During his trip to New York Wednesday President Obama stopped by the Sheraton Hotel for the 20th anniversary celebration of the National Action Network the civil rights organization founded by activist and political gadfly Al Sharpton. In his remarks the president had some light-hearted and affectionate words for Sharpton and he also expressed apparently heartfelt admiration for the controversial civil rights leaders work.
I told Reverend Al backstage hes getting skinnier than me the president said with Sharpton nearby. Hes getting skinnier than Spike. Filmmaker Spike Lee also attended the event. But he hasnt lost his sense of style.
The other thing that hasnt changed Obama continued is the National Action Networks commitment to fight injustice and inequality here in New York City and across America. And thats not only a testament to Reverend Sharpton. Its a testament to all of you who are here tonight. I want to commend you for the work that youve done over the last two decades to lift up not only the African American community but the broader American family. Thats what youre about.
Sharptons organization has done more than just fight injustice and inequality. The National Action Network has also been a key part of Sharptons unorthodox finances after Sharptons image-damaging roles in the Tawana Brawley hoax the Crown Heights riot the Freddies Fashion Mart killings and other infamous episodes. The non-profit Network is reportedly part of a web of organizations that allows Sharpton to live and prosper while claiming to have virtually no assets. As the New York Times reported in December 2000:
He says he owns no suits but has access to a dozen or so. He says he owns no television set because the one he watches in his home was purchased by a company he runs. He says he has no checking accounts no savings accounts no credit cards no debit cards no mutual funds no stocks no bonds no paintings no antiques. The only thing he admits to owning is a $300 wristwatch and a 20-year-old wedding ring.
Sharptons finances the Times continued have a somewhat troubled history.
He was indicted on charges of income tax fraud and stealing from charitable donors in 1989 but was eventually acquitted at a trial. In 1993 he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to file a tax return for 1986. His eponymous promotional company has no official documents on record with the state. As recently as two years ago he drew no salary but he still manages to send his daughters to an expensive and respected private school.
None of that and certainly none of Sharptons involvement in events like the Brawley hoax was the subject of discussion when President Obama took the podium to sing Sharptons praises Wednesday. Although Obama kept some distance from Sharpton in the 2008 presidential campaign 2012 is approaching and having alienated many independent voters Obama needs a strong turnout from his base.
The men will both benefit from the meeting Democratic political strategist Hank Sheinkopf told the New York Daily News. This shows clout and power for Sharpton and for Obama the message hes sending is clear: Im African-American Im protecting my base and Al Sharpton is going to help me do it.
During his trip to New York Wednesday President Obama stopped by the Sheraton Hotel for the 20th anniversary celebration of the National Action Network the civil rights organization founded by activist and political gadfly Al Sharpton. In his remarks the president had some light-hearted and affectionate words for Sharpton and he also expressed apparently heartfelt admiration for the controversial civil rights leaders work.
I told Reverend Al backstage hes getting skinnier than me the president said with Sharpton nearby. Hes getting skinnier than Spike. Filmmaker Spike Lee also attended the event. But he hasnt lost his sense of style.
The other thing that hasnt changed Obama continued is the National Action Networks commitment to fight injustice and inequality here in New York City and across America. And thats not only a testament to Reverend Sharpton. Its a testament to all of you who are here tonight. I want to commend you for the work that youve done over the last two decades to lift up not only the African American community but the broader American family. Thats what youre about.
Sharptons organization has done more than just fight injustice and inequality. The National Action Network has also been a key part of Sharptons unorthodox finances after Sharptons image-damaging roles in the Tawana Brawley hoax the Crown Heights riot the Freddies Fashion Mart killings and other infamous episodes. The non-profit Network is reportedly part of a web of organizations that allows Sharpton to live and prosper while claiming to have virtually no assets. As the New York Times reported in December 2000:
He says he owns no suits but has access to a dozen or so. He says he owns no television set because the one he watches in his home was purchased by a company he runs. He says he has no checking accounts no savings accounts no credit cards no debit cards no mutual funds no stocks no bonds no paintings no antiques. The only thing he admits to owning is a $300 wristwatch and a 20-year-old wedding ring.
Sharptons finances the Times continued have a somewhat troubled history.
He was indicted on charges of income tax fraud and stealing from charitable donors in 1989 but was eventually acquitted at a trial. In 1993 he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to file a tax return for 1986. His eponymous promotional company has no official documents on record with the state. As recently as two years ago he drew no salary but he still manages to send his daughters to an expensive and respected private school.
None of that and certainly none of Sharptons involvement in events like the Brawley hoax was the subject of discussion when President Obama took the podium to sing Sharptons praises Wednesday. Although Obama kept some distance from Sharpton in the 2008 presidential campaign 2012 is approaching and having alienated many independent voters Obama needs a strong turnout from his base.
The men will both benefit from the meeting Democratic political strategist Hank Sheinkopf told the New York Daily News. This shows clout and power for Sharpton and for Obama the message hes sending is clear: Im African-American Im protecting my base and Al Sharpton is going to help me do it.
