MSNBC host Rev. Al Sharpton emphasized the importance of Democrats actively promoting President Biden's accomplishments to prevent former President Trump from controlling the post-election narrative. Sharpton's comments came during a Monday segment on MSNBC, in response to a Washington Post opinion piece urging progressives to defend Biden's legacy.
The unexpected outcome of the recent election has prompted reflection on Biden's presidency, particularly given his previous success against Trump. Sharpton, echoing sentiments from the Washington Post article, stressed the urgency of highlighting Biden's policy achievements to counter any attempts to discredit them in light of Trump's victory.
During the MSNBC discussion, host Joe Scarborough recounted a conversation with former President Bill Clinton, who emphasized the need to connect with voters on practical concerns like gas prices. Sharpton agreed, stating the importance of addressing immediate concerns before delving into broader economic issues. He added that Democrats must effectively communicate Biden's successes to resonate with voters in future elections.
Sharpton pointed to several key accomplishments during Biden's term, including historically low Black unemployment rates, the appointment of a record number of Black women as federal judges, and a substantial number of clemencies and pardons granted. He argued that these achievements, if not effectively communicated, risk being overshadowed by a narrative of failure potentially propagated by Trump.
Sharpton also expressed hope that Biden would continue granting pardons, specifically mentioning former Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby and former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. He concluded by underscoring the significant progress made for working-class communities and communities of color under Biden's administration, urging Democrats to emphasize these achievements rather than dwelling on the narrow election loss.
