Learn From The Masters

Reverend Sharpton and Mayor Bloomberg show us how it’s done:

It was an odd moment in the aftermath of the police shooting of Sean Bell: the Rev. Al Sharpton posing with Mayor Bloomberg before TV cameras at a City Hall press conference but then bolting before the first word was uttered.

Bloomberg explained Sharpton’s hasty departure Monday by saying the reverend had to rush to a meeting with the victim’s family.

In fact, Sharpton hadn’t wanted to attend the press conference at all — but was persuaded by the mayor to put in a brief appearance, sources said.

With Sharpton at his side, Bloomberg could demonstrate that he had reached out to the most fiery critic of the NYPD.

But by leaving early, Sharpton avoided putting himself in an awkward situation where he might have to publicly disagree with the mayor, whom some had expected to defend the police.