Jesse Jackson apologizes to Barack Obama
Barack Obama and high-profile African American ministers just don't seem to mix. First there was Rev. Jeremiah Wright damning America, and now Rev. Jesse Jackson is threatening to cut off the Illinois senator's unmentionables:
The civil rights leader apparently did not know that his microphone was on when he made the whispered comments to another guest as he prepared to do an interview on "Fox & Friends."
"Barack, he's talking down to black people," Jackson said in a short clip the network aired this afternoon on "Special Report with Brit Hume."
Hume reported that Jackson also "threatened to cut off a certain part of Obama's anatomy."
Ouch. That must hurt -- especially since Jackson, who endorsed Obama, has called the White House hopeful Illinois' "favorite son."
It's quite possibly the most highly anticipated accidental slip ever. Even the reverend has apologized in advance, the Caucus reports:
Presumably trying to get ahead of the controversy, Mr. Jackson also appeared by telephone on CNN Wednesday afternoon. He said the remark was “very private, and very much a sound bite,” and added that he had called Mr. Obama’s campaign to “send my statement of apology.”
Time Magazine provides Obama's short-but-not-sweet statement:
“As someone who grew up without a father in the home, Senator Obama has spoken and written for many years about the issue of parental responsibility, including the importance of fathers participating in their children’s lives.... He will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other, and he of course accepts Reverend Jackson’s apology,” said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.
The campaign may not have much to say, but bloggers are stepping up to the plate. "This has to be some sort of new speed record," marvels The Swamp, and Comedy Central asks the burning question:
What the [bleep] is wrong with him? If I were a controversial black Democrat, I wouldn't even think disparaging comments about Barack Obama near a Fox News microphone.
Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin gleefully snarks, "But, you know, it’s us meanie conservatives who are responsible for all the race-based smears. Uh-huh." But Salon, unperturbed, takes the longer view:
To be politically crude about it, it's hard to imagine that Barack Obama, whose African-American support is rock-solid, is going to be hurt by an off-the-record complaint by Jesse Jackson that he's being too morally demanding, particularly as reported by Fox News.
No live mic here, just a poll:
*Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press
Jessie Jackson is so jealous of Barack Obama. Barack must be doing a fine job. Jackson meant everything he said. Jessie Jackson always wants the spotlight shining on him. Sorry Jessie this is Barack's time. Barack for President.
Posted by: RadianChalant | July 09, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Reverend? "Reverend" Jackson needs religion and spirituality especially for real! I'm sending him to Oprah for counseling and then on to all of the people on Oprah and Friends.
Posted by: Adelemeekins | July 09, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Like Rev. Wright, Rev. Jackson shows how anti-Obama the older black leadership continues to be. Like Sharpton, this older generation of black male leaders (and older white female feminists) are wedded to a older narrative of identity politics which they have exploited to empower themselves. Americans must turn the page. We must move forward into the 21st century for the sake of our country and our children and grandchildren. We must vote for Senator Obama in November. McSame will be an even worse catastrophe for our Republic. Bush is retarded and cunning. McSame is near dementia and incoherent. McSame will be even more dangerous for the US.
Posted by: shirlin | July 09, 2008 at 08:57 PM
If Jackson was hoping for a place on the Obama team, he has lost it now.
Posted by: Ricky | July 10, 2008 at 11:59 AM
P.S. Obama watch out for Rev. Jackson he meant what he said, he is lying again when he states he didn't. This is the mess I know you been dealing with and I know it is hard, but you keep up the good work.
Posted by: Teresa Willis | July 12, 2008 at 07:30 AM
First of all, I would like to say that I have never been a supporter of Rev. Jackson because I have never seen him a truthfully christian person and his extra marriage affairs (publicly) makes him not fit to talk about any issues certainly on how black people should live their lives. Rev. Jackson has clearly shown previously, now and later in his life he do not follow the same guidelines that he be trying to preach.
His ignorant comments is what is wrong with the black race efforts to move up in society. He is black but yet he takes the time to want to put black people down all the time, but look at his life (affair can't keep it in your pants man for only your wife). So Rev. Jackson lets talk about that how you treated a good woman who stands by your side so bad.
