Sharpton's 'Galeo' moment

If you missed last night’s post-debate analysis on MSNBC, check out Al Sharpton’s “Galeo” swipe at Rick Perry. In defending himself against an attack by Jon Huntsman that invoked the alleged “consensus” of climate scientists, Perry played the Galileo card — a syllable, and probably a lot more, beyond the grasp of Reverend Al. Still, Sharpton’s “Galeo” moment has nothing on his “Federal Reserve” implosion from the January 23, 2004 New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Debate.

From the Fox News transcript of the debate.

PETER JENNINGS: Reverend Sharpton, I’d like to ask you a question about domestic policy, if you don’t mind.

If during your term as president, if you become the nominee, and you have the opportunity to nominate someone to be chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, what kind of person would you consider for the job? You can name someone in particular, if you have someone in mind.

And maybe just take a minute or so to give us a little bit about your views on monetary policy.

…

SHARPTON: I think, first of all, we must have a person at the Monetary Fund that is concerned about growth of all, not setting standards that would, in my judgment, protect some and not elevate those that cannot, in my view, expand and come to the levels of development and the levels of where we need to be.

I think part of my problem with how we’re operating at this point is that the IMF and the policies that are emanating there do not lead to the expansion that is necessary for our country and our global village to rise to levels that underdeveloped countries and those businesses in this country can have the development policies necessary.

JENNINGS: Forgive me, Reverend Sharpton, but the question was actually about the Federal Reserve Board.

SHARPTON: I thought you said IMF, I’m sorry.

JENNINGS: No, I’m sorry, sir. And what you’d be looking for in a chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.

SHARPTON: Oh, in the Federal Reserve Board, I would be looking for someone that would set standards in this country, in terms of our banking, our — in how government regulates the Federal Reserve as we see it under Greenspan, that we would not be protecting the big businesses; we would not be protecting banking interests in a way that would not, in my judgment, lead toward mass employment, mass development and mass production.

I think that — would I replace Greenspan, probably. Do I have a name? No.

HUME: Thank you, Reverend Sharpton. Thanks very much.