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Sharpton Insists He Still Has a Role to Play

Civil rights leader not threatened by new wave of black politicians

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2007 2:34 PM CST
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(Newser) – Is there a place for Al Sharpton in a Barack Obama world? The first black politician with a serious shot at the Oval Office hardly mentions race, whereas Sharpton is, as one historian puts it, “kind of a racial ambulance chaser.” But Sharpton isn’t worried. “They say we don’t matter,” he tells the Washington Post, then “they want to know who we’re endorsing.”

Sharpton has had a busy year, spearheading outrage over Don Imus, the Jena Six, and a Queens police shooting. “We’ve always had blacks so-called in the system and blacks outside,” he says, and while Obama speaks to the former, Sharpton holds sway over the latter. “If I’m a guy seeking office,” he says, “I would not want me against me.”

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is greeted by Rev. Al Shaprton, left, after being introduced during the 9th annual National Action Network convention Saturday, April 21, 2007 in New York. Democratic presidential contenders are scrambling for support in what's being dubbed the Al Sharpton primary. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin...
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is greeted by Rev. Al Shaprton, left, after being introduced during the 9th annual National Action Network convention Saturday, April 21, 2007...   (Associated Press)
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks from the podium during a press conference at the Harlem headquarters of his civil rights organization in New York on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Edouard H.R. Gluck)
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks from the podium during a press conference at the Harlem headquarters of his civil rights organization in New York on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Edouard H.R. Gluck)   (Associated Press)
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks from the podium during a press conference at the Harlem headquarters of his civil rights organization in New York on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Edouard H.R. Gluck)
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks from the podium during a press conference at the Harlem headquarters of his civil rights organization in New York on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Edouard H.R. Gluck)   (Associated Press)
Rev. Al Sharpton speaks prior to the March Against Hate Crimes, around the Justice Department in Washington, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Rev. Al Sharpton speaks prior to the "March Against Hate Crimes," around the Justice Department in Washington, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., looks on with Rev. Al Sharpton before speaking to an audience at the 9th annual National Action Network convention Saturday, April 21, 2007 in New York. Democratic presidential contenders are scrambling for support in what's being dubbed the Al Sharpton primary. (AP Photo/Frank...
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., looks on with Rev. Al Sharpton before speaking to an audience at the 9th annual National Action Network convention Saturday, April 21, 2007 ...   (Associated Press)
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Barack Obama • Don Imus • Al Sharpton • race relations • civil rights • Jena Six • Election 2008

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