I am a black american female and it saddens me that I have a bachelor degree and can not get a job faster than a white person who do not have a degree or a mexican person who do not have a degree, can not speak or write hardly any English. Black people are so divided and I do not see when black people will ever come together to fight for equality in the US.
I know one thing we do not need anyone who claims (he has always been a fake person to me) to be an advocate for fairness and equality of black people putting someone of any race down especially the black race.
I have never voted for Rev. Jackson in anything because I felt he was only down for him self and never cared about black people and looks like his true colors finally surfaced. It is about time people see what he is all about black people fool by this man (Rev. Jackson) thinking he cared about us. Rev. Jackson stands for Rev. Jackson and will sell a black person out in a minute, better yet in a second.
Rev. Jackson will always make some kind of public speeches trying to put the black people down because he feels this is the best way to get money out of white people to make them seems that he is always on their side when it comes to black people. I never like the guy.
I say to Rev. Jackson sit down and shut up and stay out of the media you are only looking like a jealous fool. I know you are jealous that Obama has know such a better job than you did when you tired to run for president. I feel you (Jackson) you fail because you were not an honest person and the lord know who to bless and not to bless; plus Obama is smarter than you are and do not kiss up to people (sell out).
Rev. Jackson as sad as it might be you truly live your life in a slave mentality fashion. Thank God you did not get any further in your president effort years ago, because of the way you put black people down so much we will be feeling like we are living in slavery time. Rev. Jackson you are truly the house (N) and truth black people are the field (N), and every time you get a chance you run to master with lies and sell out your own race.
Obama, it is hard enough having to deal with rasicm from other races but having to deal with rasicm and talk about negatively by your own black race, is hard to deal with but you are doing a great job, I am voting for you and america needs a change and someone who can remember what they have said the day before.....McCain is too old.
Rev. Jackson I feel it is time for you to retire from the public eyes. Stay at home and relax and shut your mouth and read up or come up with a solution how you improve your extra martial affairs and how yourself can because a better black person (since you seem to always have an issues with how all black people live their lives).
Posted by: Teresa Willis | July 12, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Jessie Jackson is another big mouth ministers hiding behind the cloak of religion with obviously a hidden agenda.
He ought to be praying to his so called god to get a pair of his own nutss instead of trying to take from someone who happens to have nuts. Jessie, remember the commandmand, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods"lol
I feel sorry for the black community and his family....nevertheless, it's important that those, like Jessie, who claim to be religious leaders who are really nothing more than self-centered and obsessed with power and control be exposed for the well being of those they pretend to serve.
Posted by: cindy | July 12, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Jackson the philanderer - NOT to be confused with philanthropist - has zero credibility; only mindless sheep would follow such a self-serving wolf.
Posted by: Robert NO longer in LA | July 12, 2008 at 08:01 AM
As a survivor of historical horrific abuse/injustice in this country (I'm not black).....Jessie's hidden agenda but now exposed agenda is to keep the black community trapped thinking and feeling like victims because that's the only way he'll have power, a voice and platform.
At least Obama raises the bar and encourages our fellow black citizens to do better, despite the past and/or present injustices in this country, the the black community's own credit as victimssurvivors of injustice.
I hope those vulnerable who follow Jackson will be free of the denial and him and will now see how he has exploited the pain and suffering of his "own people" for his own selfish gain.
His professed position as a minister of faith is nothing more than a tool to lead vulnerable/good people going down the wrong path.
Hopefully, this time the exposed truth that Jackson is a liar (says one thing and does another) will truly set those free who he claims to advocate for.
Posted by: carrie | July 12, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Well Well, who could tell, Jesse Jackson finally showed his true side, now his butt is starting to smell. It is sad that so many ministers hide their true feelings until they get to a point of feeling the lack of power or public acknowlegement. Jesse has reached that point in his life and I would suggest he go back to his Rainbow Coalition and apoligies to all who supported him all these years. Jesse has done a lot of good not only for Black People but for this country too. But when you as a minister talk as a a fool, it is time to close cthe books. Go take care of all the other wrongs you have done and stop being a public fool. It is said people want know you are a fool unless you open your mouth; well Jesse you not only opened your moth but you put your foot in it. Truly Truly sad for the Devil to have "GOT YOU."
