Dems Skip AIPAC, But Not Sharpton’s NAN [OPINION]

Every candidate for the Democrat presidential nomination skipped the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) gathering in Washington, D.C. a couple of weeks back, but almost all have scrambled to attend Al Sharpton's National Action Network (NAN) convention this week in New York.

Rising stars Beto O’Rourke and Pete Buttigieg are among those who have made the journey to grovel at Sharpton's feet, and Liz Warren, Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders were scheduled to address the convention today. Expect a lot of talk about white privilege and reparations as the ass-kissing begins for Sharpton's approval.

For many in the African-American community, Sharpton remains a folk hero. I'm not really sure why that is, but he is. He has always put his own self-interests far ahead of the interests of the African-American community, but he has a big mouth and an adoring media that has made him the official mouthpiece for everyone black.

Interesting to note that while all of the Democrat candidates turned their backs on the AIPAC gathering, they rush to Sharpton, who has had quite a history with New York's Jewish community. Fox News reminds us that Sharpton "was accused of inciting violence and riots against Jews in New York in the early 1990s and has reportedly used anti-Semitic descriptions such as 'bloodsucking Jews' and 'diamond merchants.'"

But Sharpton told Politico in 2017 that President Trump “has empowered anti-Semites and racists” and “brought them from the shadows into the mainstream.” And according to Fox, Sharpton said Trump’s Young Black Leadership Summit was "shameful," and he accused Trump of "using" young African-American conservatives as "props."

Sharpton, who had a revolving door account at the White House when Barack and Michelle lived there, owes millions in back taxes to the U.S. and the state of New York. He is racist, apparently anti-Semitic, divisive, an alleged extortionist and an opportunist, yet the Democrats beat a path to his door to attempt to win his approval.

Kind of reminds me of Mitt Romney crawling on his belly to beg for a job from President Trump.

In my view, Al Sharpton is a disgusting human being. The Democrats should be disavowing him, not worshiping him. Any candidate that seeks to validate him or herself by winning a Sharpton endorsement is every bit as repulsive to me.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.