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Al Sharpton
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Al Sharpton was one of only two candidates not named Kerry still in the race by the time Democrats held their national convention in Boston in July 2004. But he pulled out of the race, and was given a prime-time speaking role. Taking 20 minutes to speak, when he was given only 6, Sharpton electrified the delegates with a spirited rebuke of President George W. Bush, in what was a carefully scripted convention that sought to avoid direct attacks on Bush. Hardly a word about Al Sharpton has been written in the mainstream media without "controversial" being placed before his name. Critics say he's little more than a publicity seeker who straddles the line of right and wrong. Time magazine says Sharpton views the campaign as his chance to displace Rev. Jesse Jackson as the icon of black leadership in America. He's a liberal Democrat who thinks the party's move to the center has come at the expense of the poor and minorities. He first gained national attention in the 1980s for defending Tawanna Brawley, who claimed to the victim of a racial attack. It turned out to be a hoax. Past political aspirations were muted by the 2002 HBO airing of a film showing Sharpton allegedly aggreeing to participate in money laundering for illegal, Mafia-connected cocaine deals; a tape which Sharpton said was an FBI set-up. Slicing the Spin: The Environment Midmorning examines the presidential candidates' plans for the environment. ( 10/13/2004) Bush, Kerry offer competing environmental visions When President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry visit Minnesota, they're likely to discuss the war in Iraq, jobs, the economy, and health care. But the two campaigns have given comparatively little time to environmental issues. That's despite what advocates on both sides say are clear and distinct differences between the two candidates. (10/13/2004) Cheney stays on the offensive in Rochester visit Vice President Dick Cheney campaigned in Rochester Tuesday on the eve of the last presidential debate. He spoke to an enthusiastic crowd about national defense and why President Bush deserves another term in office. According to Cheney, the differences between the candidates are clear. (10/12/2004) Where do the presidential candidates stand on health care? John Kerry and George W. Bush debate for the last time on Wednesday, and the topic is domestic policy. One of the biggest issues in that arena this year is the soaring cost of health care. Both of the candidates have plans for dealing with the problem, and they're quite different. Bush is emphasizing tax-free personal health savings accounts and medical malpractice reform. Kerry is offering to subsidize employer-based health insurance for the cost of catastrophic care and to give individuals access to the same health care plan available to many government employees. ( 10/12/2004) Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik Do you think government is way too big? That taxes and government spending should be cut in half? That the War in Iraq was a mistake? That public welfare should be replaced with private charity? That recreational drugs, assault weapons and gay marriage should all be legal? If so, then neither George W. Bush nor John Kerry agree with all of your positions, but Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik does. ( 10/11/2004) Edwards visits Minnesota, one day after Bush Minnesota demonstrated its battleground status over the weekend by attracting campaign visits by both Republican president George W. Bush and Democratic vice presidential hopeful John Edwards. Both candidates used the recent debates as ammunition for their positions. Bush spoke to an estimated 17,000 supporters at a park in Chanhassen Saturday, while Edwards spoke to an estimated 7,000 people at Maple Grove High School Sunday. (10/10/2004) Bush rallies Minnesota faithful On the heels of Friday's heated debate with John Kerry, President George W. Bush was in Minnesota on Saturdday. Before a huge crowd of supporters in a park in Chanhassen, Bush ripped Kerry and pledged to "whip" him on election day. (10/09/2004) Kerry blames Bush for deficit; president says Democrat will raise taxes In a heated debate rematch, Sen. John Kerry accused President Bush on Friday night of transforming huge budget surpluses into massive deficits with tax cuts for the rich during wartime. Bush said Kerry would have to raise taxes on middle-class Americans to pay for $2.2 trillion in new spending programs. "That's just reality," Bush insisted. (10/08/2004) How would John Kerry handle Iraq? Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke explained why he believes George W. Bush has mishandled the War in Iraq at the Cleveland City Club Forum on Thursday. Holbrooke, who is one of democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's senior foreign policy advisors, also outlined why he thinks Kerry would do a better job in Iraq. In response to an audience member's question, the former ambassador said that if Kerry was elected and asked him to serve as secretary of state, he would say 'yes.' ( 10/08/2004) A preview of the second presidential debate George W. Bush and John Kerry square off in St. Louis, Mo. on Friday night for the second of their three debates. Several polls show that the presidential race has tightened since the first debate in Coral Gables, Fla., which seemed to give some momentum to Kerry, the Democrat. We take the pulse of the campaign as it heads into its final weeks. ( 10/08/2004) Minneapolis neighbors hope to be players in campaign ad battle A group of south Minneapolis neighbors that wanted to get involved in the presidential race has produced its own campaign commercial. The spot has Osama bin Laden endorsing the Bush-Cheney re-election effort. The ad contends President Bush's approach to the war on terrorism is strengthening al Qaeda. Campaign finance observers say while independent expenditures are certainly nothing new in presidential policies, they have yet to hear about a few neighbors actually producing an ad. (10/08/2004) Slicing the Spin: education Midmorning takes a closer look at the issues at stake in this presidential election. Kerri Miller delves into education. Both candidates have made promises for K-12 students, but how far will they go? ( 10/06/2004) Education's role in the presidential campaign President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry have different approaches to education policy. Kerry says Bush is not calling for enough spending. Bush says Kerry's can't pay for his plan. (10/06/2004) Cheney, Edwards clash over Iraq in only vice presidential debate Sen. John Edwards accused the Bush administration Tuesday night of bungling the war in Iraq and presiding over a historic loss of jobs. "Your facts are just wrong," Vice President Dick Cheney shot back in crackling campaign debate. (10/05/2004) Springsteen fans divided over his political coming out The "Vote For Change" tour, featuring Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M. and John Fogerty, stopped at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center Tuesday night. The concert raised an estimated $1 million for America Coming Together, a group raising money for Democratic candidates. The tour has had a polarizing effect on some Springsteen fans, including a St. Paul musician who makes his living off Springsteen's songs. (10/05/2004) More News & Features
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