to their family. "politics nation" with reverend al sharpton starts right now. good evening, rev. >> good evening, dr. dyson and thanks to you for tuning in. tonight we'll have the latest in the developments in iraq. major cities falling to extremist militants. abd's about some republicans at home are already beating the drums of war and attacking president obama. and the passing of an icon, ruby dee, a legend on the silver screen and the a civil rights activist. my thoughts on that. and we start with tonight's lead. the republican party at war with itself. in the wake of eric cantor's stunning loss to an obscure right wing economics professor david brat, the gop in fighting is escalating.

politico says democrats are outright giddy, happy to watch the gop implode. quote, the early thinking, stay out of the gop's way. and today, speaker boehner showed why that's a smart strategy. as he awkwardly distorted the meaning of cantor's loss by attacking president obama. >> every election is different. i've been through a primary process myself. you have to understand, the american people are being squeezed by obama's hol policies. the economy is not growing. incomes aren't growing. we're not creating enough jbs. >> this is hilarious. somehow condition tor's loss was president obama's fault? let's get real. cantor lost because of a civil war in the republican party. the tea party is rattling the gates, demanding power and

making a play for cantor's leadership spot. that vote happens next week and behind the scenes, there's a battle. "time" magazine calls it a game of thrones. and a week later another public fight inside the party. the gop's ugly primary runoff in mississippi between senator thad cochran and radical tea party of chris mcdaniels. mcdaniels is the former radio host who warned he wouldn't pay taxes if there are reparations for salavery. that primary happens on the same day. colorado republicans choose their next candidate for governor, a race that features to guy. do you remember former gop congressman tom tancredo. his rhetoric made him infamous. these days he has a new target. >> the president of the united

states who should have been impeached four or five times by now, this guy is a greater threat to america than al qaeda. i have said this on many occasions. i'm sure if i'm nominated, you will see it on the television. >> actually, his comments are already on tv. and that's the problem for republicans. the gop war is raging and this really show is on display for everyone to see. joining me now is dana millbank and jess mcintosh. thank you for being here. is eric cantor's law turn into a political gift for the democrats? >> we need to push back on the idea that the republicans had this moment that was slowed by cantor's loss. republicans haven't gotten anything done. immigration wasn't going to happen. mississippi had almost nominated

a guy so far outthe mainstream mississippi could have nominated a democrat this year. they don't have anything to sell to mainstream americans. they can't deliver anything for their base. and what their base wants is so nuts that they can't sell it to the rest of the electorate. yes, we can all have fun with what happened last night, but it was the last thing in a long line of very bad signs for republicans. >> you know, here's some more of what democrats are saying about cantor's loss. they want to cast deposit effete as, quote, another cut at the house republicans as extremists. a chance to pump more distrust into the latino voters vats are

hoping to turn out in force in november. how much how much of a boost can gop get from the infighting? >> we'll have this election for the new majority lead leader and majority whip. no matter who they select there will be an instant discon innocent that's going on right there. so there's ostensibly, there's the establish candidate in kevin mccarthy and sort of the tea party guy in pete sessions. but the difference in them is in millimeters. and really, eric cantor was a tea party guy for all practical purposes. it's the all tra purist throwing out the purist at this point. the best thing is to try to let the republicans outdo each other.

>> the tea party had to be emboldened by cantor's loss. >> i think people are overthinking this and those who are absolutely shocked that this could ever happen must not have their thumb on the pulse of what many americans are thinking. and that is the status quo has got to go. >> well, she rimed. i think this dwrd that the tea party is different from the accomplishment somehow is also becoming really blurred. the republicans who won by being the establishment picks did so by adopting tea party rhetoric and policies. and the ones who lost lost to the tea party. so i think there is no republican wing and tea party wing. it's all the same and they all want something that's really out of the touch with the americans.

