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Candidate Bio
Al Sharpton
Political affiliation:
Democratic Party
Born:
October 3, 1954
Brooklyn, NY
Personal:
Married to singer Kathy Jordan. Two children. Pentecostal.
Occupation:
Minister
Education:
Attended Brooklyn College, 1973-75
Experience:
Candidate for State Senate, 1978; Candidate for US Senate, 1992 & 1994; Candidate for New York City Mayor, 1997. Licensed and ordained a Minister at age 10 ; appointed Junior Pastor of the Washington Temple congregation. Founder & President, National Action Network, 1991-present. Founder, National Youth Movement, 1971. Road Manager for singer James Brown, 1973-80.
On the Issues

Highlights

Sharpton's speech to the Democratic National Convention (6/28/03)
Links and Resources
Web site:
Document al2004.org
Campaign contributors:
Document Political Money Line
Candidate Pages

Al Sharpton

SNAPSHOT
Al Sharpton was one of only two candidates not named Kerry still in the race by the time Democrats held their national convention in Boston in July 2004. But he pulled out of the race, and was given a prime-time speaking role. Taking 20 minutes to speak, when he was given only 6, Sharpton electrified the delegates with a spirited rebuke of President George W. Bush, in what was a carefully scripted convention that sought to avoid direct attacks on Bush.

Hardly a word about Al Sharpton has been written in the mainstream media without "controversial" being placed before his name. Critics say he's little more than a publicity seeker who straddles the line of right and wrong. Time magazine says Sharpton views the campaign as his chance to displace Rev. Jesse Jackson as the icon of black leadership in America. He's a liberal Democrat who thinks the party's move to the center has come at the expense of the poor and minorities. He first gained national attention in the 1980s for defending Tawanna Brawley, who claimed to the victim of a racial attack. It turned out to be a hoax. Past political aspirations were muted by the 2002 HBO airing of a film showing Sharpton allegedly aggreeing to participate in money laundering for illegal, Mafia-connected cocaine deals; a tape which Sharpton said was an FBI set-up.

Vice presidential candidates campaign in Minnesota
Vice President Dick Cheney and his Democratic challenger, John Edwards, brought their campaigns to Minnesota on Monday. Cheney spoke to a group of nearly 500 supporters at the Minnesota State Fair, while Edwards spoke to thousands of supporters at an AFL-CIO Labor Day rally in St. Paul.
Presidential campaigning ramps up again in Minnesota
One day after President Bush formally accepted his party's nomination for re-election, the president and his surrogates have fanned across the country to launch the general campaign season. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., was part of the team, landing in Minnesota to rally Republicans at the State Fair. Of course, Democratic candidate John Kerry was at the fair on opening day. And Vice-President Dick Cheney is expected there on Labor Day, while Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards will be across town at a Labor Day picnic on Harriet Island. MPR's Michael Khoo reports on the uptick in campaigning.
Side by side presidential rallies at the fair
Bush and Kerry supporters converge on Carousel Park for side by side presidential rallies and try to convince "Minnesota's last undecided voter." Gary Eichten is joined on stage by two political commentators for this special Minnesota Public Radio Day at the State Fair event.
Minnesota Republicans head home
Minnesota delegates to the Republican National Convention say President Bush laid out a vision several described as "strong," and though the election is two months away, they think the momentum is with their candidate. Democrats say the convention's harsh attacks against Democrat John Kerry will turn off the undecided voters Republicans want to persuade.
Bush says 'we will prevail' over terrorism; Kerry calls president unfit to lead
President Bush picked apart John Kerry's record on the Iraq war and tax cuts Thursday night, and summoned the nation toward victory over terrorism and economic security at home. "Nothing will hold us back," he said in a Republican National Convention acceptance speech that launched his fall re-election campaign. Kerry couldn't wait to counter the attacks on his record, calling Bush unfit to lead and saying he misled the nation into the Iraq war.
Bush: Fighting terror 'not for pride,' but to protect Americans
President Bush, his first term shadowed by war, promises to fight terrorists "not for pride, not for power" but to keep America safe. In excerpts of his acceptance speech, the Republican incumbent predicted that voters will want four more years of "steady, consistent, principled leadership."
Zell Miller and Dick Cheney at the RNC
We continue our week of highlights from the Republican National Convention with the remarks of Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga. The two speakers took off the gloves and delivered stinging attacks on Democratic Democratic candidate John Kerry.
Re-electing a president
With President George W. Bush taking to the stage at the Republican National Convention in New York on Thursday evening, we talk politics with the Midwest chair of his re-election campaign.
Zell Miller: Then and now
Georgia Sen. Zell Miller, keynote speaker at this year's Republican National Convention, also was the keynote speaker at the 1992 Democratic National Convention. Here's a look at some of the remarks he made 12 years ago and his statements Wednesday.
Republicans launch double-barreled attack against Kerry
Vice President Dick Cheney unleashed a stinging attack on Sen. John Kerry Wednesday night, ridiculing him as a politician who has made a career out of changing his mind. "More wrong, more weak and more wobbly than any other national figure," agreed Sen. Zell Miller, a Democratic keynoter at the Republican National Convention.
Dick Cheney: a man of influence, but still in the background
Dick Cheney, known for being whisked off to undisclosed locations, doesn't much mind hiding away. In a string of high-profile jobs - as President Ford's chief of staff, as a GOP leader in the House, as secretary of defense - Cheney has rarely sought, or attracted, the limelight. These days he is one of the most divisive figures in politics.
RNC Highlights: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Laura Bush
We bring you the highlights from the second night of the Republican National Convention in New York City, including the remarks of First Lady Laura Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Republicans talk politics
Thousands of delegates, journalists and protesters have descended on New York City for the 2004 Republican National Convention. We'll discuss the party platform as well as the speeches and the issues that are at the center of this political gathering.
First lady hails husband's fight against terrorism
Republican National Convention co-stars Laura Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger commended President Bush to the country for four more years Tuesday night, hailing him as a man of strength leavened by compassion. "You can count on him, especially in a crisis," said the first lady.
Highlights from the Republican National Convention
We bring you highlights from the first night of the Republican National Convention in New York City, including the remarks of Arizona Sen. John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City.

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