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Rev. Jesse Jackson in the Hot Seat
Published by Pamela Gentry on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 12:15 pm.
By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer July 10, 2008 – The Rev. Jesse Jackson is no stranger to controversy, media spotlight or the ground rules when speaking with the press. But if he had forgotten, his latest slip of the tongue will serve as a pungent reminder to remember past lessons.
On Sunday, while in the FOX News studio waiting to be interviewed, Jackson leaned over to another guest, Reed V. Tuckson, the former chief medical officer for the District of Columbia and President of the Charles Drew University in Los Angeles, and whispered, “Barack has been talking down to Black people. …I want to cut his nuts off.” In a rapid response, the founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition issued a statement denouncing the “crude” nature of his comments and apologized to the presumptive Democratic nominee.
“I apologize,” Rev. Jackson said Wednesday. “My support for Senator Obama’s campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal. I cherish this redemptive and historical moment. My appeal was for the moral content of his message, to not only deal with the personal and moral responsibility of Black males, but to deal with the collective moral responsibility of government and the public policy which would be a corrective action for the lack of good choices that often led to their irresponsibility.”
Still, his actions brought swift rejection from the civil rights leader’s son, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.), the national co-chairman of Obama’s presidential campaign. In rallying behind his candidate, he proved that political alliances can be stronger than family ties. “I’m deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson’s reckless statements about Senator Barack Obama. His divisive and demeaning comments about the presumptive Democratic nominee – and I believe the next president of the United States – contradict his inspiring and courageous career,” Jackson Jr. wrote in a statement.
Jackson said his comments were in reference to visits Obama has made to Black churches during his campaign, at which the 46-year-old senator has said Black folks are responsible for their families and their communities. While Jackson has also been outspoken about Black America’s responsibility to play an active role in improving its plight, he has been careful to highlight the government’s responsibility to provide equal opportunity and racial justice.
But, Jackson knows that everything one says while wearing a microphone in a television studio is on the record. He also knows that a careless remark – even one he thought was off the record – can be costly. After all, it was his clumsy reference to Jews as “Hymies” and New York as “Hymietown” during his 1984 presidential bid that nearly destroyed his lifelong work within the Jewish community. And his gaffe late last year about Obama “acting White” perhaps revealed Jackson’s latent belief that the Illinois senator’s political perspective was out of line with that of the traditional civil rights establishment.
Granted, this was a careless move on Jackson’s part, but I also know it was not intended to do harm to the Obama’s shot at being commander and chief. After hearing his comments had been recorded, Jackson appeared on CNN to publicly apologize, issued a statement to the press and called the senator’s office with his apology.
His immediate actions may slow his roll on political chatter, but what it won’t stop speculation about some underlying dissention among old-school Black leadership regarding Obama’s candidacy. The topic wasn’t on the radar before this and support for Obama appeared unwavering.
Bill Burton, spokesman for the Obama campaign, suggested that the brouhaha was being blown out of proportion. “Of course” the senator accepts the reverends apology, he said. Jackson’s son’s wasn’t so forgiving. “Reverend Jackson is my dad and I’ll always love him,” he said But, “he should know how hard that I’ve worked for the last year and a half as a national co-chair of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. So, I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself.”
Whew, I bet the next family dinner will be a bit tense at the Jackson’s house.
As a black man, I can see how this will garner some white votes because whites love to stick it to Jesse Jackson when ever they can so, this in a way gives OBAMA credibility with the whites that want to be anti everything Jesse Jackson does.
I believe that our young men need education above anything else to compete in this country. Why is it cool to drop out of school in the 9th grade and waste your life either hanging in school hallways or street corners all dressed alike in the standard gear. In order for our people to improve their lot in life is with education, we must help ourselves before anyone else will, and for all the BROTHERS who have traveled out of the nieghborhood and the ones to stayed to achieve this give yourselves a pat on the back because now the world in yours.
YOU GUYS CAN TALK BUT I BELIEVE THAT JESSE HAS OUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART. YESSSSSSS HE MADE A MISTAKE BUT WE ALL DO, DON’T WE!! BUT HE WILL BE JUDGED BY GOD AND GOD ALONE. I DIDN’T VOTE FOR OBAMA . I THOUGHT THAT CLINTON WOULD MAKE A GOOD PRESIDENT. DON’T GET ME WRONG I BELIEVE THAT OBAMA WOULD TO, BUT I FELT THAT CLINTON WOULD BE MORE APT TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHITE AMERICAN MEDIA TRYING TO ALWAYS TURN BLACK AGAINST EACH OTHERS AND ALL THE DRAMA THAT COMES WITH POLITICS.
PLEASE DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN JESSE AND OBAMA. PLEASE!!! OBAMA I HOPE YOU ARE WE YOU CLAIM TO BE FOR THE PEOPLE NOT JUST BECAUSE OF COLOR(WHI!!!!!)
COLOR.
JESSE…………..HATE THE GAME NOT THE PLAYER!!
YOU JUST MAD THAT HE HAS GOTTEN FARTHER THAN YOU COULD EVER DREAM. JESSE IS JUST ANOTHER CRAB IN A BARRELL!!!!
