Hypocritical Hack: Sharpton Defends Biden's Record on Race

September 6th, 2020 9:01 PM

On Saturday’s PoliticsNation, MSNBC host Al Sharpton brought on Republican National Committee Advisor for Media Affairs and board member of Black Voices for Trump Paris Dennard to bash President Trump. Most outrageously, the longtime Democratic hack excused Joe Biden’s problematic history on race by claiming that it was something he “did 30 years ago” and kicked Dennard off the show for attacking Biden for his 1994 crime bill.

Sharpton began by assaulting Trump’s response to the shooting of Jacob Blake:

 

 

But then what can they really expect when they watch President Trump visit Kenosha, Wisconsin and make no mention of racism or police brutality while the country continues to quake around both or when voters of color learn, as they did this weekend, that the President called for a ban on anti-racism initiatives within federal agencies, parroting criticism by the right wing calling them, quote, un-American. Which leaves us with two questions. If anti-racism is not American in the President's mind, just what exactly is? Or the second question is does he think black voters are stupid? 

Ever a race baiter, Sharpton tried to claim that Trump did not attempt to meet with the Blake family, which Dennard had to correct him on:

SHARPTON: He met with law enforcement and I think two faith leaders, didn't meet with the community, would not even request a meeting with the family, said he would only talk to maybe the mother by phone if the lawyers were not on. What about that would appear to black voters like he is being balanced and impartial in a situation that clearly has captured the attention of the country and black voters in particular? 

DENNARD: I would just say that it’s sort of inaccurate to say the President didn't want to reach out or meet with the Blake family. He actually did reach out and the call to the mother did not connect. And so they -- there was an attempt made but the attempt -- they did not -- they did not connect. 

Sharpton then suggested that the Justice Department’s investigation of the shooting will not be “fair” because Attorney General William Barr accurately stated that Blake was committing a felony and was armed:

SHARPTON: Now why would the black voters that you reach out to feel that that is a fair investigation when the head of the Justice Department, William Barr, has said that Jacob, the victim here who was shot in the back seven times, was in the midst of dealing with being part of committing a felony and that he was armed when he was shot when there, first of all, seems to be he's concluding an investigation before it has happened and he's the head of the department that is supposed to be investigating this. 

Sharpton attacked Dennard by saying he would “humor” his “argument that this president can make sufficient inroads with black voters.”

Dennard responded by pointing out that Joe Biden sponsored the 1994 crime bill, which has disproportionately affected African Americans. Hypocritically, Sharpton dismissed the criticism of his candidate: "It was. And I -- I say it now and I said it to Mr. -- Mr. Biden and Mr. Biden said it had unintended consequences." 

The Democratic shill doubled down on his defense of Biden by claiming that he was not talking about “20 years ago, not 30 years ago, right now.”

If Sharpton was not campaigning for Biden, he would acknowledge his long history of racism, much of which is recent.  Earlier in his campaign, Biden said blacks “ain’t black” if they do not vote for him. This past month, he suggested that the black community is not “diverse” like the Latino community. He called the Daughters of the Confederacy “fine people” at a Senate hearing. In the late 1970's, Biden was a leading segregationist and justified it by saying that he did not want his children to grow up in a “racial jungle." He also praised ardent segregationist, George Wallace: “I think the Democratic Party could stand a liberal George Wallace — someone who’s not afraid to stand up and offend people, someone who wouldn’t pander but would say what the American people know in their gut is right.” Biden has also praised Robert Byrd, who was a grand wizard in the KKK. Furthermore, Biden referred to Barack Obama as “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”

Sharpton then kicked Dennard off the show before he could further expose Biden’s racism:

DENNARD: I think black voters are viewing the difference between Joe Biden and President Trump in a favorable way. 

SHARPTON: That's the fourth duck. That’s the fourth duck, not answering my question. I didn't ask you for a comparison. I asked you to defend the record. But I understand Mr. Dennard who I have respect for you. I understood why you couldn't answer the questions thank you for being with us.

Maybe MSNBC should remove Sharpton from his show for ducking the facts.

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Read the full September 5th transcript here:

MSNBC Politics Nation

09/05/20

5:01:13 PM

AL SHARPTON: But in this very abnormal time and with just eight weeks to go, the Trump campaign is grasping at straws, as it tries to expand its demographic play book, particularly with African-American voters. It hasn't been going well. Most polling showing most black voters are in the Biden camp or at least not voting for the President. But then what can they really expect when they watch President Trump visit Kenosha, Wisconsin and make no mention of racism or police brutality while the country continues to quake around both or when voters of color learn, as they did this weekend, that the President called for a ban on anti-racism initiatives within federal agencies, parroting criticism by the right wing calling them, quote, un-American. Which leaves us with two questions. If anti-racism is not American in the President's mind, just what exactly is? Or the second question is does he think black voters are stupid? We start with the perfect guest for both questions. Joining me now is Paris Dennard, he is a Republican national committee adviser for black media affairs and also a board member of black voices for Trump. Thank you for being with me, Mr. Denard and let me ask you a question. The President went to Kenosha, Wisconsin this week. He met with law enforcement and I think two faith leaders, didn't meet with the community, would not even request a meeting with the family, said he would only talk to maybe the mother by phone if the lawyers were not on. What about that would appear to black voters like he is being balanced and impartial in a situation that clearly has captured the attention of the country and black voters in particular? 

