Sharpton Steps In It

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who recently urged that radio host Don Imus be fired for making a racially insensitive remark, said in a debate that "those who really believe in God will defeat" Republican Mitt Romney for the White House.

But Sharpton denied he was questioning the Mormon's own belief in God.

Rather, the New York Democrat said he was contrasting himself with Christopher Hitchens, the atheist author he was debating at the time.

"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation," Sharpton said Monday during a debate with Hitchens at the New York Public Library's Beaux-Arts headquarters.

The comment was first reported Tuesday in a blog on The New York Times' Web site.

So, will the same folks who called for Imus to step down demand that Sharpton not only apologize and meet with Romney, but must step down from his organization? Oh, I think I know the answer to that - he'll get yet another pass, despite the fact that Sharpton has repeatedly shown himself to be a bigot, racist, and demagogue.

Sharpton has the right to say whatever he wants, including making a complete ass of himself, and has done so yet again.

UPDATE:
What he said:

Romney supporters aren't taking this lying down. They shouldn't. Sharpton makes his living making derogatory and divisive statements without facing the music for what he has said and done. I sense that he might have crossed a line here, even as he's trying to backtrack from his comments claiming that it amounted to a gotcha moment unleashed by Christopher Hitchens during the debate.

Others picking up Sharpton's comments and offering their take on the kerfuffle: My Man Mitt, Brainster, Gothamist, Rhymes With Right.