Jesse Jackson, embroiled in a new furor, has been here before

Jesse Jackson should have long ago learned the dangers of speaking too bluntly with the media anywhere in sight (or, in the controversy that erupted today, a microphone anywhere near).

Jackson, before this year, laid claim to running the most noteworthy campaigns an African American had waged for the White House. In the 1988, in fact, he was a major factor in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination -- he won 11 primaries and caucuses, briefly led in the delegate count in the early spring and was the last challenger standing against the eventual nominee, then-Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis.

The groundwork for this strong showing had been laid by his candidacy four years earlier. But his 1984 campaign remains best remembered for the flap over disparaging comments he made about Jews and New York City.

As recounted in this post on Washingtonpost.com, Jackson "referred to Jews as 'Hymies' and to New York City as 'Hymietown' in January 1984 during a conversation with a black Washington Post reporter, Milton Coleman.

Jackson had assumed the references would not be printed because of his racial bond with Coleman. But several weeks later Coleman permitted the slurs to be included far down in an article by another Post reporter on Jackson's rocky relations with American Jews. A storm of protest erupted ..."

A "storm" of protest hasn't yet greeted the revelation that Jackson -- ostensibly a Barack Obama supporter -- used crude language a few days ago as he waited to appear on Fox News Channel and, in a whispered aside to another guest, expressed his view that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has been "talking down to black people."

One very strong protest, however, was issued this evening by Jackson's son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois. The congressman's office e-mailed this statement (complete with three sentences boldfaced):

"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.

"Instead of tearing others down, Barack Obama wants to build the country up and bring people together so that we can move forward, together -- as one nation.  The remarks like those uttered on Fox by Revered [sic] Jackson do not advance the campaign's cause of building a more perfect Union.

"Revered [sic] Jackson is my dad and I'll always love him.  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."

On a lighter note, to check out what our friends at The Swamp aptly refer to as a "now-prescient Saturday Night Live cartoon" on an imagined Obama-Jackson-Al Sharpton dynamic, go here.

-- Don Frederick

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Comments

[John Am]

I used to have a great deal of respect for you even though I seldom agreed with you on just about everything . But apologizing for a truthfull and honest remark about Barach Hussein Obama puts you in the same catagory as the rest of Obomas' lackies.

[Roger D.]

Who is Jesse Jackson? A Reverend without a church? The head of an organization that does what? He's a Martin Luther King Jr hang on that should have kept quiet years ago.

His views and comments mean nothing. He is a non-entity trying to retain the glory days of yesteryear.

Sit down, Jesse, and let Mr. Obama move forward with the hopes of a nation to do better.

[John]

Jesse Jackson is a personal problem for America. He spent his entire life racing from one racial issue to another and he loves to dive before the news cameras.

He offers nothing. He is a hustler and media hound, but nothing more.

John

[Yaakov Sullivan]

As a wife of a Black Arab I am very sad to read this. Ad Americans we shouldn't speak in terms of race.

[jojo star]

if bill clinton said that he would be a racists

[Brandon Forde]

I find it interesting that I had to go to the Guardian (UK Newpaper) to find out what was actually said. So much for reporting the facts. Instead this is simply another example of the US media self-censoring in itself to protect itself and not truly cover what happened. Distorts the true story.

[Leo Mather]

I'm a self educated , self-employed contractor. i have been involved in and followed politics since I was 12 yrs. old.
Barrack seems like a nice man. But who is he? He joined a black church to divine or should I say define his blackness.
Now that the election campaign is in swing it seems he is lost. Where are the far left views.

I believe I'm middle America. I want a president that can hold his ground know matter what. Obama is like all the rest of these wishy washy politicians. He will do anything to get elected. Too bad. Both candidates are poor. Our election process is lacking to say the least.
I know some of what McCain has in him character wise.

[Peter Barkley]

I'm part Canadian and could only think how necessary it is today to watch what you choose to say in a public space. Anything can and will be picked up and then transmitted out of context or not. I was also fascinated by how fast Mr. Jackson moved to apologize and how equally fast his own son reprimanded him. I also would note that Mr. Jackson needs to take note that speaking to the benefit of one group in a country as diverse as the US cannot either win an election or reach diverse citizens of many stripes, hopes and needs. One also notes Mr. Jackson spoke in one tone and lost in his run 2 decades ago.

I for one admire your Mr. Obama as much as any individual I've seen and heard in decades. You and we will be very fortunate indeed if he's elected.