>> tell me your assessment by the republicans. >> well, look, as we were discussing, there's going to bes a tensably, the status quote candidate. even if you look at pete sessions, he's been around there an awful long time. he's very much an establishment guy, too. we have tea party characters going for that number three slot there. but basically, i think, i think the difference to americans will be very slim here. guys who actually believe things that are far out there on the fringes and guys who are only speaking and voting as if they believe those things that are far out there on the fringes. americans will say the only

nonchristian republican in congress was just booted out of office by a guy running on essentially an anti-immigration platform. that is definitely going to cement the demographic difficulties the republicans are having in the long term without the democrats saying something at all. >> you're talking about the lack of diversitdiversity. >> 76% of consistent liberals say it's important for them to live in a community with people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. just 20% of consistent conservatives say that. jess, should the gop be troubled that its leaders and voters seem uninterested in diversity at a time when america is becoming more dem graphically diverse by the year? >> yes, they should. but they don't seem to be. and i think that stat that you just read really outlined one of

the key rifts between the party, which is that democrats really do, liberals really do value diversity and leadership and the government that represents us. and republicans, i think, don't get that we mean it when we talk about that. they they we're pandering. that means they're never going to get those numbers past 20. we don't value diversity because it feels good. it's because it results in better policies. >> and the country. >> yes, yes, absolutely. you can't have a representative government that doesn't represent the people that elected it. to have a leadership fight that's entirely white, male, straight, christian, economically -- i mean, there's no diversity anywhere across the board in that. it's so unremarkable it's not even part of the story. >> this is the real world, dana. and this is what immigration and all of these issues are dealing with. and they are not dealing with the real world.

>> in fairness, the speaker of the house is orange, so they're not entirely white. but it's not really about identity politics and is there a woman? yes, they have one woman in leadership or ethnic diversity in actual representation. it really is about the policies. what's really hurting this party is not who's actually holding these positions, but where they are on immigration. eric cantor probably in large part lost his job because he just inched ever so slightly towards compromise for the dreamers, the kids who are here illegally. and even that got him booted out. so it's really the policy more than the people that's causing this demographic time bomb for the republicans. >> that's a great point. he eased for kids that are already here. we're not talking about incoming kids that are being debated. i must ask you, and i'm out of time. that's why i'm rushing. but i must ask you this, jess. last year, louisiana gop

governor bobby jindhal said quote, we've got to stop being the stupid party, but last night he appeared on the season premier of "duck dynasty" watch this. >> hey, guys. the governor will be here any moment and you've got to be ready for -- governor jindhal. hey, how you doing? welcome. welcome to duck commander -- well, we're in the back of the warehouse here. i missed you at the front. >> we just came back here, got here early. the guys invited me to shoot around a little bit. >> i couldn't think of a more smart way to show the image of the party. >> i'm literally speechless. okay, voters want politicians that understand their daily lives. i don't think that that was what was communicated in that clipovclip or on that appearance.

>> it may not be the stupid party, but we'll settle for the silly party at this point. >> thank you for your time tonight. coming up, meet the real leaders of the gop, the radio talkers who took down eric cantor are taking aim at their next target. and it's bad news for the republican party. also, the first lady's fight against junk food. why do right wingers want to feed this stuff to your kids? she talked about it today. plus, how rachel gintal fulfilled her final promise to her friend trayvon martin. >> he would be very proud of her. he would just tell her, you did it. you did it. you made it. >> my special interview with rachel and trayvon's mom. it's an inspiring story you'll want to see this.

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>> coming up, who will take over eric cantor's leadership post? it doesn't matter because the conservative media complex is running the republican party. what could possibly go wrong? a lot. that's next. did someone say burn? try alka seltzer reliefchews. they work just as fast and taste better than tums smoothies assorted fruit. mmm. amazing. yeah, i get that a lot. alka seltzer heartburn reliefchews. enjoy the relief. my motheit's delicious. toffee in the world. so now we've turned her toffee into a business. my goal was to take an idea and make it happen. i'm janet long and i formed my toffee company through legalzoom. i never really thought i would make money doing what i love. we created legalzoom to help people start their business and launch their dreams. go to legalzoom.com today

and make your business dream a reality. at legalzoom.com we put the law on your side. >> how did it happen? how did eric cantor lose. it's a question everyone is debatin

debating, but there's no question the right wing media complex played a role. laura ighraham pounded cantor on the radio for weeks. and then she had a rally for dave brat. >> i kind of wish thinking about this that president obama would have thought this through a little bit more and maybe, you know, forgetting sergeant bergdahl out of captivity. instead of sending five taliban mvps over there, he could have just traded one eric cantor. >> she led the eric cantor charged. but many followed. ann coulter called cantor a maniacal amnesty supporter. "the drudge report" posted links to articles critical to cantor. and there was an assault on the airwaves. >> you don't have to convince me that eric cantor is a guy who

