Interesting timing for McCain's campaign to e-mail around a positive statement from the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Under the heading, "In case you missed it, " the campaign sent out Sharpton's and New York Schools chief Joel Klein's acknowledgement of McCain's praise for a New York program.
McCain is walking a delicate line here: If he's seen — as he's trying to cast himself — as the victim of a false charge of racism, he can do real damage to Obama; but if he's seen as playing the race card himself, there's lots of room for his decision to raise the temperature on race to backfire with black and white voters. The apparent embrace of Sharpton — who is loathed by many Republicans — seems meant as a moderating gesture.
Sharpton, meanwhile, has a second statement out distancing himself from McCain:
While I am gratified that Sen. McCain has joined us in endorsing the principles of the Education Equality Project, I do not want to see this endorsement used as a political weapon nor as an opportunity for Sen. McCain to use this as an attack on Sen. Obama," he says."I disagree with Sen. McCain using the fight for education equality in a political way and I disagree with Sen. McCain's statement that Sen. Obama used the race card."
Full McCain e-mail after the jump.
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Press Office
Friday, August 1, 2008
703-650-5550
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
"Klein, Sharpton Respond To McCain Speech"
"We are gratified that Senator McCain has endorsed the principles of the Education Equality Project, joining education, civil rights, and elected officials across America who are working together to bring meaningful reform to our nation's public schools." -- New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Reverend Al Sharpton
"Klein, Sharpton Respond To McCain Speech"
Press Release
Education Equality Project
August 1, 2008
The following is a joint statement by New York City Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein and Reverend Al Sharpton on Senator John McCain's remarks at the National Urban League's convention this morning:
"We are gratified that Senator McCain has endorsed the principles of the Education Equality Project, joining education, civil rights, and elected officials across America who are working together to bring meaning ful reform to our nation's public schools. The members of the Education Equality Project believe that education reform is the civil rights issue of our time. Fixing our schools won't be easy and it will require strong national leadership--but nothing short of that will enable us to live up to our basic commitment to our children: to help them learn so they have a real shot at achieving the American dream. Education reform, like civil rights, is above partisan politics and must be embraced by all."
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