The Rev. Al Sharpton is Becoming Obama White House Insider

There has been much reported on the disagreement between Tavis Smiley and The Rev. Al Sharpton about whether the White House should adopt a "black agenda," and focus on issues that specifically address the Black community.

President Obama has turned to Sharpton in recent weeks to answer increasingly public criticism in the Black community over his economic policies and subtle approach to addressing race. Sharpton has been to the White House five times since Obama took office, most recently this month as part of a small group meeting with economics advisor Lawrence Summers.

There are signs that Sharpton will play a role in mobilizing the black community in this fall's midterm elections. According to the Wall Street Journal, Democratic National Committee Chairman, Timothy Kaine, conferred with Sharpton about going to black churches and neighborhoods to mobilize voters.

There has been criticism of Sharpton's "relationship," with the White House, most predictably by conservatives, but also by some Black leaders who resent Sharpton being annointed as representation for the whole of the black community by some. White House officials demur, saying that Sharpton is one of "many leaders we continue to speak with on the issues of the day."

Professor Cornel West said in an interview that Sharpton risked becoming a "symbolic insider," whose views would be trumped by White House support for economic policies geared toward boosting Wall Street and away from Sharpton's grassroots constituency.

But Sharpton has been broadening his horizons, so to speak, most clearly symbolized by his work with uber-conservative Newt Gingrich. He and Gingrich toured schools in several cities last year with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to promote programs to close the racial achievement gap.

Why should White House conversations with anyone about issues affecting the Black community be an issue?