[GC]

CNN is such a joke. At 5:15 PM or so Wolf Blitzer said controversial comments had been made, but that they were so offensive that they couldn't even be repeated on television. He then had a conversation with Donna Brazzille, who used to run Jackson's Presidential campaign, and the conversation ended with them saying that Obama should forgive him.

I expected Jackson to have called Obama the n-word and the c-word in the same sentence or something. Thanks CNN for doing your best to make me think you're biased.

[Susan]

Al Sharpton wants to give Jesse a pass ONLY because the comments were said with the intent to only let the black man sitting next to him hear. So if you say crude things about a person you supposedly admire and support that is o.k. It is not o.k. to say these things publicly. My problem is that in order to say "I want to cut his b...off" I would expect there is a deep hostility from the Jackson camp for Obama. Now whether it is personal, or whether there is this growing resentment in the black community because they feel that Barack and Michelle talk down to them, I really don't know. I personally think that Obama does preach as if he knows all. However what in the world would prompt any Rev. to use that sort of language about a friend is a mystery to me. It seems that Barack has a penchant for picking friends/ supporters that use bad language, racial slurs, and just hateful phrases when describing their feelings. Why would anybody feel compelled to want to cut off another man's b.... I am left speechless.

[Character Counts]

Someone wrote: "if bill clinton said that he would be a racist."

Isn't that how some people will interpret Jesse Jackson's gaffe?

[hostageforhire]

Jackson's comment is a real indication that Jesse Jackson & the Black Coalition control the Obama campaign. Jackson's juice in Chicago built a political career for both his son and Obama. Jackson tipped his hand. His comments weren't throwaway ramblings. White America just got a look into the black community's "inside baseball." Jackson is the black adviser that makes Obama “black enough.” Mobster, Sam Giancana had similar pull over the J.F.K. administration, and was noted as making similar unfavorable comments regarding J.F.K. Giancana had a direct line to the White House as will Jackson & Sharpton.

Jackson's son, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), national co-chair of Obama's presidential campaign, immediately rejected what he termed his father's "ugly rhetoric. - Jackson owns his son & Obama. Jackson has the power to cut off four political nuts. Obama is a patsy for the black agenda. It would not be in a white's person best interest to vote black. Likewise blacks will not vote McCain. It shouldn't surprise you that China votes for the Chinese. Russia votes for Russians. Quite frankly, I'm a little offended that Mexico hasn't had a black President. RACIST!!!

[Character Counts]

Poor Jesse, he just hasn’t figured out that he has become irrelevant.

[Keith]

I'm sorry....Jesse Jackson is calling out Mr. Obama? This is the SAME Jesse Jackson that has commited adultry, had at least ONE child out of wedlock, used Rainbow and Push funds as "Hush" money for the mother of his child...Funds that were supposed to go towards helping African American causes yet he saw fit to use it as bribe money....Guess this is the best example yet of the pot calling the kettle black....Seems to me Mr. Jackson is a tad bitter that he couldn't even beat Mr. Dukakis for the nod a few years back....

[Jason K Himelstein]

Jesse Jackson is a hypocritical low life.
He is more racist than George Wallace.
Jesse Jackson a Reverand? This is laughable.
As Bill Clinton's "spiritual advisor" he fathers a child out of wedlock.
Jackson is a well known womanizer, who extorts money from large companies by usung the race card.
He is a self-promoting charlatan, and the press knows it, but the press is afraid to be labled as "racist", so they give him a pass.
Jackson is a has been, a total disgrace to his race...the HUMAN race.

[David]

Here is the ultimate irony: Back in 1970, when Rev. Jackson was Reverend Jesse, he was preaching the creed of personal responsibility. I supported him back then for the same reasons I support Obama today.

Unfortunately, Rev. Jackson discovered there was a lot of money to be made playing racial politics. He became a wealthy man, but he lost his soul. Are you listening, Reverend Jesse?

[Vic]

Again Jesse Jackson has shown that he is just another big mouth with a foot in that mouth. Not the first time. Who cares what Jesse has to say. He leads no one..he speaks for no one ..except Jesse Jackson. Give it up Jesse you are past history.

[Ted Fischer]

We should demand that Jesse Jackson be fired from....... whatever he does, Just as they fired Don Imas.

[Robert]

This proves unfortunately that as a race we have a long way to go,and as a country, we have a longer way..all i can say is God help us...