Posted by: Ed | July 12, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Well Well, who could tell, Jesse Jackson finally showed his true side, now his butt is starting to smell. It is sad that so many ministers hide their true feelings until they get to a point of feeling the lack of power or public acknowlegement. Jesse has reached that point in his life and I would suggest he go back to his Rainbow Coalition and apoligies to all who supported him all these years. Jesse has done a lot of good not only for Black People but for this country too. But when you as a minister talk as a a fool, it is time to close cthe books. Go take care of all the other wrongs you have done and stop being a public fool. It is said people want know you are a fool unless you open your mouth; well Jesse you not only opened your moth but you put your foot in it. Truly Truly sad for the Devil to have "GOT YOU."
Posted by: Ed | July 12, 2008 at 10:43 AM
rev.jackson need to remember what bill cosby said at morehouse college. about the young african american girls. stop having babies at an early age with different father's and educate them self's in school . and as african american man I do agree with obama statement . so rev.jackson you need open your eyes or shut up. because it 's the truth and I was jackson supporter
Posted by: mike cox | July 12, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Jessie Jackson has interviewed with news networks many times... I'm sure that he was well aware that NOTHING is off the record, especially with a mic attached.
I must question his tactics that appear as nothing more than a disturbed indibidual's desperate attempt at getting attention.
If he had genuine concerns about Obama motives, then he should have come clean publicly about that instead of being a poster boy for O'bama, while disdaining him all along.
it's also sad that Obama has only distance himself from such abusive clerics only when their abuse has been exposed.
Obama could do better too....So sad that there is still so much fear of religious institutions regardless of the harm they cause, just to get a vote.
I've never heard the support for agnostics/atheist whose actions speak much louder of compassion than the words of so called religious charities.
Posted by: cindy | July 12, 2008 at 11:53 AM
We better think twice wanting this half-american man with the foreign name (including his children) who was born muslim to be our President. Jesse is now seeing what Obama is really like--nasty, arrogant, and will push anyone including his kids now under the bus, train, and car to get what he wants. I'm Black and I'm young but the media is not going to control me by telling me what black person I should vote for. I'll pass on this one and vote for McCain.
Posted by: Liberty B. | July 12, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Shamefull that Money is wasted with petty gossip and stupidty..This bing the Memorial for Katrina Victims..I understand Man just cannot under. Degnity and respect for each other and Love for our American Way. Obama is the Anti-Christ and will destroy the America Way. I am ashamed and embaressed how our Country cannot Mange its affairs. People our Sons are being slaughter over what..Why..This is shameful..Obama will Reign as phrosied for 6 years his own kind will kill him becasue of why he is a Man that is caught in the Sins of Man..
I am Native American Seminole..My people My people want Peace..Peace..
Posted by: Saint Gabriael | July 12, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Jesse Jackson said what he said because he hates the fact that Obama is asking the black community to look past the negative stereotypes and challenges everyone to recognize their potential and God given talents. I have always felt that Jackson makess his living by keeping the negative images alive. Obama is about changing the future of the black community - Jackson is about keeping the community tethered to the past.
Posted by: Olivia | July 12, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Rev. Jackson, you are one of the best supporters the white man has. See; it's not just a white thing. Thank you for being honest with your thoughts.
Posted by: richard short | July 12, 2008 at 08:50 PM
I remeber Jesse Jackson from visiting the Lorraine Motel. Jesse is a soilder. I remeber the talk of Mr. Jackson attending my Aunts funeral. I remeber former Predisential canadite Jackson speaking at my University. I remeber the Rev. Jesse Jackson saying many times keep hope alive. I have always questioned Rev. Jackson's committment to black people & more over humanity.
Please retire Mr. Jackson you are not "now" committed to the advancement of people.
I hope this WAKES UP other (fake) leaders of the people- the old days of separatism are over.
The church and the black church do not rule: they are apart of the process.
Posted by: lacoiscorrupt | July 13, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Let me get this straight.
(1) Obama crosses the line of separation of church and state by committing to federal funding for faith based initiatives -- a page out of Bushit.
(2) Obama blames the victims more than addressing the causes of a "remnant urban underclass afflicted with all the pathologies" (Rutten, Sister Souljah, LAT).
This isn't pure political pandering?
I agree with Reverend Jackson, except there is nothing to cut off. Witness Obama's record on the FISA immunity issue.
Posted by: old91A10 | July 13, 2008 at 10:17 AM