The Rev. Al Sharpton raised the astonishing possibility yesterday of not endorsing a candidate in the Democratic primary for mayor — an embarrassing diss to old pal Bill Thompson, the only black candidate in the race.
“I’m not ready yet,” Sharpton told The Post. “I haven’t really made up my mind.”
The primary is Tuesday — five days away.
Sharpton said he might wait to make a decision after a run-off between the two top vote-getters.
While a stunning setback for Thompson, Sharpton’s neutrality would be a huge plus for surging front-runner Bill de Blasio, who is already cutting into Thompson’s base of black voters, according to multiple public polls.
Sharpton has known Thompson for decades and backed his 2009 bid for mayor against incumbent Mike Bloomberg.
“I knew Mark Green for 30 years. I didn’t endorse him,” Sharpton said, attempting to explain his decision to shun Thompson.
“My backing will come based on issues, not familiarity. I know everyone running right now.”
Sharpton said he’s been impressed with de Blasio and noted that the leadership of his National Action Network is split between Thompson and the public advocate.
“I have key people in both camps. I have people all over the place. I’m between and betwixt,” said Sharpton.
He pointed out that the Rev. Michael Walfrond, pastor of Harlem’s First Corinthian Baptist Church and ministries director for NAN, backs de Blasio, as does Manhattan chapter leader Theresa Freeman.
Thompson has strong support from leaders of NAN chapters in the outer boroughs.
But there’s nothing that would prevent Sharpton from making a personal endorsement.
While remaining neutral, Sharpton talked up de Blasio’s campaign as the one that has “caught fire on issues that matter” to liberal primary voters.
Among the issues where Sharpton said de Blasio excels are taxing the wealthy, curbing stop-and-frisk and addressing income inequality.
“The ‘Tale of Two Cities’ has affected the mainstream,” Sharpton said of de Blasio’s mantra.
He also said de Blasio’s TV ad featuring his teen-age son, Dante, has been the “most impactful” of the campaign.
“Dante has the most famous Afro in America,” Sharpton quipped, referring to de Blasio’s son’s frizzy halo of hair.
Politicians seek Sharpton’s endorsement because he is a gifted, media savvy orator who can energize a campaign. But he’s also a polarizing figure with baggage, and some campaign veterans said his influence is overblown.
After The Post interviewed Sharpton, Thompson appeared with him on his radio show, where the host remained on the endorsement sidelines.
As luck would have it, a caller from The Bronx demanded to know why Sharpton was staying neutral.
“I’m not condemning anyone. I may well weigh in [at some point],” Sharpton said.
Thompson took full advantage of his appearance by again attacking de Blasio as a”flip-flopper” on issues ranging from stop-and-frisk to term limits.
Additional reporting by Yoav Gonen and Sally Goldenberg