Barack Obama's win: News to make Jesse Jackson weep

It was just a fleeting image, one we saw on the Fox News Channel, from the mass gathering in Chicago awaiting the victory speech from President-elect Barack Obama.

But it was a telling one -- the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a face in the crowd (though a highly recognizable one), with tears streaming down his face in the minutes after the pronouncements from the networks that Obama had won the White House.

Tears of joy? Tears of wonderment? Probably a combination of both.

Before this cycle's campaign, Jackson ranked as the nation's one credible African-American presidential candidate. When he sought the Democratic nod in 1984, he won five primaries and caucuses.

He more than doubled that showing in 1988, winning 11 nomination contests. In what began as a crowded field, he was the last man standing against the eventual nominee, Michael Dukakis.

Now, his candidacy will be viewed as a prelude to Obama's stunning achievement. As for his actual role in the historic campaign, it will be remembered as a negative one.

Amid ongoing speculation that he harbored jealousy toward his fellow Chicagoan, he created a small flap this past summer when, while waiting to be interviewed on television interview, he uttered crude and uncomplimentary remarks about Obama that were picked up by a live microphone.

Coincidentally, that moment occurred on Fox News. It caused even his own son -- a House member from Illinois prominently mentioned as a possible sucessor to Obama in the Senate -- to scold his father.

In temperament and style, the elder Jackson and Obama are stark contrasts. And as Obama settles into his new office, we wouldn't be surprised if the discontent Jackson gave vent to months ago again are heard from him (in a more refined fashion).

Tonight, though, for many Americans -- black and white -- Jackson's brief and unscripted moment on camera said it all.

-- Don Frederick

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Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[Ted Robles]

I have to confess my first thought was, is he crying because he said he wanted to cut his (manhood) off? Jaded, and most likely not wanted in an Obama whitehouse as a cabinet member as an advisor for really, anything. OR...Perhaps I'm just cynical and his tears were sincere catharsis for decades of African American struggle. Probably a little of both. Sincere thanks to Mr. Obama for saving the country from a possible Palin Presidency....whew! Best of luck Mr. President.

[Balendu Sharma Dadhich]

An incredible moment for America and for the rest of the world! Bravo America! You have arrived as a true democracy by electing an African-American as the new President! Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King’s struggles have finally been vindicated.

[Ali]

I cried when I saw Jackson crying because I know this has got to be a day he couldn't fathom. In spite of his lapse in judgment of the "open mic" incident, this man marched and lived thru the assassination of Martin L King. This was truly something he couldn't have imagined living to see. Bless his heart for what he has done over the years in defense of discrimination.

[Grace12_34]

I believe those were tears of RAGE and JEALOUSY. Jessee Jackson felt that it should have been HIM up there.

[AHMED A. ELHAWARY]

Let us not forget that the run for the white house by Jesse Jackson made this all possible. He was there with Rev. M. L. King Jr. as a young man, perhabs with the same fervor as Obama today. He led the civil rights movement for many years thereafter, along with other great African- American leaders. He took the first steps that led to the great successful run. I supported his campaign, volunteered, contributed, and eventually voted for a nominee facing unbelievable odds. He finished third overall, but he will always by the first on my list. My daughter, 20 years old UCLA student, Sade Zeinab Elhawary, volunteered for Obama's campaign, made the calls, and knocked on the doors. She did it with the same passion that I had back in 1984, but the numbers were a study in contrasts. Obama galvanized the millions that no one else could, but Jesse Jackson made it all possible. I cried when he lost in 1984, and cried again in 2008 when Obama won. But I could not stop crying when I saw his face in the crowd crying. Let us not forget the pioneer Jesse Jackson.

[LAK]

I was so touched when I saw Jackson crying - I cried. Imagine the unimaginable. Imagine the promised land...
His unfortunate "open mic" comments were generational. The media has maligned Jackson who when I was young gave me so much hope. Imagine - we can have hope again.

Grace - Shame on you.

[Carlton]

Like most human beings, Jesse Jackson sheds tears that flow from a COMPLEX set of feelings. Jackson is an American hero, someone who paved the way for Barack's moment, a moment that belongs to African-Americans and ALL Americans--indeed to the whole international community. Jesse has made mistakes and misteps, to be certain, but in the balance he remains a giant, a humanitarian, an extraordinary advocate for racial justice and freedom for all. My guess is that Jesse's tears reflect: vindication of Jesse's life's work, tremendous racial and cultural pride, renewed faith in America, and expanded love of country.

[Kevin]

The politics of fear replaced by hope for politics. Congrats America!

Your friends in Canada

[derby]

I WATCHED THE CELEBRATION LAST NIGHT JACKSON IS IN THE CROWD LAUGHING AND CLAPPING THEN 10 SECONDS LATER HE SEES THE CAMERAS AND THE"ACT" IS ON . THE MEDIA HAD A FIT SHOWING HIS "EMOTIONS" IT WAS AN ACT,PEOPLE. THAT WHAT LIBS DO BEST THEY ACT

[Linda B.]

His crying face finally released my own tears. He has been there every step of the way... How moving.

