I missed last night's debate, but from what I gather from the thread started by Trapper John, Al Sharpton again stole the show. What follows is a blog post from a month ago that I'm recycling here because it seems at least as topical now as it was then. I originially posted this half-tongue in cheek, but the farther the race proceeds (and the more that Sharpton shines in debates), the more I wonder about his legitimate viability as a VP. (At this point I still lean toward a more conventional pick such as Edwards, Clark, Richardson, or Cleland.)
What I want to know is, what sort of role, if any, should the Reverand Al play in 2004?
Based on the Reverend's stellar performance in last night's debate (his suggestion to Clark that he shouldn't be embarrased about being a new Democrat when so many old Democrats on the stage had been acting like Republicans, was priceless--if only the camera had panned to Lieberman at that moment--though certainly not the only gem), I say forget Clark, Edwards, Graham, or Richardson. Al Sharpton would be a truly inspired and inspirational pick for Vice President
I know, Sharpton doesn't fit the usual mold for a vice presidential nominee:
- He's not from a competitive state. (If the Dem ticket somehow doesn't win NY, moving to Canada may quickly become an appealing option. I don't want to think what this radical administration might attempt to do if it won in a landslide.)
- At first glance, Sharpton also wouldn't appear to help the Dems in either the South or any other region.
- The Reverend doesn't bring policy expertise or legislative experience to help bolster the Dems on an issue for which they're perceived as vulnerable, such as national security.
- He's a controversial figure. Lots of people, not just racists and other Republicans, might be driven to vote for Bush/Cheney if Sharpton was on the Dem ticket. To many people, the Tawana Brawley hoax is the first and perhaps only thing that comes to mind in association with Sharpton.
- Sharpton's so colorful and charismatic he might overshadow whoever the presidential candidate is.
But consider the fact that George H.W. Bush won with Dan Quayle, or for that matter, that Bill Clinton won with Al Gore. Quayle was an empty vessel in more ways than one, to include the lack of benefits that Poppy Bush gained from selecting "Potatoe" Boy--Bush didn't need help winning Indiana. In a similar vein, given that Gore lost Tennessee in 2000, one wonders how much he helped fellow southerner Clinton there or elsewhere in the South. True, Gore was a Senator with national securty/foreign policy experience who helped compensate for Clinton being "only" a governor of a poor state, but there were several other worthy Democratic Congressman who Clinton could have picked. Clinton might have gained a few green votes from tapping Gore, but not much.
While Cheney supposedly gave Dubya Washington experience and gravitas, I seriously doubt he added many, if any, votes beyond what Dubya would have gotten had he chosen any of a number of other prominent Rethugs.
Just how critical is the VP to the success of a presidential ticket? Like the job's duties, I think the role of the VP in determining which party wins the White House is minimal. So why not make a bold statement?
Sharpton's potential advantages:
- Energize the base, to include but not limited to boosting black voter participation. If the nomination race were decided by which candidate's lines get the loudest applause at debates and other joint speaking engagements, the Reverend would have this wrapped up already. The choir would come from miles around to hear the Reverend preach about the evils of the Bush administration. Sharpton might be critical to someone such as Dean who doesn't seem to strongly appeal to the black community, and Sharpton's passion would benefit any of the other likely Dems, to include Dean.
- Being the advocate for the poor (regardless of race), and repeatedly hitting on the theme of the growing gap between Main Street and Wall Street. Heck, in Sharpton's hands, John Edward's hot theme of wealth vs. work would truly sing.
- Debating Dick Cheney. Can you picture Sharpton slicing Cheney--the epitome of cold, repressive old white guy--into crusty shreds? Talk about must-see TV!
I'm not sure America is ready for a black VP who doesn't act like a white man (e.g., Colin Powell), and Sharpton's baggage might be too much to bare, but desperate times call for bold action.
Besides, once */Sharpton ousts Bush/Cheney, the GOP will be paralyzed by the fear that something might happen to the Dem president. I envision Republicans demanding that President Dean/Clark/Edwards/Kerry/Gephardt limit all non-essential travel and that the Secret Service be doubled in size.