Who cares what Jesse says anyway….His own son cant stand him….No seriously…Jesse has personal issues that he needs to address before he goes on anyones news show…I have respect for his help in international affairs..but it ends there. Im from Chi and I think OPush is a joke. I havent seen much theyve done for communities except collect members and money. Obama speaks truth and let truth be Jesse. Obama’s words are a reflection on the fact that OPush does nothing for communities…well maybe on the South Side of Chi(where I never go..so maybe they do there…lol)…But where I lived and grew up….Notta…Man up Jesse…eat your words and do something…Im so tired of leaders like you yakkady yakking and doing nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone made a statement that Jesse Jr. should not have said what he did to his father. I was raised quite different if he’s (Jesse Sr.) is wrong he’s just wrong. Bottom line. The truth about a person will always show sooner or later
Well,once again the good old wanna be Rev,has put his foot in his mouth!,I stopped listening,to JESSE,when he cheated on his wife,and went to HELL!!so he is not represented,as being a hater,don’t tell the rappers to stop brawling,when you have exhibited,the same type of crazy stuff,they are doing,you are a waste of hot air,and a disappointment to your on son!! Fool!!Barack 08!!
who the hell do jackson think he is. i dont even refer to him as being a reverend. he doesnt deserve the respect. didn’t he have a baby a couple of years ago on his wife. cheating bastard thats shows his charater. to jesse sit ur tired ass down and appreciate the making u disgust me.
fox news is satan the devil and god will deal with that all those devils in due time. obama was god chosen one. this is all god’s doing. what god do no man can undo.
to Obama: It is better to be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. to Jesse: Always think before you speak. Read Proverb chapter 12 verse 8.
Because of stupid and careless remarks like this, no wonder why all other races think we are idiots (Blacks). There’s a time to play and a time to be serious and each time Jackson has played he has messed up, really really bad. It makes no sense to whisper something like that ever and especially makes no sense to say it in a newsroom. If we want to eliminate the stereotype that Black people are plain idiots then we need to stop having are so-called “leaders” be idiots. Jesse Jackson you should be ashamed of yourself.
1. Media’s attempt to get away from the real issues.
2. I agree with other posters that Jesse has some guilt of past issues
3. Jesse’s attempt to get back in the media.
4. Jesse you lost respect from some folks after the illegimate child event.
5. Your son jesse jr aint even feeling your rants.
6. Can we move forward and get to the real election issues?
It’s sad that Rev. Jesse Jackson was caught saying irresponsible remarks about Obama i dont know if he’s jealous or if it’s a conspiracy to help make him lose, who knows i just think that rev. has to realize that obama has to play his cards right in order to get elected president in this white country. we have came a long way since 1864. we have the chance of getting our first African American president and Rev. jackson should be proud. He should be proud that a little black boy growing up in the inner city with no dad for a role model and a mom who works 2 jobs to pay rent can get inspiration from a positive black man in the media; an image rarely seen an often scrutinized, & that one day that little boy can grow up and be a success and give not only Black children but every child who was counted out because of their social rankings. Rev. jesse Jackson needs to wake up!!!
ok why Ppl
Jackson boys are fighting over Obama get your lives together!
and jessie and his son better vote michel powell1 for the job of President
http://www.myspace.com/michelpowell
COME ON BLACK PEOPLE…..MAN! Y IS IT THAT EVERYTIME WE SEE ANOTHER BLACK MAN/WOMAN ON THE COME UP THERE HAS ALWAYS GOT TO BE SOME RESENTFUL SON OF A B!TCH TRYNA BRING EM DOWN
WHAT HAPPENED TO BLACK UNITY AND COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER INSTEAD OF TEARING DOWN!!!!!!
COME ON JESSE GET OVER THE JEALOUSY AND THE FACT THAT U DIDNT GET AS FAR AS HE HAS
JUST SUPPORT,RESPECT AND APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT U WERE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR BARAK SO THAT HE COULD GET THUS FAR
This is exactly what people like to see. Negativity towards one of their own. Jackson is a hyprocrite. He had an extramarital affair and he wants to be recognized as a close friend of Martin Luther King. MLK is probably turning over in his grave in deep disappointment. Jackson can only wish to be half the man Obama and MLK are. Your life must be pretty sad to berate the man we all hope and pray will be our next U.S. President. I think you are jealous that you could not achieve what Obama has. You are a poor example of a true friend, real man, and man of God. Have you thought of joining the Klan? You would fit right in.
i read each and every post, and i am really impressed by how many people are paying attention to issues regarding this campaign. Kudos!
Now,,
In the beginning i had several things to say, but i read a few things on here i think sum up everything, so i will only
accentuate my points of total agreement,,
1. Mr. Obama is a politician running for the right to lead the entire country, he is not a civil rights leader.
His job as president will be to fight for ALL people of All races creeds and backgrounds.
2. Rev. Jackson is a very savvy Media personality with alot of experience in front of and behind the camera. Yes, mistakes do happen, but if in the years of your experience have not taught you to be prepared for an open mike, then its time to re-evaluate all future speaking engagements.
3. As a black man myself, Rev. Jackson does not speak for me, and should never attempt to for anyone he is not formally aquainted with. If the Reverend thinks we african americans feel spoken down to by Mr. Obama, then he is more out of touch than many of us realized.
Are you listening Rev. Jackson???
good, now please take your seat and give your recent “accident”
some real thought, before you ruin whats left of your tarnished legacy.
As Man of God, Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson should have uttered those those words.
Jesse Jackson with all of his years of experience in the public arena, should have more consideration for Mr. Obama’s current position and goals. I don’t believe that Jesse Jackson has ever truly had the black community’s concerns and best interests at heart. Instead, he is a human publicity stunt as was clearly demonstrated when he half-baked ran for president in the ’80s.
I knew Jesse Jackson was a ‘fool, a hypocrit and an idiot for having a child out of wed lock while he was still married. He should get somewhre and sit down. Too many of htese socalled preachers like Bynum and him “Talk the Talk” but they don’t
Walk The Walk!” They are supposed to be setting examples. No wonder Balcks are still lost in the “wilderness in 2008!”