[cgw]

Jesse Jackson is opportunistic! Anything that will help him remain in the public eye is what he will do. Those were not tears of joy for President-elect Obama; they were tears of opportunity; opportunity to be seen on national television as a part of this unprecedented history. (he probably was hoping maybe it would get him an interview or two) He probably noticed the cameras being placed on people who were crying and realized that if he shed a tear or two that he would get some recognition. Jesse needs to get his own platform without the help of others fortune or misfortune. The comments he made about President-e elect Obama during the campaign season were unforgivable. If it's not about Jesse, he doesn't want it to be about anybody. I have followed his career since Dr. King and I have not changed my opinion of him not once. If opportunity knocks Jesse will open the door and let himself in. Go home Jesse and stay!

I'm truly not a fan of Jesse's

[Damilola Adetunji, Nigeria]

Jesse Jackson probably shed tears of joy.this is a day that has moved most blacks, it was a moment of AT LAST. What Martin Luther King had died for has come into fulfilment.
am black nd proud!!!!!

[Rollo]

There was a time in the 70's when I was a Jackson believer, then time uncovered his self serving agenda and opportunistic corruption. He was clever and charismatic. He is one hell of an actor and will do anything he can to get back on the bus after falling off with his unflattering comments about Barrack.

As for Barrack! Time will tell, there is to much that has been kept from the country about Barrack, his background and beliefs. He has great charisma, style and intelligence. These are common characteristics of great men and con artists. Time will tell. I hope for the best!

[J. Morgan]

re: acting...come now...let's not be party poopers. Why doesn't somebody ask J.J. what he was feeling? "Libs don't have feelings" makes human beings sound like they are not human at all. Obviously J.J. was trying not to lose it as (evidenced by his finger covering his mouth). I can empathize with him. I was doing the same last night. I can tell you I was not acting. Even though I didn't want to show my tears... It was very difficult to not hold them back. I was in a public place and had to leave because I was embarrased that people would see me crying. Anybody who doesn't understand the significance of this historic event for black people, white people and for the world was obviously skipping history class. Dehumanizing people especially in such an obvious state of deep human emotion makes me wonder if he also missed the lesson on nazism too. While I celebrate this significant event I am moved just as much if not more by who Obama is as a person. He is articulate, who is intelligent and who seems to care about the nation and world as a whole. We are all interconnected. We all affect eachother. Listen up...unless we learn to understand eachother we will fail as a nation. United We Stand....Divided We Fall.

[Fernando Diaz]

Finally so many decades of struggle for civil rights and non-discrimination vindicated. I also cried to see that Martin Luther King's dream has finally become true. A dream nobody expected to see. Guantanamo made us doubt about America, but today America has shown again that it is still the more democratic country on Earth. Congratulations fom Europe.

[John]

people that ascribe falseness and malice to his tears need to get a life. Jackson witnessed MLK die violently before his eyes. Obama's election is in many ways the culmination of the dream that has defined his and his family's life. Jackson has kept a low profile since the mic gaffe, but in the interviews he has done, the reader is left with no doubt about his feelings.

[UC]

We have to remember that for better or for worse, Jesse Jackson is a man, however imperfect, who has championed the cause for African-Americans. He WATCHED Martin Luther King Jr. DIE before his very eyes, so for him to FINALLY see a black man in America win the Presidency, when he probably never thought it would happen in his lifetime is definitely something to get emotional about--those were tears of joy and amazement streaming from his eyes...it was touching to see a part of the 'Dream' that was talked about so long ago finally be realized by a man who held it on his shoulders after the 'Dreamer' died...today is truly a great day.

[F*ck Jesse Jackson]

Jesse is so fake. His presidential campaign was a joke. He has never been down for any cause but himself. He is an embarrassment. A foul mouthed, greedy, womanizing caricature. I'm surprised he didn't whip out the bloody T-shirt. What kind of black man wants to cut off another brother's nuts? He's probably crying because he just found out Friend of the Court just upped his child support. Fake azz Reverand.

[Dave]

I will not debate the merit or effects of Jackson's impact on civil rights. I do want to say that way before election night it struck me as telling that he nor Sharpton had any role in Obama's campaign. In my opinion that says it all. If the Obama people felt as though either one of them could give creedence to their cause, surely they would have embraced them at somepoint during the campaign.

[Richard steckler]

Why was Jesse Jackson crying? A cynic might respond that he realized he was now just a face in the crowd rather than being on the stage. He was reduced to positioning himself for the Fox camera. You surely don't think his exact location in the crowd was happenstance? The decline of influence of "community leaders" like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and other self-declared community leaders might cause a thoughtful young African-American teenager to realize that her personal progress depends on the content of her character and her willingness to study and stretch as far as her abilities will allow.

[PGelsman]

I voted for Obama, but I sure would hate to see him appoint 'The' Rev. Jesse Jackson to any position in government. The same goes for 'The' Rev'. Al Sharpton. Two of the biggest racists in the US today.

[Jomo Chiteji]

To even question Mr. Jackson's tears reflects a level of cynicism that borders on the pathological. The peals of pathos that surely now reverberate in such a man must be unfathomable, the tears, beyond true.

[KG]

it is quite disturbing to hear that these were tears of jealousy ... when this man (JESSE) has done more for blacks than Barrack ever has.... or will....
to sum it up .... Jesse paved the way for barrack ...

[joey]

This guy will do anything to get a TV camera in his face.

[Jackson the Role Model]

Where was his love child? Hope he brought him to the event.