Last week, the local NAACP, headed by an Oakland Republican, had invited Al Sharpton, a once-minister in the Church of God in Christ, to appear at a youth business and motivational forum. According to the NAACP, Sharpton was scheduled as early as a year ago.

An Oakland daily newspaper reported Saturday that Sharpton was a no-show because he got more money to appear at a Black event in Southern California. The Oakland NAACP was only paying him $1,000 honorarium.

Gibbs has said before that Al Sharpton is not in this presidential race because he thinks he has a ghost of a chance of winning, but he is in it for the money, plain and simple. Since Sharpton came on the scene with his infamous defense of Tawana Brawley years ago, he has moved steadily away from many principles of the faith he once espoused.

When announcing his candidacy and his qualifications, he said he has a following. Who are they; where are they; and why are they following him? Are they as avaricious as he? It is strange that Dr. Cornel West would become involved with Sharpton's campaign. Cornel has credibility in the African American community; Sharpton has none; so why would Dr. West lend his name and prestige to Al Sharpton?

Sharpton seems to be an old-fashion hustler who sees an opportunity and tries to capture it. No doubt he saw that Jessie Jackson ran for president and became a millionaire thereafter; his speaking fees went up; his requests for appearances increased; and he got a million dollar book contract.

Taking a play out of Jackson's playbook, Al Sharpton jumped into the social fray, albeit unsophisticatedly, by ridding the wrong horse: Tawana Brawley. He got himself sued, looked uncouthed, and he lost the suit. He has since moved from his brand of social activism, where he should have stayed until he was more refined and schooled, into the political arena, where he has looked and behaved quite pedestrian. But Sharpton saw the media lights and money and that is his avocation. Like an ambulance chasing lawyer, he started appearing wherever there was a political event of some momentum. He was appearing at breakneck speed--besting Jackson to capture the media cover.

For Sharpton, any publicity is good because he intends to cash that publicity in for big bucks by way of some publication seeing a financial profit if they write and publish his ramblings into a book. This will come after his failed presidential campaign. Before being over, he will scam as much money as he can in speaking fees.

He didn't attend Oakland's event because the highest bidder gets his wisdom, such as it may be. This pattern is one that Sharpton will revisit many times before the 2004 Presidential Campaign is over.

But why would the NAACP of Oakland even invite an Al Sharpton to any serious affair to help youths? The man is not serious; he still puts the hot comb to his hair, and that has affected his head. []

Gibbs staff