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Al Sharpton
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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. Clinton advisor and Gore backer turns Bush booster Political consultant Dick Morris is often credited with propelling Bill Clinton into the White House for a second term, despite having to resign before the campaign ended amid a prostitution scandal. He's not a Democrat, though. An avowed independent, Morris voted for Al Gore in 2000, but this year, he's thrown his support behind President George W. Bush. He explained his politics and offered his analysis of the American political process at the Commonwealth Club of California on August 10. ( 08/23/2004) Bush campaign targets Wisconsin, Minnesota in latest swing President George W. Bush is in Crawford, Texas, resting after a bus tour that took him through Wisconsin and Minnesota. The president made a campaign stop on Wednesday just across the St. Croix River in Hudson, Wis., followed by a rally at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. He repeated many of the campaign's familiar themes on the economy and the war in Iraq. But he also opened the dialogue slightly by inviting audience members to pepper him with questions. (08/19/2004) Kerry campaign official attacks Bush on war, veterans issues The war of words over which presidential candidate is a better ally of troops and veterans made its way to the state Capitol grounds Wednesday as former Georgia Sen. Max Cleland led a "Veterans for Kerry" rally hours ahead of President Bush's campaign stop in St. Paul. (08/18/2004) Presidential politics With President George W. Bush coming to Minnesota for the third time in a little over a month, we talk with one of our political analysts about the state of the 2004 presidential campaign. Both the President and Democratic candidate John Kerry are campaigning unusually hard both in Minnesota and in swing states across the nation in what Arizona Sen. John McCain has called "the bitterest, most unsavory campaign in the nation's history." ( 08/18/2004) Presidential politics in western Wisconsin President George W. Bush's campaign visit to Hudson, Wisconsin, in the western part of the state, is a nod to that area's population growth. But, even though it is in Wisconsin, the area is considered part of the Twin Cities media market. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with professor Tracy Gladstone-Sovell, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin -- River Falls, about the presidential politics of that part of the state. (08/18/2004) Edwards discusses health care on a Belle Plaine front porch It has been a busy couple of weeks of presidential politics in Minnesota, and there's no sign the campaign pace will slow down. President Bush will be back in the state next week for a campaign rally in downtown St. Paul. Friday evening, Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards rallied supporters gathered in the Twin Cities suburb of Rosemount. He campaigns in Belle Plaine, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota Saturday. (08/14/2004) O'Grady: Kerry's actions after Vietnam constituted treason Scott O'Grady, the Air Force pilot who captured headlines in 1995 when he survived being shot down over Bosnia, on Friday said Sen. John Kerry committed "treason" during the Vietnam War. (08/13/2004) Laura Bush woos female business owners First lady Laura Bush made a campaign stop in central Minnesota Tuesday, visiting a quilt shop in the city of Waite Park near St. Cloud. After a tour through rows of colorful fabric, the first lady spoke to a crowd of female business owners. Laura Bush said her husband's policies are strengthening the nation's small businesses. Meanwhile, a group of Democratic businesswomen in St. Cloud say the president hasn't done enough. They spent the morning touting John Kerry's proposals to strengthen small business. (08/10/2004) The role of the first lady President George W. Bush has been warming up crowds at campaign rallies lately with the applause line: "I'm going to give you some reasons why I think you need to put me back in office, but perhaps the most important reason of all is so that Laura will be First Lady for four more years." The crowd cheers, presumably expressing their preference for the president's wife over Theresa Heinz Kerry. And although the First Lady has no official duties, it's clear that the electorate pays attention to the people married to the candidates. But what does the American public expect from the First Lady? An activist? Someone who stays out of political fray? Or somehow both things at once? ( 08/10/2004) Vice President Cheney visits East Grand Forks Vice-President Dick Cheney visited East Grand Forks, Minnesota on Friday. Cheney's visit is part of a Republican push to win in Minnesota this fall. Traditionally a stronghold for Democrats in the presidential election, Minnesota is seen as a battleground state in 2004. (08/06/2004) Farmers, hunters turn out for Bush stop in southern Minnesota Minnesota is becoming familiar territory for President Bush. On Wednesday, the president made his 10th visit to the state since taking office. The purpose of the trip was two-fold. At a stop in LeSueur, he announced plans to expand a popular federal initiative called the Conservation Reserve Program. It pays farmers to take highly erodible land out of crop production. Later in the afternoon, he led a re-election rally in Mankato, where he encouraged several thousand supporters to get out the vote. (08/05/2004) President Bush visits Minnesota President Bush campaigns in LeSueur and Mankato. Political science professor Chris Gilbert discusses residential politics in Minnesota. ( 08/04/2004) DFL mayor of St. Paul supports Bush re-election St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly, a lifelong DFLer, is boarding a plane today, and touring the state with Republicans who support President George W. Bush. Mayor Kelly came out yesterday in support of the president's re-election campaign. Kelly's announcement comes just three days after the Democratic Party nominated Sen. John Kerry for president. Kelly's tour around the state brings him, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and Republican State House Speaker Steve Sviggum to Rochester and Duluth. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly. (08/02/2004) St. Paul mayor supports Bush for re-election St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly broke Democratic Party ranks on Sunday to announce his support for President Bush's re-election. Kelly said he's remaining a Democrat, however. (08/01/2004) John Kerry's acceptence speech To absolutely no one's surprise Sen. John Kerry was officially nominated by his party on Wednesday night, garnering 4,255 votes, with Ohio Rep. Denis Kucinich taking a distant second place with 37. We bring you his Thursday night acceptence speech. ( 07/30/2004) More News & Features
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