Reverend Al Sharpton, the national civil rights leader, radio and
television host, and founder and president of the National Action
Network (NAN), is emphatically disinterested in the nitty-gritty of
local politics and says that his support for New York City Mayor Bill de
Blasio is not unconditional.
Gotham Gazette sought comment from Sharpton on his relationship with
de Blasio, a first-term Democrat who is running for reelection this
year, and how he gauges the mayor’s leadership and record on police
reform, a focus issue for the reverend. When de Blasio came into office
in 2014, the two appeared especially close, but while de Blasio
continues to make appearances at NAN, there has been evidence of
distancing in recent years. Indeed, greater distance is something
Sharpton reinforced in a Tuesday interview with Gotham Gazette.
In an energetic 16-minute phone conversation, as he took a break from
recording his radio show, Sharpton explained his past support for the
mayor and the current dynamic between the two, while also refuting
analysis by political observers relayed to him by Gotham Gazette. Those
observers, long-time chroniclers of city politics, said Sharpton and de
Blasio’s relationship was one of mutual benefit, with Sharpton
maintaining both access to the mayor and distance enough from which to
criticize him. Meanwhile, Sharpton’s support for the mayor, multiple
experts argued, provides cover for the mayor’s record on police reform,
which many say has been less than satisfactory, while bolstering support
in the African-American community. At the same time, the perceived
daylight between the two allows de Blasio to maintain a better
relationship with the NYPD, many members, union leaders, and supporters
of which see Sharpton as an antagonist.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Gotham Gazette (via The Empire Report)
No comments:
Post a Comment