Al Sharpton aired a segment concerning a recent National Journal article which analyzed President Obama's chances of attaining a coveted spot on Mt. Rushmore Friday evening on MSNBC. Teddy Roosevelt's presence on the landmark garnered particular attention from Sharpton, who expressed his opinion that Roosevelt's thin resume as a "transformative president" strengthens the case for Obama to be included:
ABBY HUNTSMAN: You look at Reagan, he ended the Cold War. I think they have to have a legacy that changed America. Obama was the first black president. That is something that will always be remembered.
AL SHARPTON: And he stopped two wars and the whole question of finance reform on Wall Street and health care. I mean, he has done some concrete things. I can, again, the reason I raised Teddy Roosevelt is that a lot of people could say that Teddy Roosevelt was more of a character than a transformative president. I can name, literally, things that President Obama has done. Now, I'm going to say that if Teddy Roosevelt is the measure, I think it strengthens the case for President Obama.
Teddy Roosevelt is credited with accomplishments such as completing the Panama Canal and establishing the National Parks system. Historians typically rank Roosevelt among the top five greatest presidents.
Full segment: