OPINION

Published Monday, November 17, 2003
Witty Sharpton Surprises Skeptics
By Joanna Durham
APPIAN STAFF WRITER

When Reverend Sharpton came to the Kennedy School this month for the live taping of "Hardball: Battle for the Whitehouse" on MSNBC, I was one of the lucky few who managed to procure a ticket. I, like many critics, haven't taken Al Sharpton too seriously. His meager fundraising, lack of political experience, and radical activism led me to doubt his run for the presidency will surpass the primary election.

I was a skeptic, and I considered Sharpton little more than a media hound. But the person I saw several Tuesdays ago at the debate was intelligent, titillating, and sincere with a keen sense of humor. Host Chris Matthews baited the Reverend time after time, and Sharpton responded with humor and passion.

Matthews seemed to enjoy debating with his passionate guest and they conversed enthusiastically during the commercial breaks. During one such break, Matthews asked Sharpton if he were wearing an earplug in which someone was feeding him lines. He demonstrated his quick wit by responding, "He that speaketh to me doesn't need an earplug." This was just one example of how he kept the audience laughing with his sharp responses.

As entertaining as the forum was, however, Sharpton's stellar sense of humor could not cover a somewhat vague knowledge of current political situations. For example, Sharpton said that he supported an independent Puerto Rico, but when asked if the Puerto Rican people wanted to be independent, he did not know. He just suggested that if they wanted to be independent, the U.S. would probably respond with military force, and he did not support the use of force.

So how does Reverend Sharpton stand on education issues? He is calling for increased support of the Title 1 and Headstart programs, increased teacher salaries, and incentives to attract new teachers to the profession. When reviewing the "Top Ten" list on his website the only education initiative mentioned in his platform was to declare education a universal human right.

Sharpton is pro-choice, anti-death penalty, and pro-affirmative action. He is passionate about the HIV/AIDS situation in Africa. He also wants to promote peace on the African continent, saying he is for increasing "not only aid, but trade" to support peaceful, democratic regimes.

He had no qualms about admitting his distaste for President George W. Bush or the war in Iraq. When asked how Sharpton planned to win the election, he slyly replied, "Unlike the present occupant, I plan to get the most votes."

I doubt very much that Reverend Al Sharpton will get the votes needed to win the Democratic Primary, but he is sure to add spice to the process. With his quick wit and snappy responses, he'll keep his opponents on their toes. Sharpton did not yet succeed in winning my vote, but he certainly won my respect and seemingly that of the cynical Harvard crowd on debate night.

And Sharpton's take on Harvard? He stated, "I would've loved to come to Harvard. I'm sure Harvard would have made me different, and I'm sure I would've made Harvard different." After hearing Reverend Sharpton speak, I think he's probably right.

For more information on Reverend Al Sharpton's campaign check out the following web address: http://www.al2004.org/platform.htm. Former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand Carol Moseley Braun will be the featured candidate on “Hardball: Battle for the Whitehouse” at the Kennedy School of Government this week.

Joanna Durham, a member of the Appian Board of Editors, is a masters candidate in the International Education Policy program.