Shhh! Don't Tell Anyone, But Sharpton Supports Obama

It didn't take a recent "Saturday Night Live" cartoon for Rev. Al Sharpton to realize that a public display of affection for Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama may do more harm than good.

      According to the New York Daily News, the civil rights veteran said he's made the strategic decision to keep quiet about his support for the Illinois senator, despite speaking with him "two to three times a week."

       "I said, 'I'm gonna do whatever I gotta do to help you. Hillary Clinton has never done nothing for us,'" said Sharpton, recounting a conversation with Obama during a weekly rally Saturday for his group the National Action Network.       

       Asked to explain his comment that Clinton had "done nothing for us," Sharpton said he was referring to his NAN organization, not the black community.      

       An endorsement from the controversial Sharpton is a double-edged sword, impressing some voters and driving others away. A recent "SNL" cartoon poked fun at the idea of Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson attempting to help Obama's campaign, only to be sent on phantom assignments in remote parts of the world by Obama in an attempt to distance himself from the two civil rights veterans.      

       Sharpton told the Daily News Tuesday he has no plans to officially endorse Obama, but admitted he's "absolutely supportive" of his White House bid.

       So why go public now? Sharpton said one of the reasons he has "started discussing my private feelings is because of the disappointment I've had in the public conduct of the Clinton campaign."      

       He specifically mentioned racially charged statements from former President Bill Clinton, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro as troubling.