Al Sharpton Challenges Newt Gingrich To Discuss Comments About Blacks And Food Stamps (VIDEO)

Al Sharpton challenged Newt Gingrich to meet him to discuss his controversial comments about blacks and food stamps, and poor children working as janitors.

The Hill reported that a man in South Carolina questioned Gingrich on his comments, and challenged him to meet with Al Sharpton. Gingrich said he would be "glad to do it."

On Saturday, Sharpton said that he hadn't heard from the GOP candidate yet, but that he was looking forward to the opportunity and that he would even travel to meet him wherever he was. He said, "We'll meet him anywhere, any time."

Sharpton was speaking to fellow MSNBC hosts analyzing the South Carolina primary. "I want him to answer this whole question about blacks and food stamps when clearly that is not the case that we in the black community are synonymous with food stamps, how the president is the 'food stamp president,'" he said.

The MSNBC host also alleged that Gingrich only used racially-charged rhetoric to win with white audiences. Gingrich had said that he would urge the black community to demand paychecks, not food stamps. But Sharpton recalled joining Gingrich and President Obama on a tour about education, and said "none of this rhetoric was used" with black audiences. He made similar charges of "racial demagoguer­y" against Gingrich on Tuesday.

On Saturday, Sharpton asked, "Are we dealing with someone who's just racially insensitive or someone who's cynical, who would use race to play and blacks as backboards to score a shot?"

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Comments

[trron9]

08:30 PM on 01/23/2012

I support Obama 100%! Al Sharpton's input doesn't help, leave Newt to his own devices!

[kkdkdkdkdk]

02:12 PM on 01/23/2012

There is a rule in politics, you don't argue "downward" that is you don't argue with people of less prestige than yourself, you can only get pulled down by that. Argue with those with greater prestige, that way you can only get pulled up. Al is way down the list from even Newt and Newt is pretty far down my list.

[Aquest]

02:51 PM on 01/25/2012

Apparently, you don't take your own advice. Either that or all the people you argue with here are people you realize are superior to you.

[kkdkdkdkdk]

04:42 PM on 01/25/2012

Why of course. You are superior to me aren't you?

[Consequence]

11:34 AM on 01/23/2012

Poor Al. He doesn't seem to realize that the majority of people on food stamps are actually White.

Gingrich has no reason to go on Sharpton's show. There is no upside to having that blowhard scream "racism" at everything he says.

Gingrich should go on and insist that he will only answer questions after Sharpton explains Tawana Brawley.

[Boopsie2008]

11:28 AM on 01/23/2012

Now this would be one hilarious matchup. Rev. Al Sharpton absolutely has the stones to call bullshee*t on Newt. He's also surprisingly insightful and quickly cuts to the bone.

I've actually been hugely enjoying his quirky show, which also studiously follows the Olberman model of verifying each "build" of the argument or criticism with dead-on video clips.

[Willie12345]

11:14 AM on 01/23/2012

I hope Maddow appreciates Rev. Al. He carries her and the rest of the MSNBC team.

[rosiebag]

11:01 AM on 01/23/2012

I challenge Al to pay his taxes

[Omentum]

01:41 PM on 01/23/2012

he paid his taxes. i challenge romney to show us his

[Bonnie511]

03:46 PM on 01/23/2012

WTF, really rosie, really, that's the best you can do? How about trying to find a solution to this "mess" instead of continuing the problem.

[manofmystique]

10:54 AM on 01/23/2012

Gingrich doesn't like to meet and talk with advocates on an even playing field, especially to address and challenge the stupid racial comments he made in public and on the stage. Newt could not give a rational sense that would justify his ignorance, not without saying more insulting things about the poor. Al Sharpton would set the record straight, correct and challenge Newt, which is something talk show hosts and pundits fail to do seriously. In the meantime Gingrich is free to say any dumb thing he wants, and that is exactly what he does. In fact, spewing racist nonsense has propelled Newt to front-runners status... TWICH.
Giving an opportunity to discuss the issue (Newt won't), Sharpton, not only will educate Newt, he will point out the lies he tell, such as claiming the first black President is a "food stamp" President. Could you imagine what will happen to Newt if he had to defend his stupidity in a debate with Obama? Gingrich will end up looking and feeling like John McCain after the 2008 election.

[asvainc]

08:31 AM on 01/23/2012

Sharpton is a true capitalist he will use any statement to distort the truth for his own gain. The statement is about all Americans that are on food stamps and government aid but Mr. Sharpton has to lie and deceive. Mr. Sharpton is a joke along with MSNBC and the rest of the BS that is out their.

[KPinSEA]

04:57 AM on 01/23/2012

"Me me meeeeee, the news is about meeeeeee."

Or in Al's case, "Everything is about meeeeeee."

[Omentum]

01:41 PM on 01/23/2012

What?

[Mamadea]

04:38 AM on 01/23/2012

OBAMA2012

[trron9]

08:33 PM on 01/23/2012

Yes!!!

[bullitt2008]

01:26 AM on 01/23/2012

It appears to me that BOTH the Dems & Reps have used certain segments of the American Black community for their own means in both rhetoric and actions for decades now. It gets tiring sometimes. I wish we all could come together to help people of every color in need via the private & public sectors (w/out making government bigger).

I know, I know. But I can dream, can't I?

[SharonDoc]

12:24 AM on 01/23/2012

That would be amusing to watch

[DeanWormer]

12:18 AM on 01/23/2012

So Newt is supposed to prove he's not racially insensitive by meeting with a racebaiter??

[Shikamaru]

03:12 PM on 01/23/2012

i've never seen sharpton race bait, could you provide an example?

[O K Ali]

12:03 AM on 01/23/2012

Republicans are wondering why the majority of Blacks are voting Democrat, but I have yet to see one candidate approach a crowd of mostly Black voters to explain why they should listen to his side. If I ran for office, I would certainly step into "enemy" territory to get support. I feel I could leave with more allies than enemies. Then again, I don't think like a politician.

[pragmaticalpaula]

04:26 AM on 01/23/2012

I'm curious why you would use the term "enemy"? Do Republicans of all colors consider Black voters as the "enemy'? Perhaps a freudian slip?

[O K Ali]

08:15 AM on 01/23/2012

Nothing Freudian about it. Both parties are warring with each other, Dems chastise Republican voters as much as the other way around. I consider myself independent, but have voted for members of different parties before.

[YourMindsEye]

10:24 PM on 01/22/2012

What purpose would there be for Gingrich to meet with Al Sharpton? He is insignificant and by no means a religious man. A scribe or pharasee that looks the part, but is an empty vessel.