Granted, you may not have noticed any difference.
The Rev. Al Sharpton did his part for Republicans last night by arguing with one of them.
Sharpton, heir apparent to the 6-7 p.m. slot on MSNBC, tried to get the better of Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., and ran into the immovable object of a smarter opponent.
Here's how their exchange ended, with Sharpton criticizing Mulvaney for opposing higher taxes to reach a deal on the debt ceiling (video after page break) --
SHARPTON: When Bush came in, we were in a surplus. When he left, we were in a deficit. Congressman, if you stand up to the rich, just like you said you'd stand up with defense, then you and I can, I'd come to South Carolina and help you out. I'd endorse your opponent in the next Republican primary. Thank you, congressman (waves arm in dismissive flourish) ...
MULVANEY: Reverend, tell us, Reverend ...
SHARPTON: I've got to go.
MULVANEY: Reverend, tell me if those were the same tax incr-, tax cuts that Obama supported last year.
SHARPTON (pause, befuddlement setting in): I don't care who supported 'em. I don't and you shouldn't, so let's be on the same side of the American people, not the rich.
Translation: You make a valid point and I can't refute it, so I'll feign indifference instead. Clearly it was too difficult for Sharpton to bring himself to say -- fair enough, congressman.
Somewhere Cenk Uygur is smiling.
