Presidential Candidate John Kerry Opens Door for Rival Sharpton to Address

[tritsofme]

BET NIGHTLY NEWS Sets Two-Part Interview With the Projected Democratic Nominee on May 3 and 4; Series Preview Tonight at 11 p.m. ET/PT


NEW YORK, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- In what may be a surprising move to some political circles, Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) has issued an invitation to former Democratic Primary rival Rev. Al Sharpton to address this summer's Democratic National Convention in Boston. Senator Kerry makes his comments tonight in an exclusive one-on-one interview with BET NIGHTLY NEWS anchor Jacque Reid at 11 p.m. ET/PT as a prelude to a special two-part series with BET airing Monday, May 3 and Tuesday, May 4. The interview was taped earlier today with Senator Kerry during a campaign stop in Philadelphia.
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The following are excerpts from Senator Kerry's comments to BET NIGHTLY NEWS about whether Rev. Sharpton would be an invited speaker at the Democratic National Convention:

On Rev. Al Sharpton as a Speaker at the DNC ...

Kerry: "I hope so. Sure ... That's my call ... If he wants to do it, he can do it ... Let me just say to you ... if he wants to do it, I'd like him to do it. I think he'd do a terrific job. I think he'll add something ... there's no plea necessary. It's my invitation."

On Rev. Sharpton's Impact on the Presidential Campaign Season

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http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040429/dcth081_1.html

[wicket]

1. Sharpton is a great speaker

I will be interested in what he has to say.

[THUNDER HANDS]

2. oy

<sigh>

[Mountainman]

3. I really enjoyed Sharpton's paticipation in the debates.

He has a way of speaking the truth in a way that makes the opposition laughable.

[goclark]

11. Ditto

Rev. Al gave a sparkle to the debates and he said what needed to be said.
He said what the others were afraid to say.

[wicket]

13. Amen!!!

I think this is an awesome move by Kerry!

[Chicago Democrat]

16. I love AL SHARPTON

I love that man!

[Just Me]

19. Me, too!!!

He has the "hook" on humanity!!!

I love to hear him.

He is inspiring.

I want him here, with me, on the outside, pushing in on that "game" of politics!!!

I want him always being the "voice" of humanity.

[roguevalley]

4. He'll kick bush's behind. Good move.

[Skip Intro]

5. Good n/t

[skooooo]

6. I love Al!!

Wish we were hearing more from him now!

[notadmblnd]

10. I would like to see Al Sharpton become

John Kerrys press secretary. I love to listen to him speak against the bush administration.
edit: spelling

[skooooo]

14. lol...

Al's kind of remade himself, imo. Some of his past escapades with Twana Bradley, etc. turned a lot of people off. I think he was a great addition to the mix in the dem. nominee run-off. No one speaks like him. I agree, I'd like to see him deal with the Press in the Kerry administration -- wouldn't taht be a hoot??

[notadmblnd]

22. He'd be the one to tell press and the repukes

just exactly when and where to stick their drivel.

[crossroads]

7. He doesn't hold back...

and speaks what I love to hear!!! No mincing words and lets the truth out! Applause to a great move by Kerry...

[bluestateguy]

8. I'm sure that the Naderites will still bitch and complain.

Mind you, I have no objection to doing this, but I'm sure the Naderities will still whine for more.

[Dr Fate]

9. Why give them a foot in the door to bombard this thread?

Let the positive threads STAY positive, please.

[madeuplikebowie]

12. Good

Great move by kerry to include everyone. Sharpton's wit was refreshing during the primaries.

[Voltaire99]

21. Eeeew, what a repugnant post

Your tone is hardly an olive branch, and you really should learn to reach out. That's what politics is about. And that's what your man's chances are going to be all about.

Remember: Nader's polling at 5-6% nationally. Kerry only wins if Nader helps. Kerry only wins if the left helps. You won't be getting much help from NASCAR America, LOL!

Here's your homework. Take a deep breath and start learning how to build political bridges. Piece of advice? Try to sound like you mean it, me bucko. :-)

[jobycom]

15. Good. Now the question is, will he tell Sharpton the same thing

behind closed doors, or will he tell Sharpton to refuse to speak?

Sharpton should speak, I hope he does.

Kerry, however, should strike the phrase "let me just say to you" from his reportoire of stalling tactics. It sounds insincere, and he uses it too often. Just a personal opinion.

[Alpharetta]

17. I agree about Kerry needing a public speaking coach

He comes from "old school Democrat" speechifying.

A little Kennedy, a little Sen. Paul Simon.

Its tone lacks honesty. No heart to it.

[jobycom]

20. Bush Daddy spoke like that, too. So it can win.

But some of his stock phrases when he is thinking are two insincere. It's bad when he's being interviewed, because you can see the wheels turning. He was asked about opposition to the death penalty, and his answer was that he opposed it because he thought life in prison was a worse punishment. It was obvious he was making it up on the spot, crafting an answer that would make him seem less liberal. He needs to either speak his mind (that's when he's at his best), or practice more.

Did you watch his speech after Iowa? Teresa was stifling yawns through the whole thing!

[Just Me]

18. OMG!!! FABULOUS!!!

I am really growing a LOT of Love for Kerry.

He is proving himself to be INclusive!!! A "uniter"!!!!

He is a leader,...a real leader.