According to the New York Post The Rev. Al Sharpton directly accused Sen. Obama of trying to “grandstand to white people” during a phone call yesterday. Sharpton was referring to Obama’s call for nonviolence following the outcome of a controversial case involving Sean Bell who was shot 50 times by undercover police officers. Those officers were found not guilty of various charges this week.

“[Obama] issues this statement and not a single rock had been thrown,” said a source. “How does the candidate of change ask people to accept a verdict that is unjust?”

The source said Sharpton had hoped Obama would “side with the Bell family” and not use it as an “opportunity to grandstand in front of white people.”

Sharpton has threatened to “shut down New York City” to protest.

My take? Obama is not going to be helped with the sections of white America he is trying to win over by Sharpton, Jackson or this weeks media tour by his former pastor Rev. Wright. Honestly the best thing Obama could do is to tell Sharpton where he can stick the grandstanding charges.