PARIS DENNARD (REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE ADVISOR FOR BLACK MEDIA AFFAIRS & BOARD MEMBER OF BLACK VOICES FOR TRUMP): Well, thank you Reverend for having me on the show. It's a privilege to see you again. I would just say that it’s sort of inaccurate to say the President didn't want to reach out or meet with the Blake family. He actually did reach out and the call to the mother did not connect. And so they -- there was an attempt made but the attempt -- they did not -- they did not connect. 


SHARPTON: But is it not a fact that he said when the family said they would talk but their lawyers had to be on the phone that he refused to talk if the lawyers were going to be on the phone, even though the Attorney General was on the trip with him? Is that a fact? They did connect, he just refused to deal with them in the middle of an investigation when they wanted their lawyers to be part of the conversation. 

DENNARD: Well I'm just glad that you set the record straight and actually corrected what you said earlier which is the fact that he did try to and make an attempt to make a connection  -- 

SHARPTON: No I said he did not want to talk to them unless their lawyers wasn't on the phone. That's what I said. 

DENNARD: Well that's not quite what I heard but we can keep moving forward. When you look at the –the faith leaders the President met with. They were two black Americans -- 

SHARPTON: I didn't ask you about the faith leaders. I asked you about the President meeting with law enforcement and two faith leaders and would not talk to the family without their lawyers present and did not meet with community leaders. That's the question on the table. 

DENNARD: So the answer on the table is the fact that just because you don't like the community leaders that he met with does not mean that he did not meet with community leaders. He did meet with people --

SHARPTON: I didn’t say I disliked or liked them. I said he did not meet with the community leaders. He met with two faith leaders and he did not reach out to the family.

DENNARD: Sharpton --

SHARPTON: You continue to avoid the fact that he would not talk to the family. 

DENNARD: Reverend Sharpton, he did reach out to the family. You just admitted that. So stop spreading – 

SHARPTON: And he set terms on which the family would put themselves in a position to have to talk without legal representation on the phone. 

DENNARD: Well Reverend Sharpton I see that you're a little upset about the President --

SHARPTON: I'm not upset at all. I'm trying to get you to answer the question. 

DENNARD: And I’ve answered the question. Number one, the President did reach out to the family. They were unable to connect. Number two, he did reach out and meet with community leaders. Might not have been the community leaders that you wanted him to meet with but he did meet with community leaders. At the end of the day, The President is making a direct impact and inroads in engaging with the black community which is why you’ve seen -- 

SHARPTON: That’s not -- we'll get to that. We’ll get to that that. Kenosha was my point and the connection was made that he would not agree to what both parents wanted to have done. Let me ask you this. The Trump administration has announced they would do an investigation through the Justice Department into Kenosha. Is that correct? 

DENNARD: I think that is the truth and I think that's a good thing. 

SHARPTON: Now why would the black voters that you reach out to feel that that is a fair investigation when the head of the Justice Department, William Barr, has said that Jacob, the victim here who was shot in the back seven times, was in the midst of dealing with being part of committing a felony and that he was armed when he was shot when there, first of all, seems to be he's concluding an investigation before it has happened and he's the head of the department that is supposed to be investigating this. And, secondly, there is no where in the tapes that the world has seen where he, Mr. Blake, had any weapon. Where did that come from and does that not add fuel to those of us that question the objectivity of this Justice Department under President Donald Trump? 

DENNARD: Well, I think one of the things that we have to do is wait to get all the facts and get all the videos and see what is -- what is --

SHARPTON: Mr. Barr didn't wait for all the facts. He said he was committing a felony. He said it. He said as the Attorney General that this man was committing a felony and was armed. Don't you think you ought to be telling him to wait for all the facts? 

DENNARD: So as I understand it, Reverend Sharpton, is that the Justice Department is weighing in to help with the investigation, which is being led by the local authorities in Kenosha, which is how our system of justice, as you very well know, occurs. What is even greater of -- importance -- importance to the black community there in Kenosha, as well as getting justice is to ensure that violence, that crime, that deaths and that the destruction of property does not continue. That's why it's important for us to have public safety and ensure that communities of color, that across the nation, especially Kenosha are safe. Because there should be a reasonable expectation that just because you want to protest it does not lead to rioting, violence, crime, and death. That's what the Blake family wants, that's what they have called for, what many of the -- the black leaders across the country have called for. But yet, we have not seen Joe Biden call out and denounce actually the violence -- 

SHARPTON: Well first of all we can get into that back and forth. I'm not speaking for Joe Biden though clearly he has denounced it. But it’s interesting that if everyone is --

DENNARD: That sounds like getting into it to me. 

