New Tone? President Obama Kisses Al Sharpton's Ring

Obama pays tribute to Rev. Al at NYC gala

(By LEONARD GREENE and TODD VENEZIA, NY Post) - Looks like Rev. Al has friends in high places.

President Obama, embroiled in a furious battle over the federal budget, swept into New York last night for a star-studded celebration of the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network and gave the beaming civil-rights leader a rousing slap on the back.

"Some things have changed a lot since 1991. I told Rev. Al backstage he's getting skinnier than me," the president joked about his formerly portly pal during a keynote address celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sharpton's organization.

"But he hasn't lost his style," Obama said.