WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Controversial black activist Rev. Al Sharpton said on Sunday he would seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 because the party had failed to adequately address issues like voting rights that "are dear and near to us."
Sharpton, 46, announced his decision to seek the nomination in the Sunday edition of Time magazine, saying the "Democratic Party must be challenged in 2004 because it didn't fight aggressively to protect our voting rights in Florida."
"I think we need to look at running a black in the primary," he told Time. "I have said I would be available to do it."
Sharpton filed suit in Florida alleging civil rights violations in connection with the contested presidential vote last year between President Bush and former Vice President Al Gore. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights investigated and criticized alleged irregularities that hampered voting among blacks in Florida.
"The Democratic Party in my judgement fumbled the ball on the issue of voter rights and voter protections and we need to really have a real galvanizing and dramatic campaign to really bring to focus the issues," Sharpton told CNN on Sunday.
"I think that it's important that we not be on the sidelines in 2004 providing record numbers of votes and getting minimal volume on the issues and concerns that are dear and near to us," he added.
Sharpton said the only way he would not run would be if Rep. Maxine Waters, a California Democrat, or some other prominent candidate withsimilar views decided to step into the race.
Sharpton has been at the forefront of battles against police brutality and racial profiling, with demonstrations, marches and traffic blockades. But his flamboyant personality and aggressive tactics have often drawn sharp criticism.