NEW
YORK (AP) - Civil rights activist Al Sharpton said
Monday he is seriously considering a run for president. "I
don't hear any reason not to," Sharpton, 52, said in
an interview during an urban affairs conference sponsored
by another civil rights leader, the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
"If
we're talking about the urban agenda, can you tell me anybody
else in the field who's representing that right now?"
Sharpton asked. "We clearly have a reason to run, and
whether we do it or not we'll see over the next couple of
months."
Sharpton
mounted a long-shot bid for the White House in 2004,
in which his wit and fiery denunciation of President
Bush often enlivened Democratic primary debates. He
dropped out of the race after losing several state primaries
and endorsed the eventual nominee, Massachusetts Sen.
John Kerry.
Despite
widespread interest in the likely candidacy of another
influential black Democrat, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama,
Sharpton said he's heard little substantive discussion
of issues that might influence his decision about running.
"Right
now we're hearing a lot of media razzle dazzle,"
Sharpton said. "I'm not hearing a lot of meat,
or a lot of content. I think when the meat hits the
fire, we'll find out if it's just fat or if there's
some real meat there."
Sharpton
said the candidate who impressed him most so far was
former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who has made
poverty the central issue of his campaign.
Sharpton
ran for the Senate from New York in 1988, 1992 and 1994,
and ran for New York City mayor in 1997.
Email
This Article To A Friend
