NYPost

SHARPTON ‘CLOUTS' TOP DEM

By KENNETH LOVETT

December 3, 2001 -- ALBANY - The Rev. Al Sharpton has a warning for the incoming chairman of the state Democratic Committee: You're going to have to deal with me.

Assemblyman Herman "Denny" Farrell, due today to become the first black chairman of the state Democratic Committee, has said Sharpton should not be considered a Democratic leader.

In a phone interview with The Post yesterday, Sharpton fired back that the recent mayoral campaign should prove to Farrell that he is going to need him and other minority activists.

"He's going to have to deal with any people who can influence votes, not just party loyalists," Sharpton said.

"There's a difference between building morale in the party and having a winning strategy. To win, you have to deal with people who may not agree with you all the time."

Farrell said on Friday that one of his top priorities as state chairman will be to reach out to Latino and black leaders.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001