The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney: Sharpton Callers Still Attacking Democrats, Obama

SO MUCH FOR THAT

Reverend Sticks Toe In Water, Quickly Retreats

Poor Al Sharpton: it would be so much easier to take issues-related calls during his syndicated talk show, but every time he sticks his toe in the water, along comes a shark to bite it right off.

While the reverend would prefer to stick to upbeat messages about Obama and the Democrats, his listening audience would much rather vent their rage. They've made it clear they've supported the president in the past.

Over time, he's seemingly pulled back on topical call-ins as a result (other segments dedicated to prophetic readings and non-political chatter remain).

We've been tracking this fascinating trend for over a year, with each example revealing his increasing frustration with the futility of trying to keep a happy face on the Obama years.

From Tuesday's show, here's one self-described Sharpton fan furious with Chicago's Democratic machine, which he describes as "abusive". Listen as Al struggles to get back on message:

SEAN IN CHICAGO (33:59): Reverend Al, I’ve been following you since the eighties ever since Tawana Brawley, brother you’ve had a place in my heart that is special.

But, I’m from Chicago and the Democrats here can’t stand on their record Reverend Al. That’s why the people are not coming out to vote because they’ve been abused and misused. And I would just like to end with this that the Democratic Party has controlled the state government for at least ten or fifteen years.

The Democratic Party has controlled Chicago for at least 50 years and the blacks in Chicago and the blacks in the State of Illinois are worse off here Reverend Al, you should come to Chicago so that you can see how bad they treat the people and now you gonna ask the people that you’ve been beaten down smacked up for ten or fifteen years to vote for me?

I’m not that ignorant Reverend Al. I’m not going to keep expecting different results doing the same thing. Love you brother, out of here.

AL SHARPTON: Let me ask you a question, now that the mayor’s seat is open, the mayor announced he’s not running, what is the community going to do about that? That’s not up to the party, that’s up to the people. What are you all going to do about that? Hello?

Well, I guess I don’t get an answer to that one, Sean. See, I think that a lot of what we say is correct, but the challenge is that when you get an opportunity, do we organize? And I know better than most about the legitimate rights of blacks in Chicago. I want to know what they’re going to do that this mayor’s seat’s available. That ain’t on the party. That’s whether we can get past the egos and the fratricide in the leadership in our own community.