has sold us a load of goods. >> who do you think barack obama and nancy pi lolosi to win this? >> eric cantor is a flounder. flipping and flopping and flopping and flipping. i listen to the guy and i say who the hell is this guy? doesn't strike me as particularly bright. >> that is the real power in the republican party. and the real leaders are those on the air. and it can't be good for their brand. so forget cantor. laura ingraham could be whipping votes. ann coulter shaping opinion. politicians paid tribute to glenn beck. and while he wasn't too involved with cantor, there's no question who's got the gavel. rush limbaugh, the guy who really speaks for the gop. these are the people running the

republican party. it just took cantor's defeat for the rest of them to notice. joining me now is joe madison. thanks for being here. >> thank you, reverend sharpton. >> joe, the media complex rules the party. where is this going for a party trying to rebrand? >> well, it's going to go straight to mississippi? that's where it's going to go next. and this is what i was saying this morning. and that is, mississippi may be a different animal during the general election. clearly a republican is going to win the republican primary, but what they better understand is that the al sharptons, the joe madisons, the -- you know, the other talk show personalities have a, what, a very large african-american voting population in that state. and we could very well be the

margin of victory to change that state from red to blue as it relates to the united states senate. >> but that's in the general. let's go to mississippi as you said for the primary. the next dave brat may be chris mcdaniel. now, mcdaniel has spoken before at neo-confederate groups. he's criticized the, quote, welfare dependent citizens of new orleans after hurricane katrina. and once said, quote, if they pass reparations and my taxes go up, i ain't paying taxes. so that's the chris mcdaniels that is now on the verge of winning possibly against the incumbent senator cochran. but listen to the talkers gush about him. >> chris mcdaniel is a reagan

conservative, a constitutional conservative. >> these are the people we prayed for for five years. and you guys are starting to stand up. >> i've always been very, very reluctant to endorse in primaries. very product. and i decided to get into this race and support chris mcdaniels because i see him as a solid conservative. >> this would send shock waves through the incumbency class if you're able to beat thad cochran, and i hope you do. >> they're willing to do more for an extremist like mcdabble now that they've had a victory like brat? >> absolutely. they have been emboldened by the seventh district in the commonwealth in virginia. there's no if, ands, buts about it. now remember, they have lost some, they have won some. let's be quite honest. but what makes this -- what sent shock waves here in washington was the fact that that was the number two man. quite honestly, probably the happiest person on capitol hill behind me is boehner because now

he doesn't know what he's going to get and he doesn't know how to respond. but mississippi is the next target, and this is a question of an extremist. now, you will say president obama, we just were talking in the green room with jonathan, isn't on the ballot. yes, he is. this isn't about conservatism. this is about president obama. and they want ted cruz -- listen to me -- they want ted cruz to have a compatriot. that's what they're looking for. >> you know, we've seen the talkers push the republican party to do destructive things. i want to play what they said before last year's government shutdown. >> i'm frankly not that upset by a two-week government shutdown anyway. because it never really shuts down. >> republicans right now if they want to really want to, not just symbolical symbolically, if they want to repeal health care, obama care, they've got to shut the government down.

>> i think we could use a good government shutdown right about now. >> is this why we saw the shutdown, they were pushed into it? >> yes. they were pushed into it by those who have this huge microphone called talk radio. but let me say something that came to my attention just a few minutes ago. the next big fight might be the debt ceiling. that's around august, september. even before we get to another government shutdown, here we go again. throwing the good faith of the united states government into a tail spin and that may be what the truns will have to do, those who are moderate. those who are moderate who compromised, who worked with the president, who dependent want a debt ceiling fight will now be forced before the summer is out to do just that.

>> well, that's where we have to be cautious. the problem i see, joe, is that it affects so much millions of americans. while they operate like this is just sport. joe, i've got to go. thank you for your time tonight. >> anytime, reverend. coming up, first lady michelle obama at the white house today, pushing her campaign for healthy eating. how can anyone be against this? we're following the money tonight. and with an emergency situation in iraq, senator john mccain is in front of the cameras today, blaming president obama? is he serious? especially edition of gotcha is next.

