Sharpton Says Lieberman Tactic "Borders On Racism"

[Rose Siding]

.....Last week, Lieberman was at a private fundraiser in Manhattan. According to the New York Times, Lieberman described an appearance by Sharpton on stage with Lamont after his primary victory in August as a "remarkable moment," and pointed to it to question Lamont's commitment to Israel.

Yesterday, Sharpton sent a letter to Lieberman, hammering him for the comment. Sharpton accused Lieberman of "flagrant race baiting" and said he was undermining black-jewish relations. In response, Lieberman spokesperson Sun said the following:

Lieberman spokeswoman Tammy Sun dismissed the letter as "a baseless, extreme and divisive attack from one of Ned Lamont's closest advisers."

Reached by phone, Sharpton erupted. He said that asserting that he was a close Lamont adviser was false and amounted to guilt-by-association race-bating.

"Not only is that not true, but it shows a very ugly side of Joe Lieberman and his campaign," Sharpton said. "Was I adviser when I endorsed him for Vice President? I’ve given more advice to Joe Lieberman than I've given to Ned Lamont."

Sharpton also indulged in a bit of punditry, offering an explanation of the Lieberman camp's tactic. "They're trying to play to very conservative people, `Oh, with the liberals, Sharpton, Maxine Waters, Jesse Jackson,'" Sharpton said. "But they also want to drive a wedge between us and Lamont so black say, `Lamont's abandoning blacks.'"

Sharpton concluded: "It definitely borders on racism and I think it's beneath Joe Lieberman. It's so close to the border that he needs a passport. I might add that the only one who's brought up race in this campaign is them."

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/oct/10/ct_sen_lieberman_aide_says_sharptons_one_of_ned_lamonts_closest_advisers

[Zhade]

1. lieberman is foul; check my sig line.

NT!