[pedeen]

Why should anybody bother with Jesse Jackson? he is just an old man who cant think beyond slavery! Hey Jesse black people are free! and we dont need you you can go to hell!

[sethook]

Did I miss the part in this story that covered the response from Rev Al on this hateful conversation put forth by Jesse? Maybe Jesse needs to appear on the Imus show and explain his words.

[Hello Uncle Tom !]

One may not agree always with the rev. Jessee Jackson
But rev. Jackson has always called a spade a spade and
when his remarks amount to calling Obama UNCLE TOM
then we must respect that as a judgement based on a
thorough analysis . Obama much more visciously than
sen. Clinton, will step on anyone to achieve power... to
such an extent that it is becoming more obvious each
passing day.....how little loyalty and honor mean to this
undesirable specimen of Chicago politics in its most
detestable manifestation.

[wanda]

jesse jackson knew exactly what he was doing. He knew his words would be picked up by the media. I remember him from the 60's when he came to springfield ill with the blackstone rangers. His goal is to keep his face in the news. Gramps give all a break. You have nothing to say now, just like you had nothing to say then.

[Tom Colton]

Jesse Jackson just told the world how he REALLY
feels about Barack Obama when he said over that
open mic: "I'd like to cut his n*ts off." That's what he
actually said. It's called a freudian slip-it's how he REALLY feels about the other guy. You can spin it all you want to, but those of us who majored in psych
know the truth of what I just asserted. Those of us
who also majored in philosophy know that it would
be irrational to accept Jesse's apology as anything
more than vain "face saving" and that it would be
profoundly illogical to think for even a heartbeat,
that Jackson has any respect for Obama or even
wants him to become president. It's just like when
Friday before last Bill Clinton told friends in front of
a reporter that "Barack Obama can kiss my *ass if
he thinks I'm going to support him". But you guys
in the press buried that remark and on Sunday and
Monday of that weekend when Hillary and Barack
pretended to be friends that's all you reported. That
omission wasn't neurotic or irrational; it was
deceitful on the part of the American Media. It's
called: To lie by omission.

[A Ford]

--- Barack Obama is only one man who happens to be running for President. He is standing in the middle of a storm of controversy that swirls around him. Can you imagine yourself in this position? I think the more controversy, the more change we need as a nation.
---Jesse Jackson is a monumental civil rights leader and advocate who never wavered from his call to effect change for all, and especially for black Americans. His comments reflect how many feel? I think yes. Now, his son Jesse defends and speaks out for a new direction: denounces the “old way”. This is good. Our children should shed the bitterness of that which is unresolved from the past. –A demarcation. The young Jesse Jackson is effecting change in a modern era. And that’s not easy to do.
----The Reverend Wright I happened to see on Bill Moyer's (Bill Moyer’s Journal PBS) was a compassionate and directed person with his finger on the pulse of any city in this country, and correctly, the shambles of our current nation. Why are we focusing on his presentation? Does that negate the message? In his subsequent interview with the press, I felt he was goading them at their own game. Perhaps not the best timing, but who cares, he expressed it. ---And some of us “got it”.
---We need the truth---now more than ever. Truth: set free from judgment. I want to hear more about how people really think and feel in my country. ---No more CNN Political Gossip Nation, and the 600 cable, and network channels that follow suit because it is all about the $$$ ratings. We are a force fed news gossip nation.
---In conclusion, I am a 50 something white American gal living in a really mixed neighborhood in the diverse state of New Jersey. I have great neighbors. It is a peaceful existence. I wish it for every American B&W, L&A&NA. Did I miss anyone? How can we come together and realize true equality for all? I am not sure, but I do know it begins with realizing that Jesse Jackson Sr. gave us the gift of a certain truth. He speaks his mind. And, like his power house speeches and opinions from the past, I hope we can remember and help him realize his dream--- like his friend Martin Luther King, for a better life for all Americans.

[RABO]

Is this any surprise really? Jesse has made a VERY comfortable living exploiting every racial divide the could pry his hand into and gained considerable notoriety while he was at it.

Think: If we achieved racial harmony Jesse would be out of a job. I believe the last item on his "to do" list is to heal the divide.

What makes anyone think he has a reason to change now? When Obama is elected Jesse will consider him a hero. After Obama has had to deal with the reality of Washington and makes reasonable compromises to move his agenda forward, Jesse will consider him an Uncle Tom. A sellout. A traitor. Jesse wouldn't want a colorblind society, it would hurt his franchise.