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once again consuming the country. extremist insurgents have flooded from syria and taken control of huge chunks of northern iraq. and now militants are driving towards baghdad. president obama talked about u.s. options today. >> i don't rule out anything because we do have a stake in making sure that these jied hhas are not getting a permanent foothold in either iraq or syria for that matter. we have to deal with what is clearly an emergency situation in iraq. >> president also said we need to address problems like this without sending troops to play whack-a-mole whenever there's a crisis. this is a serious national security issue. but republicans are making political attacks. >> now they've taken control of mosul.

they're 100 miles of baghdad. what's the president doing? taking a nap. >> taking a nap? i think speaker boehner needs to give it a rest. meanwhile, john mccain and his two sidekicks, lindsey graham and kelly ayotte -- >> this is one of the greatest threats to our national security since the end of the cold war. >> the greatest threat since the cold war? that sounds familiar. here's what he said about iran in 2006. quote, the most serious crisis we have faced outside of the entire war on terror since the end of the cold war. and here's what he said about russia's invasion of georgia in 2008. >> we have reached a crisis, the

first, probably, serious crisis internationally since the end of the cold war. >> he's got cold war on the brain. here's what he said about north korea in 2003. >> i think it's a crisis of great magnitude, a greater threat than iraq poses in the short term. >> and when he wanted to bomb saddam hussein in 2003, he said, quote, i believe iraq is a threat of the first order. for mccain, everything is a threat. everything is a crisis. everything is the worst thing since the cold war. president obama is working with his national security team to figure out what to do. the one thing he won't do -- listen to a war hawk who keeps crying wolf. nice try, senator mccain, but we gotcha. ♪ ♪ yeah ♪ don't stop now, come on mony ♪ come on, yeah

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>> we have a health crisis in this country. far too many children are overweight. today senators heard testimony fewer young adults are able to join the military. now republicans claim they're the party of national security. so surely they're working to get our kids healthy, right? wrong. next week, house republicans are expected to move forward with a bill that would gut new school nutrition standards promoted by the first lady. they're looking to make this problem worse. and that's not stopping the first lady from doing all she can to get our kids heating healthy. today at the white house, she invited local children to try fruits and veggies grown in the white house garden.

we simply can't afford to say oh, welsh it's too hard, so let's not do it. as this first lady will tell you, i'm going to fight till the bitter end to make sure that every kid in this country continues to have the best nutrition that they can have in our schools, because these kids, all of these kids are worth it. >> they are worth it. and it's about time the other side realized that. >> joining me now is joe berg, the coalition against hunger and karen finney. thank you both for come on the show tonight. >> hey, rev. >> joan, the child obesity crisis is becoming a national security threat. why are those on the other side, why aren't they taking it seriously? >> well, we've known that decades that hunger and obesity are flip sides of the same malnutrition coin. the whole reason the national school lunch program was started

in the 1950s was as a defense effort prk because generals came to president truman and said our kids are too malnourished to fight. it seems that the only play in the republican playbook since the time of reagan has been taking away food from hunger and middle class kids. it makes no sense. it's bad on substance, bad on politics. >> the first lady argued this isn't just about health, it's about helping kids succeed a academical academical academically. listen to this. >> we are paying billions of dollars to invest in that food as taxpayers. and as a result, it's up to us to make sure that these kids get the best food that they can get into their stomachs because it's not just about nutrition, it's about their academic success. we know that kids who have nutritious foods, vegetables and fruits, they do better in school. they have better disciplinary outcomes. they have higher test scores.

>> your response? >> well, i worked in education for quite a long time. think about it, when a child comes to school hupgry or is eating maybe potato chips, not a healthy meal. that brain food helps them concentrate better in class. therefore they do better in class. also you don't get those spikes that you see when kids eat too much sugar. that also can, you know, lead to disciplinary problems. in so many schools, they don't have pe anymore, right? so part of this is we need to -- that's part of what let's move was about. it's a whole comprehensive look at how to be healthy and stay healthy and eat healthy so that our kids have the brain energy they need to succeed. >> you know, joe, one of the main groups fighting the first lady's healthy eating initiatives is a group called the school nutrition association. it represents companies like

conagra, domino's pizza, general mills, craft, pepsico, coca-cola, sara lee. but get this -- the school nutrition association collected nearly $7 billion from those processed food companies in 2012. >> i think it's important to note, reverend, that many of the former presidents of that very association have said they support the better nutrition standards. and so there really has been a lot of turmoil in that group. and i don't think they really represent the bulk of people feeding our kids around the country. it's just good for the schools, it's good for the kids. there's no reason forward-thinking schools can't make the more nutritious standards. >> you know, a new report out today, karen, points out something very interesting. it says, quote, the school nutrition association has switched to a strategy of lobbying congress rather than the usda to weaken school food

