On Sharpton Show, Chatter That Clarence Thomas Isn't Really a Black Supreme Court Justice

February 29th, 2016 9:20 AM

David Rutz at the Washington Free Beacon was one of those rare Americans who watched Rev. Al Sharpton’s Sunday show on MSNBC. Naturally, a black Democratic congresswoman was complaining Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wasn’t authentically black, and that blacks haven’t been represented on the court since Thurgood Marshall retired.

Sharpton told ultraliberal Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) that he’s heard talk of Obama nominating attorney general Loretta Lynch to replace recently deceased Justice Antonin Scalia.

“I think many people would like to see an African American on the Supreme Court,” Bass said. “We don’t really need to go into Clarence Thomas’s background or his behavior on the Court, but I think to have an African-American voice that has definitely not been there since Thurgood Marshall would really be an incredible contribution to our country.”

Sharpton considered the Senate resistance to confirming a justice just the latest example that they don’t think Obama is a legitimate president.

SHARPTON: Isn't this part, in many ways, uh, many of us are viewing of them, continuing seven years in to act as though he is not the real president, and to limit his powers? Because he's the president till January 20th of next year.

BASS: I know. And you know, it has been very difficult over these last seven years to see the way they have disrespected him every opportunity they’ve had.

But disrespecting Thomas isn't racist, apparently. Perhaps someone whispered into Sharpton’s earpiece minutes later, when he tried to check the biological facts. “I might note neither you or I is suggesting Clarence Thomas is not African American,” Sharpton said. “We just may agree [disagree] with how he has used his–”

“It’s an African American voice,” Bass replied.

“That’s right, I just wanted to clarify that,” Sharpton said.