[Mindy Cakolovitch]

Enough with the reverends already....Wright,Sharpton
Farrakhan or Jackson....If Obama cant take his distance
from the extremists before the election he is doomed.
This trouble world is replete with crack-pot ayathollas and reverends. Obama must find himself a good down to
earth rabbi or else John McCain will be our man.

[TJ]

Everyone, especially CNN, is in such a stitch over the remark Jesse Jackson made, one would think he had called him a "bastard" or compared him to a crazed, obsessed scorned fictional character in a movie, or otherwise slandered him with personal slurs and other misogynist characterizations.....Listen, this is nothing, absolutely nothing in and of itself. The significance of it is the extent of outrage and condemnation that the remark has incited because someone said something critical. This does not bode well. Not only do we not know what we might be getting in an Obama Administration, we know that it cannot and will not be critiqued or objectively analysed if one values their reputation.
How quickly some are to devalue Jesse Jackson; he is not of this genre but he has, in his time, done a lot for civil rights and to promote the cause of African Americans. He, too, now is considered no longer "useful" so we just throw him away. He said nothing that was described as "crude and unfit to repeat on TV." This, the same CNN who allowed a political analyst to call Sen Clinton a "bitch".
It has passed my anger point and my outrage. It is now in the realm of the absurd and the ridiculous because Sen Clinton is alive and well and more powerful than ever and CNN and others are looking like impotent fools with no credibility.

[Bosco]

Wow! Where does one begin? Jesse Jackson is reverend only in title. Media hound for sure. Without overlooking all the good he has done for the Black Community, he strikes me as being very jealous! First off, he ran for and lost his party's nomination for the presidency. He would have been the first black president. Jealous. Secondly, Jesse's own son is vice chair of Obama's Presidential Campaign. Wouldn't Jesse like to have his son look up to him the way he looks up to Obama! Jealous. Obama makes a plea to all deadhead fathers but especially to those of his own race to be accountable, accept responsibility for their fatherhood and be involved in their childrens lives. A courageous public plea coming from a Black man. Jesse has had at least one illegitimate child that we know of that was in the press. Only AFTER it became public did he offer to monetarily support his child outside of marriage. Jealous. Jesse is not in the "limelight" in Obama's campaign (I wonder why). Jealous. Just as with misbehaving children, I guess negative attention is better than no attention at all. Jesse claims to be a "friend" of the Obama family. With friends like that, who needs enemies. Of course, Barack will do the right thing and accept Jesse's several "public" apologies. But how close would you feel to a person who makes such statements behind your back and is "two-faced?" IMHO, tis time for Jesse to rest on his laurels and eat humble pie for breakfast every day from here on out.

[NinaK]

What is wrong with some black reverends? Wright and Jackson (Sr) obviously think they can say and do anything because they are "reverends"? With "friends" like these two hypocrites, who needs enemies?? I have listened to most of Senator Obama's speeches, I have never felt he talks down to anyone; he urges us to lift ourselves up, and to help lift our country up. His speeches are all inclusive of our melting pot. Jessie Jackson aplogized to Senator Obama ONLY because he discovered the mike was open; otherwise he would not have apologized! I applaud Jessie Jackson, Jr. for condemning his father's words. Jessie Jackson Sr seems to get his nose into everything? Does he have a real job aside from running around looking for or creating trouble? Remember how he was so quick to jump into the fray on the now proven shameful and false case against the Duke players?? Jessie Jackson may have been a follower of Dr. King; however, he sure as heck does not live up to Dr. King's dream. Dr King wanted to bring people togeher; Jessie Jackson Sr wants to divide people, even within his own race. His first comment is untrue, and his second is downright disgusting!! Jessie Jackson, is this how you normally conduct yourself when you think noone is watching and or listening?

[Paul Stewart]

Jesse Jackson is just jealous of Obama's success, where he did not have it. He is also thinking this is just a kid and where does he get off telling blacks (including him) what to do about father hood and the like. He forgets that Obama has not only lived what he is talking about, he overcame it against the odds to get to where he is today. Obama has every right to speak out and every right to say what he is saying. Jesse Jackson, like any other person is only human. I am sure that there are a lot of thoughts he has had that are even less mentionable on national tv etc about the likes of Bush and Cheney and others. He grew up in the same times and with the same issues as did Wright. Obama will understand. This helps Obama actually, in that it reinforces that he is speaking his mind and not bowing to anyone of any race. I believe Obama is following his inner compass, much as Reagan did. He will show much strength in his leadership of America, once all the ill informed shouting fails to stop the majority of right thinking Americans from electing him.

