KERRY AND EDWARDS HEED SHARPTON’S CALL FOR INCLUSION IN DEBATE
Challenges
Democratic Candidates to Debate in Harlem
by Rachel
Noerdlinger
New York— (2/20/04)
Presidential candidate, Rev. Al Sharpton today commended John Edwards and
John Kerry for backing away from a proposal for one-on-one debates against
each other after Sharpton expressed outrage at opposition to the proposed
California Larry King Debate and a plan for one on one debates in Atlanta
that was reported on Fox News Channel and the Atlanta Journal
Constitution. Sharpton thanked the Kerry and Edwards for heeding his
call for inclusion in the upcoming debates so that the American communities
he represents “can keep a place on the dais so that we may continue to
strive for a place at the table.”
“I commend John Edwards and John Kerry
for realizing that Presidential debates should not be an exclusive club, but
should be open to all major candidates— especially those who have won
delegates and clearly represent an important part of the American
electorate,” said Sharpton. “Edwards has correctly spoken of the need to
bridge the gap between the ‘Two Americas.’ How can we do this if we exclude
the voices of urban minority populations from the national debate? I am
pleased that both candidates agree with me that the full mosaic of America
should have a place in our national debate.”
“Being invited to our currently
scheduled Democratic Presidential debates is not enough- that should be a
given,” added Sharpton. “It is vital that all Democrats realize that we
cannot beat Bush without reaching out to America’s urban
communities—therefore I challenge all the remaining Democratic Presidential
candidates to debate me anytime, at any location in Harlem.”
In recent weeks Rev. Sharpton’s
campaign has made great strides, taking third place in South Carolina, and
winning delegates and surpassing Edwards in urban areas with second place
finishes in Washington D.C. and Detroit while outperforming better-funded
opponents such as Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman and Wes Clark.
“I am only candidate speaking to urban
voters everyday and scoring victories in minority communities in each
Primary,” said Sharpton. “Now more than ever it is essential that we come
together to engage communities of color living in our cities to increase
turnout to get rid of George Bush.”
Rev. Sharpton will continue to
concentrate his national grassroots effort to mobilize support in urban
areas of key states across the nation including Buffalo, Atlanta, Oakland,
Los Angeles and New York City to maximize minority turnout for the Super
Tuesday Primaries March 2.
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