standards. i mean, is that what we are seeing more opposition? is that why we are seeing the congress more willing to block these measures, karen? >> absolutely. big food is big money here in washington, d.c. so absolutely. they are trying to influence lawmakers so that they will photoa certain way on this legislation. that's wart of why the first lady has been so clear she's going to stay engaged on this to the very end because those lobbying interests are getting in there and changing -- i mean, rev, you've talked about this before. we're talking about healthy food for their children. right? it' good for our kids, good for their education. it's also good for our economy. because think about how much we're spending later in life when people are dealing with health care problems related to obesity and diabetes. it makes sense on so many fronts. but sure, we're seeing a very craven political activity here on the part of these groups

lobbying members of congress. >> now, joe, parents can play a key role in this. are there any signs that parents groups and other organized groups that have real investment in the schools are going to do serious pushback on groups like this that are lobbying against what's clearly healthy for our children? >> many parents are pushing back. because they understand this is about and they understand this is about politics. most republicans would probably support stronger standards if it wasn't pushed by the president. sometimes i think if president obama cured kans, they would complain that he put chemotherapy companies out of business. >> you're laughing but the attacks have gotten more and more -- i mean, it is absolutely outrageous what some of them say that have no consideration for the children at all. and the strident nature and the vile way that they're attacking

this is nothing short of incredible. >> you're exactly right. and the way they've attacked the first lady, talking about a nanny state and suggesting she's trying to raise your children when what we're talking about is as the federal government is -- let's make sure we're feeding kids nutritious food. we're reducing salts and fat. i mean, that should be a very easy nonpartisan issue. but because this congress is so partisan, so bitter, it is -- there's no question that a lot of opposition we're seeing so this is because the obamas think it's a good idea. >> joe, are you confident the first lady's program can get tloing this congress? >> i am because the president said that he is likely to veto the bill if they don't change it. i'm hoping the democrats in the senate stop this foolishness. it's about healthier meals. it's about lower health care costs. it's about improved education. why that doesn't matter in washington these days is beyond me. and it may take the have the to

veto this to send the message, this is unacceptable. >> all right, we'll leave it there. thank you both for your time this evening. >> thanks, rev. still ahead, governor rick perry compares homosexuality to alcoholism. yes you heard that right. and my emotional interview with rachel jintal and trayvon martin's mom. and that's epic, bro, we've forgotten just how good good is. good is setting a personal best before going for a world record. good is swinging to get on base before swinging for a home run. [ crowd cheering ] good is choosing not to overshoot the moon, but to land right on it and do some experiments. ♪ so start your day off good with a coffee that's good cup after cup. maxwell house. ♪ good to the last drop ugh. heart did someone say burn?

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>> the world was introduced to rachel nearly one year ago, when the grieving teenager was thrown into the national spotlight at the zimmerman murder trial. she was on the phone with her friend trayvon martin right before he was killed. on that final call, they talked about their dreams. one of rachel's was to finish high school. she promised trayvon she would get her degree. with the help of the tom joyer foundation, she worked with tutors and two week s ago, the emotion moment, dressed in a graduation cap and down, she received her high school diploma. and who was on the front row tearing up watching, trey son

m trayvon martin's mother. it was a promise rachel kept to her friend trayvon and to herself. joining me now is rachel and sabrina fulton. thank you both for being here. >> thank you for having us. >> and congratulations, rachel. >> thank you so much. >> what would trayvon say about your accomplishments? >> he would say you did it, you finally did it. >> how much did you think about trayvon in your studies? >> in the morning i would have to wake up at 4:00 in the morn ing to get up for school bus and the morning was crazy. >> yeah. >> like, i don't know, some spirit saying get up, get up. >> is brain that, what was going through your mind seeing

rachel's accomplishment? >> i was so proud of her just to see that she remained commitmented to her dream. and that was one of her dreams. it seemed simple to a lot of people, but just for her to graduate from high school was a dream of hers. i was just glad to see, i was filled with joy to see her walk across the stage. and of course, i teared up. of course, i thought about trayv trayvon. and i thought about her and him on the telephone. i was just proud. >> you mentioned trayvon, what do you think he would say to rachel? >> he would just tell her, you did it, you did it. you made it. >> thank you. >> and i told her on graduation day, i said, you know, this is the end of high school, but this is the beginning to a whole new world, a whole new journey, a whole new life, you know. you can't just stop here. so she knows that and she appreciates everything that everybody does for her.