[Peter Truong]

The generalization comment from Obama to all the black fathers had caused black majority, especially father, feel down, and that is what Jesse Jackson feels as well. All we know the comment that Mr. Obama made is come from his experience. However, Mr. Obama should not generalize to the whole black father community.

[JM]

C'mon now...get on the wagon. Barry is going down fer sure. Not because of the blind mice who do/don't support him, but by his own hand. I'm so thankful of the time frame between the primaries and D-Day. It gives folks an opportunity to see these political jackasses for what they really are. If a person opens their mouth enough times sooner or later they'll have a foot in there as well. This term's nominees SUCK...all of them! So we must choose the least of the evils. Make the right choice today people...or live with your decisions tomorrow!!! In the meantime how about Googling Obama and his half-wits. Get some insight. See the man for what/who he really is. Particularly his birth certificate scandal. Aahhh...politics...gotta love it!

[toledo]

Jesse Jackson will more than likely do like me and vote for our American Hero John McCain.

[gdub]

envy does strange things to people...

[John]

What is the worst thing in the world that can happen to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and other 'reverands" with similar movements? The most devestating thing that can happen to them, that can kill their movements and take away their livlihood ---- is "President" Obama. No longer can they say the black community is being held down. They are out of excuses for why African Americans cannot succeed. Indeed, President Obama proves that with hard work in school and in their careers they can achieve success. For Jesse Jackson, that is a big "ouch."

[VJ Machiavelli]

I guess "Bills monsters of the ID" have taken over Jessie mouth.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Schratboy]

Jesse is peeved that he's been displaced by the media. Now they go to Barry Obama the media phenomena for all commentary on the plight of black Americans.

[Radpro]

The fact Jackson is not happy with Obama because he is allegedly not promoting the black agenda (as Jesse sees it) is a positvie for the Obama campaign. It confirms that Obama will not be the tool of any race or group. What our country needs are policies that lift up all Americans rather than any specific race or element of society. We have had eight years of preference for the wealthy and large corporations. All incentives with no regulation, no bid contracts, tax breaks etc. etc. Look where that has taken us.

[W.G.M. Cantao]

Here's a prelude of what's to come if Barack is elected.:
His wife is not patriotic(~!). His pastor is a racist and not a . patriot (!). A guy (Jesse) who calls himself a "reverend" (God forbid)
is full of hatred for whites and jews, even to the point of not accepting the dismal decay of black families in America. And
the Farakhan's, the Al Sharpton's,etc.etc.. Black America deserves better than this "circus africanus". Those guys got to start calling themselves AMERICANS first. I"m American
first, then Italian. That's how we become united!

[Richard Rawson]

Rev. Jackson--Shut up! You are no longer a force in politics, you had your chance with the American electorate and failed. You are a loose cannon. You are a disgrace to the Afro-American race. So zip your mouth and your pants.

[Lynn]

Jesse actually got my vote once. I am a liberal democrat who will never give it to Barack Obama. I was glad that finally someone in the African-American community spoke up about Obama and using their churches to spout criticism and hate to them. Bob Herbert of the New York Times said something the night before warning Obama that the Black vote wasn't a given for him and he should be on guard. I hope they follow through and leave this guy. Jackson was actually a friend of Martin Luther King Jr. and part of the Civil Rights Movement. Obama apparently was told by too many adults as a youngster that he was "special" and believed it. He also believes he doesn't have to do anything "special" to earn the label.