SHARPTON: -- if everyone is interested in that and you did duck my question on William Barr but I'll let you duck two. That’s two. You get three ducks on -- on PoliticsNation. So you're up to two. But if that's what you're interested in and all of us have denounced violence and any damage to property, then why did the President defend the 17-year-old white militia person who killed two people in Kenosha and in fact has been known to attend Trump rallies. He didn't seem to denounce that young man when he was given a direct question about it. He started saying that the young man was defending himself and the young man might have been harmed or killed if he didn't shoot himself. The two people that were killed in Kenosha were done by a Trump supporter who was in the militia. Does that not qualify under denouncing violence? 

DENNARD: So I don't think that it's appropriate for to us politicize what has happened in Kenosha, which you're attempting to do. 

SHARPTON: I am addressing -- you brought up about violence -- you did. You brought up about we didn't want people harmed. I'm saying two people that were killed in Kenosha was done by a -- a supporter of Mr. Trump who he defended. Are you denying that he defended it? I can get the tape if you want to hear him. 

DENNARD: Go ahead and play the tape but I hope that’d you also would play the tape of Joe Biden denouncing the man shot in cold blood in front of his small business because he was a Trump supporter. I didn't hear him denounce that. And I didn’t hear him --

SHARPTON: So now you're saying that President Trump will only denounce and -- and if Biden denounces something else and that the fact that he defended it is justified by you saying that Biden --

DENNARD: No, no, no.

SHARPTON: -- who has denounced violence, didn't do something to a specific case. All right, that's three. I want to humor your argument that this president can make sufficient inroads with black voters to matter. But --

DENNARD: He can. 

SHARPTON: But the polling just doesn't bear it out. 

DENNARD: Yes, it does. 

SHARPTON: According to a Hill-Harris poll coming just after the RNC convention, the President got a 9% boost with black voters on his job performance to a muscular 24%. And then from a Fox News a month ago, black support for this president 8%. 8%. And this is Fox News, mind you, which the President loved before he didn't. 

DENNARD: So I'm glad you mentioned the one poll but I -- we can talk about the Trafalgar poll, we can look at the CNN poll, we can look at the Zogby poll, we can look at Rasmussen’s poll, all showing that the President received an increased support and approval from the black community from the time of the Republican National Convention and after actually before that, after the failed Democratic National Convention where his poll numbers went up there as well. The President is having a successful time engaging with the black community. Here at the RNC where I am, we are working daily with black media. Going and talking to journalists and -- and we are engaging on a regular basis with our black voices for Trump community centers. We are making progress. And we see that the President's impact is significant because the American people, the black community specifically, is looking at the difference. They're looking at a man who led criminal justice reform under President Trump and looking at Joe Biden who lead with the 1994 crime bill which you said in of itself years ago was a bad thing to have. 

SHARPTON: It was. And I -- I say it now and I said it to Mr. -- Mr. Biden and Mr. Biden said it had unintended consequences. 
But what is interesting to me is --

DENNARD: No he actually --

SHARPTON: -- what is interesting to me is that Mr. Trump supports that crime bill now. He says now that he supports stop and frisk and many of the things in that crime bill that we objected to. Do you deny that your candidate, president Donald Trump has said we need to have stop and frisk now nationally? Yes or no? 

DENNARD: I do not recall that conversation but I want to talk about is the fact that this president has led on criminal justice reform -- 

SHARPTON: You -- you what? You don't know that the President has said he wants stop and frisk nationally? And you are part of Blacks for Trump? You don't know that he advocates stop and frisk? 

DENNARD: Reverend Sharpton, you can bring up stop and frisk if you want to -- 

SHARPTON: No, the President did. I'm bringing up what your candidate did. You brought up the crime bill. Problem is that I keep bringing up things that you raised. I’m only going by what you raised -- this wasn't my questions for you. 

DENNARD: You raised the fact that Joe Biden called black men that looked like me predators. Let's talk about the fact that he said – 

SHARPTON: We are talking about your candidate that you are a spokesman for. Are you saying, therefore, that your defense of the President is to talk about what Joe Biden did 30 years ago? Right now Donald Trump says we should have stop and frisk. Right now he is disbanding all of the anti-racism edicts that came out in federal agencies under the Obama administration. Not 20 years ago, not 30 years ago, right now. Tell me how black voters are to view that right now. 

DENNARD: I think black voters are viewing the difference between Joe Biden and President Trump in a favorable way. This is why you see increasing in -- polling -- 

SHARPTON: That's the fourth duck. That’s the fourth duck, not answering my question. I didn't ask you for a comparison. I asked you to defend the record. But I understand Mr. Dennard who I have respect for you. I understood why you couldn't answer the questions thank you for being with us.