she's a very appreciative person. sometimes she can't put it into words, but she does appreciate everything and all the love and support that she received. >> what are you doing now? >> preparing for college. >> you're going to college? okay. >> i'm going to college, i'm going to college. and, like, kids who never been in my position, never had to go to the media, dpeel with the nationwide that have a situation different from mine, motivate them, helping them out. and still study, that's the main thing. >> going on to college. that's beautiful. well rachel, we thank you and proud that you've made this achievement. and sabrina fulton, god bless you. thank you for sharing your great story with us. and congratulations again rachel

and keep on going. >> thank you. >> thank you, rev. coming up, rick perry compares homosexuality to alcoholism. i have some advice for governor perry. and we say goodbye to a true icon. ruby dee, a legend on the screen and a civil rights activist. my thoughts on her legacy ahead. ♪ [ male announcer ] "west" didn't end where columbus landed. not on the banks of the mississippi, or even the coast of california. the new ram 1500 ecodiesel. with 9,200 pounds of towing and 28 highway miles per gallon. west will never end. guts. glory. ram.

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>> it's no secret that republicans have trouble with gay rights. the latest comments come from texas governor rick perry. brace yourself for this one. >> i may have the genetic coding that i'm inclined to be an alcoholic, but i have the desire not to do that. and i look at the homosexual issue the same way. >> yes, you heard that right. governor perry just compared homosexuality to alcoholism. to a disease. it's offensive and it's hurtful. but you know what? we're here to help to to the night with dr. rev self-help program, because you are not

powerless to change. and you can be kushed. so let's get started. the first lesson is simple, admit your party has a problem. now, i know it's not easy, but it should be. >> you i don't need to be in the pew every sunday to know that there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military. >> the moment shomosexuals are their agendas down our throats. >> no group, be it gays, be it nambla, people who believe in beast yalty. it doesn't matter what they are, they don't get to change the definition. >> we take livable standards away in homosexuality, what about the other? what about bestiality. >> it was an inappropriate analogy. i think a much better analogy would be brother and sister, don't you? >> so yeah, we have some work to do with that. let's get to step two, shall we? change your policies because

there can be no growth without change. >> i support the federal marriage amendment. >> marriage is between one man and one woman. >> i believe in the traditional definition of marriage. >> i'm not for any special protection based on orientation. >> in my home state, i was the chief author of a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. >> we prevent eed massachusetts from becoming the las vegas of gay marriage. >> that one might take a little reflection. moving on to step three, and it's a big one. apologize. yes, the two hardest works in the english language. i'm sorry. want to give it a shot, governor? >> sorry. oops. >>. s is right. you and your party have a long way to go. so good luck to the entire right wing on your road to recovery. and next time, i'll introduce you to my special blueberry pie

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finally tonight, saying goodbye to actor and civil rights activist ruby bee. she was an amazing soul on the stage and on the screen and on the street. she made a splash, starring in "a raisin in the sun" opposite sidney portier. she was the first black woman to appear in major roles at the american shakespeare festival. and over the last half century ruby dee starred in scores of films, including spike lee's "do the right thing" with her husband. >> hey! you old drunk. what did i tell you about drinking in front of my stoop. move out, you're blocking my view. >> they were married for nearly

60 years. partners in life and in art. together, they were passionate voices for civil rights. they emceed the march on washington in 1963, and they were friends and supporters of both martin luther king and malcolm x. her entire life, she fought the evils of injustice and racism. >> there's something about racism, you know, that it -- racism destroys self-confidence. it stomps on daring, you know? and that's what it does to our children. and it shortens our reach. because we begin to believe everything that's said about us. we buy into it. not everybody does. some young people -- although i

thought i was tough and i was a street fighter and everything. but as i look back, i was all those things because i wasn't -- i didn't know how to buck the e rejection that i felt. >> i know in my own life the dozens, the scores of times i've seen her at rallierallies, at meetings, at gatherings. but ruby dee was not just one star that would give her celebrity, not just show up to entertain. she would march. i will never forget in the very late '90s, '99, when a young man had been killed by police in new york and we decided on a daily basis to go to police headquarters and lay down and be arrested in protest to raise that issue. i looked up one day and ossie davis and ruby dee marched with

me, handcuffed with us. went to jail to stand up for a young man that they never knew. she didn't just talk the talk. she walked the walk. she wasn't an actress lending her name. she was an activist for real. ruby dee, we'll never forget. thanks for watching. i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. >> target, baghdad. let's play "hardball." >> good evening. i'm chris matthews in washington. let me start tonight with the threat to baghdad and to the entire american investment of lives and treasure in thoo country. the tens of thousands of iraqis who died in a war we begin in 2003. a question now for my