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Al Sharpton “never sought absolution. He simply got away with it.” In today’s @washingtonpost I explain why the rehabbing of Sharpton isn’t exculpatory of those who praise him. It’s a massive indictment of American politics and culture washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/0…
Sharpton was invited to host Saturday Night Live during his presidential campaign in 2003, and appeared in Law & Order, Boston Legal and other shows plus movies like Mr. Deeds. Sound familiar? (The head of NBC programming at the time, btw? Jeff Zucker.)
In terms of politics, Sharpton’s brilliant maneuver was his presidential run. I explain how he forced a game of chicken: either Kerry, Dean et al would attack him and risk alienating black voters or they would let him stand with them and sanitize his record going forward: 
After that, Obama and de Blasio both relied on Sharpton to win their elections, and rewarded him with unprecedented access. He visited Obama’s White House more than 100 times, and de Blasio practically made him a deputy mayor—visibility he never had, even with Dinkins.
Elizabeth Warren called Sharpton a fighter for “justice.” But when Sharpton shouted for “justice,” innocent people died:
At Wednesday’s debate, @PeteButtigieg asked Republicans to consider when their stories are written, what they’ll say about supporting an avatar of bigotry. I asked Mayor Pete, who struck up a public alliance with Sharpton, the same question. So far, no answer.
Anyway read the whole thing as they say. Thanks all: washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/0…
Also, I introduce my term for the way Trump can get Democrats to beatify anyone and anything simply by attacking them: the undorsement. It’s going to continue unless Dems understand the trap they keep falling into and how it undermines their moral authority against the president.
