« Previous | Main | Next »

Sharpton to Bill Clinton: 'Shut Up'

Share

January 28, 2008 2:32 PM

ABC News' Rick Klein Reports: Rev. Al Sharpton on Monday weighed in on the raging debate inside the Democratic Party over former President Bill Clinton's advocacy on behalf of his wife's campaign, with two choice words for the former president: "Shut up."

On ABC's "The View," Sharpton said voters are hearing "race charges, race-tinged rhetoric" in the Democratic primary campaign, and called on the former president to cease.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

"I think it's time for him to just be quiet," said Sharpton, who was a Democratic presidential candidate in 2004. "I think it's time for him to stop. As one of the most outspoken people in America, there's a time to shut up, and I think that time has come."

Sharpton didn't say which comments in particular bothered him. But many Democrats were particularly upset that the former president made an explicit comparison of Obama's campaign to Jesse Jackson's victories in South Carolina in 1984 and 1988, in an apparent attempt to explain why his wife didn't win the South Carolina primary on Saturday.

For his part, Jackson told The New York Times that he wasn't bothered by the comparison. Still, he told the newspaper that he had spoken to both Obama and President Clinton over the weekend, and told both to "take it to a higher ground."

January 28, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (464)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Here on the plains, this is a riot!

Posted by: plainsmm | Jan 28, 2008 3:19:23 PM

Hee-hee! This is the pot calling the kettle blacker. Why don't both of these slimeballs shut up?

Posted by: Meredith H. | Jan 28, 2008 3:19:29 PM

honestly, when did that race baiting bigot, sharpton, get so much legitimacy?... i dont ever recall him being made to apologize to pagonis & co back during the tawana brawley mess... people need to stop caring about what this moron has to say.

Posted by: redding moose | Jan 28, 2008 3:20:14 PM

I voted for Bill Clinton twice. For some reason,I never noticed how undermining he could be in order to acheive his goal. Has anyone question the Clintons regarding those skeletons in their closet? Has anyone question how he can be a co-partner with Hillary considering he was disbarred and left the office not as an honest person. He strove to lie, cheat and make lots of money from his White House years. I am concerned because I feel that this is only going a history making event, only to benefit the Clintons and not being concerned about us.

Posted by: leslie | Jan 28, 2008 3:20:42 PM

Thank you Al! I wouldve voted for you in 04 if I were old enough since Dean dropped out.

Posted by: James | Jan 28, 2008 3:21:49 PM

If anyone can recognize race baiting, its Sharpton. Its fun to watch the democrats turn on their own offspring. Funny Clinton's lies didn't seem to matter too much when the subject was republicans...the distortion and outright falsehoods were applauded by folks such as Sharpton, Kennedy etc.

Welcome to the party Obama, although with the Clintons, it started in 1992

Posted by: nmh | Jan 28, 2008 3:21:52 PM

The "First Black President" being told to shut up. Wow, how fast they turn on each other.

Where is the unity, where is the love?

Oh, I forgot, politicians will say and do anything to get elected. Even if it is for the office of First Lady!

Posted by: webo | Jan 28, 2008 3:22:02 PM

Finally, what we've known about the Democrat party all along, they focus on RACE on nearly every issue. Chickens do come home to roost!

Posted by: Arcy | Jan 28, 2008 3:23:07 PM

I hate Al Sharpton with an unwaivering passion. The man lives off of the race issue, and in doing so only KEEPS that wedge between white and black in place. If Al Sharpton didn't exist, our society would be a lot closer to being colorblind, and race wouldn't be a big issue. BUT, that would leave the racist prick w/o a job or purpose in life.

I'm out.

Posted by: Jeff | Jan 28, 2008 3:23:18 PM

Finally! All of you libs get to see what everyone else has known for years! The Clintons dont love one another, they love power! They will do anything, say anything and lie to EVERYONE to get what they want! Welcome to the Democratic Party 2008! Home of class warfare, race baiting and outright lying since 1992! Sorry Al, tell the rest of the rhyming reverends that Bill Clinton cant stop himself because, after all, it's all about him! The further he goes, the better for Obama...Which means good news for all of us evil white guys! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Posted by: JD | Jan 28, 2008 3:23:37 PM

Let me get this straight, 78% of blacks in SC supported Obama and 78% of white supported Clinton and Edwards, but race isn't an issue? Not talking about race won't make it go away. Both Obama and Hillary have used race in a divisive way but Obama has just be smoother than the clumsy Bill Clinton.

Posted by: Joe Nada | Jan 28, 2008 3:24:07 PM

This little doggie is laughing, at the dish running away with the spoon!

Oops! That's a fairy tale!

Posted by: Stan | Jan 28, 2008 3:24:25 PM

Hate-Politics/Clintons; go hand in hand!

Posted by: Listin Up | Jan 28, 2008 3:25:24 PM

Why can't they all get along? Where is the love? They need to sit down together and settle their differences and stop this immature squabbling. I mean, really; how does this exchange help matters? If they don't agree to get along, they'd both better just shut up!

Posted by: Dr. Phil | Jan 28, 2008 3:25:25 PM

OUCH.

Posted by: QUESTION HILLARY tm | Jan 28, 2008 3:25:28 PM

Mike Barnes, I believe your beloved Bill Clinton is a proven perjurer and harasser. Watch who you call a criminal.


Jariah, You might be right that Obama has no chance of being president but I hope you realize that neither does Hillary.

Posted by: MikeinOhio | Jan 28, 2008 3:25:29 PM

J. Murphy - Its a shame that hes allowed handlers to take him in the directions that he has gone.

There's a thing called personal responsibility and holding someone accountable for his actions. Can't blame EVERYTHING on someone else.

Posted by: Randy | Jan 28, 2008 3:26:20 PM

For a change Rev Sharpton said something useful.
I do not want Hillary to become president because of what the "first husband" could potentially do to our country.
Imagine the spouse of the president being arrested and tried for committing serious sexual crimes. He's done it before, he'll do it again.
In this case, Rev S, let Bill run off at the mouth so that Hillary loses.

Posted by: Clift | Jan 28, 2008 3:26:23 PM

Pardon the expression, but is this not "The Pot Calling the Kettle Black."

Posted by: Bob | Jan 28, 2008 3:26:26 PM

That's exacly what we deserve. One one side, a race of socialists focusing on race and gender, both eager to take their socialists to the white house and run the middle class to the ground. On the other side, a race of liberal Republicans. There is no difference between the parties, wake up idiots.
It is time we keep them out of the White House and elect the only candidate who wants YOU to keep your OWN money in your paycheck. I think you know who is the only candidate who wants you to keep your own money, right?

Posted by: Charlie Sr. | Jan 28, 2008 3:26:46 PM

Post a comment