with agendas, that they are full of spin and outright lies, so why don’t we just let the pols know that we are automatically rejecting al their commercials so they might as well not bother airing them and they can stop selling themselves to finance them. AND TO THE RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS - kEEP YOUR SUPERSTITIONS TO YOURSELF !
Al Sharpton is a racist and Obama is a basically a communist. They should both leave America.
Who cares what Sharpton has to say. He condemned the Duke University lacrosse players from start to bitter end. Kept his big mouth shut after that. He should do us all a favor and crawl back into his hole. He promotes racism in america more than anyone else.
Somebody please, tell that dolt Sharpton to blow it out his ear or the orifice of his choice. that bum is disgusting.
Someone tell Sharpton to shut up and talk to Twana.
just vote for Gladys Night, she is a woman, a black and a mormon