Really? He boosted Ferrer's candidacy - doing the previously impossible thing of getting a Latino candidate a significant number of black votes - and helped sink Green's. Plus he's very smart and very entertaining. Not exactly nothing. Doug
He can swing votes but he can't make public policy. He's a municipal version (albeit in a big municipality) of Jesse Jackson.
It's not even clear what policy he would make if he had the power to do so, other than trying to get police to obey the law. The problem is that what gives him political juice bars him from the mundane exercise of governmental authority and the power to actually do anything. If he sought and obtained local public office, which he could probably do, he would have to comport himself differently. He wouldn't be Al Sharpton any more.
I spoke at a meeting with him in '94, along w/JJ and a host of other Rainbow people. Well-motivated and all, but clearly not ready for Prime Time. Not because they were 'unqualified.' Because they were (and are) unprepared.
He's Little Anthony -- on the outside looking in.
mbs