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NEW YORK, NY March 04, 2004 — Reverend Al Sharpton has said he expects to take his message to the Democratic National Convention regardless of whether he stays in the race. His campaign manager says no decisions have yet been made. But after getting just 8 percent of the vote in his home state, Sharpton's political future is murky. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

Al Sharpton's political power isn't about his national or statewide showing. It's about his ability to deliver black voters. And exit polls taken Tuesday night showed he got about 40 percent of the black vote in New York state.

But for a local African American leader who's been running for various offices for more than a decade, that's not such an accomplishment says political consultant Norman Adler.

ADLER: You know you could talk about power-brokering but you've got to produce something. And he produced very, very little. He didn't even get 50 percent of the vote of the group that he claimed he had a lock on and that was black voters.

Back in 1988, Presidential candidate Jessie Jackson captured 85 percent of New York City's African American vote. But Jackson's campaign was both historic and well organized. And in this election, black primary voters had the same goal as other Democrats according to Queens Congressman Gregory Meeks - who was supporting John Kerry.

MEEKS: They're sending a message that Democrats whether you're black, whether you're white, whether you're from the east, west, north and south they're united against George W. Bush.

Kerry won more than half the black vote in New York. But regardless of whether Sharpton stays in the race, he made it clear on Tuesday that he wants a role in shaping the platform at the Democratic National Convention this summer.

SHARPTON: We must be committed to making sure this party deals with urban agenda. An urban agenda that deals with jobs, healthcare and police misconduct. And whether we pursue that with delegates - and clearly we are winning delegates tonight in New York - or whether we pursue that with the nominee we will make sure that agenda is regarded and respected.

But with just a handful of delegates, Democrats question how much of an impact he'll be able to make. Then there's the question of the convention itself, says former Democratic National Committee vice president Bill Lynch, who was advising Sharpton informally.

LYNCH: He wanted a prime time speaking slot. I think that's out the window now particularly with his small showing and the number of delegates that will be at the convention and what has been written about his interaction with Roger Stone.

Lynch is referring to the Republican consultant who is reportedly helping to finance Sharpton's campaign. A series of articles in the Village Voice uncovered their alliance. There are also questions about Sharpton's campaign finances. He has yet to qualify for federal matching funds and his campaign is half a million dollars in debt.

But Sharpton could get one thing out of this election, says Lynch.

LYNCH: He was able to show that he could hold his own in the debate process and that might get him something on the talking circuit.

Sharpton has clearly raised his profile. He provided some of the only memorable moments during those Democratic debates - and a welcome sense of humor. But if Sharpton has yet to make a major impact on national politics, Lynch and others agree he could still be a key player in New York City. His local following was enough to HELP Fernando Ferrer - and HURT Mark Green - in the 2001 mayoral race. And depending on who runs for Mayor in 2005 he could be either an asset or a liability for other Democrats. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.