March 30, 2007 -- REV. Jesse Jackson is already backing a presidential candidate, Barack Obama - but the Rev. Al Sharpton denies persistent rumors he's throwing his support to Hillary Clinton.
"I am unequivocally not endorsing Hillary or anyone else," Sharpton told Page Six.
As to a tip we got that he and Bill Clinton recently enjoyed cigars together in Clinton's Harlem office, Sharpton - in Las Vegas yesterday to address the Trial Lawyers Association - said, "I don't think he even smokes cigars anymore since his bypass." Insiders confirmed that Al and Bill met at the latter's smoke-free office about two weeks ago.
Sharpton will certainly not make any official announcement until Sen. Clinton, Sen. Obama, John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden and even Dennis Kucinich address his National Action Network Convention at the Sheraton New York April 18-21.
"I want to hear all of them," Sharpton said.
Or, as one politico told us, "All the candidates have to come and kiss his a - -."
Sharpton's convention will also feature appearances by Bill O'Reilly, former Knick Allan Houston, Ed Koch, Spike Lee, Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean.
The high point could be the panel moderated by Mike Wallace on "Does the Media Fairly Cover People and Issues of Color?" with NBC's Brian Williams, ABC's Martin Bashir, CNN's Paula Zahn and ex-MSNBC-er Rita Cosby.
Jackson told the Associated Press that he was backing Obama. "He has my vote," the fellow Chicagoan said. Asked whether it was problematic to be backing Obama, given his history of supporting the Clintons, Jackson said, "It's not awkward at all. I don't owe a debt to any of them."
Jackson also said that Obama had not asked him to campaign for him and denied he was a member of Obama's inner circle of advisors. "I just have an appreciation of him," Jackson said.
One political observer said, "Al is furious that Jesse Jackson got on the Obama train before he could."
