To Sharpe James: don't let the door hit you in the back

Sharpe James, the borderline-nutzo but crazy-like-a-fox machine politician who won 5 terms as mayor of Newark (mostly by intimidation, dishonesty, the most contemptible form of race-baiting, etc), has bailed on the race for the sixth term. He cedes the field to candidate Corey Booker, who was the victim in a previous 2002 race of some of the James Machine's most flagrant tactics, as detailed in the magnificent documentary Street Fight. Corey's still in the race and is now by far the favored candidate.

Race-baiting can be black-on-black too, and James was a past master at it. It's great to see him go, and the only thing sweeter would be to see a criminal investigation into his past malfeasance.

[Update 5.11.06] Called it.