[Dr. Jesse Kally-Williams]

Some of these old warriors of the Civil Right Movement ironically find it hard to swallow the message of unity and hope of Obama. Some of them would have him blacker, indeed all black or just a copy of their own alter ego. Obama is not all that, and that is hard for them. Obama embodies what the world is longing for in the new millennium. Some of the old African-American warriors find it even harder to see how Obama transcends NOT RACE but the binary thinking of nineteenth century racism. Those of them who, unlike John Lewis, endorsed Hilary Clinton cannot understand how to build “a more perfect Union”. The binary thinking of “black-white” propelled them to national prominence. Dr. Luther King would be with Obama all the way. That is the difference between these people and Dr. Luther King. A politics or a politician who embodies the aspiration of just one ethnic group can never win the presidency in America. Dr. King would appreciate that in a way Rev. Jackson and his likes refuse to discern and accept. Rev. Jackson must ask himself why he failed two times miserably to win the Democratic nomination. He should listen to his son and learn from John Lewis for some lessons in “realism” – or keep his big mouth shut. This time he has to overcome his addiction to seeing himself in front and in the media. Sadly, proclivity for drawing attention to himself makes it hard for him to concede that space to his own son, Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. The Rev. Jackson would rather see himself as the national co-chairman of Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign. Did the Reverend know his father? No! How many African-American fathers have simply run away from their children and wives? How many African-Women have to raise their children as single parents? Indeed, many, many African-American fathers have failed “to recognize that responsibility doesn’t just end at conception.” Obama knows how hard it is to grow up without a father, and Obama is downright honest. Jesse Jackson’s therapy and recommendations have not emptied the American prisons of black males. Obama speaks “down to black people”? No sir, Mr Jackson! Obama has often reiterated the terrible legacies of racism and Jim Crow schools and continued structural injustices inherent in the American system. However, wisdom leads him to also discern how many, many African-American fathers have terribly failed by running away from their parental responsibilities. “Blacks” must not forget how Jews for more than 2000 years have suffered and yet have triumphed over the negative forces. Their guiding principle has been thus: sticking together and the importance of the family, especially the role of the father and hope. This is the message of Obama.

[Jack]

I guess Jesse needs to appear and apologize on more talk shows. He needs to get counseling. He needs to seek the support and forgiveness of Al Sharpton. Gee Jesse , it sure is tough when the shoe's on the other foot and that foot is in your mouth.

[Jack]

I guess Jesse needs to appear and apologize on more talk shows. He needs to get counseling. He needs to seek the support and forgiveness of Al Sharpton. Gee Jesse , it sure is tough when the shoe's on the other foot and that foot is in your mouth.

[Lee]

ALOHA LITTLE KAHONIES
We should all chip in to buy Jesse a small pair of clippers ... after which, he'd have a couple of little items to raffle off in the next Obama fund raiser. We need a President with BIG KAHONIES ... elect Senator John McCain President in November.

[marc]

Jesse is a media whore... he knows that creating strife keeps him in the headlines.

If he were not black and if liberals were not so pathalogical regarding the subject of blacks he would probably have been discredited long ago.

Most people understand that he is no martin luther king... he is merely an opportunist who hasn't been able to diguise the kind of man he really is with christianity.

People are begining to wake up to some of the appalling dimensions of black/white politics of the last 25 years ... a politics based on hate fear revenge and ressentment... and definately want a change... the media needs to get its house in order and stop giving aid and comfort to the sharptons and jacksons of the world. We can promote the ressentful and half mad philosophies of a Farakhan and a Wright... or the media can support creative individuals who are not seething with revenge ressentment and hate and marginalize the others.

The media has a tremendous responsibilty... but it also knows that all these little controversies sell newpapers.

[Bob Kholos]

Jesse Jackson is old, last century news.
He should retire and can act tough in the mirror.
The MLK people wouldn't even let him use their copyrighted material when he ran for President in the 80's.
Just because the media built him up...doesn't necessarily mean he represents this generation of Democrats.
Jackson comes from the politics of blame, while Barack Obama is leading the way for the politics of hope.
Sit down Jesse.

[Jerry]

True colors! that is what this is all about. Obama is a pupet on strings controled by the black leaders. What a shame! I really liked Obama, and I was sold on is actions. But since Rev. Jacksons remarks I have now changed how I feel about the election. Jackson was mad because thier puppet messed up and did not say what they wanted him to say. That is why Rev. Jackson want to cut his n--ts off. I am not sure about you but most Christans don't go around cutting n--ts off of people for making a mistake. I believe we are to forgive them. Mr. Jackson you are not a christan and you are far from a good person. And If anyone votes for Obama they need to know that they really are voting for who he represents. In this case Mr. Jackson.

[lee boston]

Jesse Jackson is always trying to stir up trouble. He talks about inequality and by his actions he keeps racism alive and well. Does he have a job? He wants to blame the white man for everything. I am white and work with several people who are black and are fine people, but unlike him I do not look at color of skin. People are all human with a heart, soul, mind, and feelings.