On Wednesday’s show Rev. Sharpton debuted a new segment, Ask Rev, in which he answers questions from viewers.
James asks:
“With the way the world has changed, do you think that Republicans will ever regain the White House given the way they act?”
Rev’s response:
“It’s not how they act, it’s how the opposition acts. It’s how those of us who don’t want to see the right-wing back in charge — if we don’t vote, if we don’t mobilize, they will regain, not because they beat us, but because we didn’t fight.”
Steve writes:
“I don’t have a question but I have a prediction. By Independence Day the scandals will fizzle out like a sparkler on the Fourth of July.”
Rev’s response:
“I think these scandals may fizzle out but they’re going to keep coming with more. You must give them credit, they are tenacious. They’ll find something, they’ll keep trying to come. We have got to keep trying to fight the fight too. Don’t expect them to give out. Let us keep the fight going.”
Bam asks:
“To what do you attribute your weight loss and the fact that you get better looking every year.”
Rev’s response:
“That’s so nice of you, Bam. I started exercising, I watch what I eat. I don’t eat any red meats or chicken. I eat fish twice a week, other than that it’s salads and fruit. But most important – discipline. You must have discipline. Watch what you put in your body.”
Madonna asks:
“I really admire your fighting spirit. How do you keep from getting discouraged and giving up the fight for what is right for all the people?”
Rev’s response:
“I keep from getting discouraged by remembering that America reelected this president. He won. We won the fight. With all they did with voter suppression, we won. I remember he’s rescued the economy, creating nearly 6 million private sector jobs. Protecting 17 million children with pre-existing health conditions. The president saved over one million auto industry jobs with the auto bailout without support from the Republicans. He’s expanded Pell Grants and offered tax credits to make college more affordable. He’s kept his promise to bring our troops home. So Madonna, we shouldn’t be discouraged. They’ll keep coming with smears and scandals and we’ll keep coming with the two F’s — the fight and the facts. Don’t be discouraged. We’re winning. Just because they’re swinging doesn’t mean they’re scoring. I’ve seen too many victories. I was in Johannesburg the night Mandela won. I was on the stage the night Barack Obama was sworn in again. I’ve seen too many victories to ever think that defeat is anything but a temporary bump in the road. Because on the big ones, on the broad ones, on the ones that matter – right always wins, and it always will if we have the courage to stand up and fight.”
To submit your own question, email AskRev@msnbc.com, Tweet #AskRev, or go to our Facebook page to leave a comment on one of our Ask Rev threads.
Morgan Whitaker