The Rev. Al Sharpton, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, says he won't get into the race this time. "I am not going to run"

Wow, huge surprise....Edwards-Obama 2008 with or without Rev. Al's support.

Jackson has a long history with one of Obama's chief rivals, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband former President Clinton. He counseled the two when the president's affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky became public.

But Jackson said his history with the Clintons doesn't complicate his decision to back his home state senator, calling Obama Illinois' "favorite son."

"It's not awkward at all," he said, adding, "I don't owe a debt to any of them."

How much does Al Sharpton owe?

Your ideas are intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.

Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it is to be young...