What did he just say?

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Rev. Jesse Jackson got caught with a hot mic and his foot in his mouth.


CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson apologized Wednesday for "crude and hurtful" remarks he made about Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama after an interview with a Fox News correspondent.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson apologized to Sen. Obama's campaign Wednesday over "hurtful" remarks.

The remarks came Sunday as Jackson was talking to a fellow interviewee, UnitedHealth Group executive Dr. Reed V. Tuckson. An open microphone picked up Jackson whispering, "See, Barack's been talking down to black people ... I want to cut his nuts off."

Jackson told CNN's "Situation Room" that he didn't realize the microphone was on.

"It was very private," Jackson said, adding that if "any hurt or harm has been caused to his campaign, I apologize."

An Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton, said that the senator from Illinois "of course accepts Rev. Jackson's apology."


http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/09/jesse.jackson.comment/index.html?eref=rss_politics&iref=polticker

[db44]

I'm curious to hear Imus' response...

[tiger_rascal]

Why do people apologize after saying things they know they honestly feel?

I mean, lets say Jackson does not like or support Obama. What he said is not a big deal, maybe a bit harsh, maybe he could have found a better choice of words.

I think he was only sorry it was heard. Thats the only reason why he is apologizing, to save himself.

[db44]

In Jackson's case, this is pretty big. He's made a career of trying to be the voice of Black people in this country. Now, in the shadows of what could be one of the greatest three moments for that community in this country (after the abolishment and the Civil Rights movement I would say), he comes out and conceivably not only drives a wedge through that community, but gives his opponents all that more fodder?

Jackson has shown himself now to be self-serving and bitter in my mind. Obama makes such a better candidate that Jackson did, maybe partially because he can reach White people better than Jackson ever could. So what does he do? Spews that bitterness everywhere.

[db44]

Furthermore, I hardly take his apology to heart: He's talking to FOX, does he really expect there to be any off the record moments?

[lions1mew]

I just wanna know what the hell he was thinking talking to Faux News in the first place. Even if he hadn't said what he did (which was plain STUPID), they would have twisted his words around anyway.

Dumbarse ...

[LesterX]

Why do people apologize after saying things they know they honestly feel?

I mean, lets say Jackson does not like or support Obama. What he said is not a big deal, maybe a bit harsh, maybe he could have found a better choice of words.

I think he was only sorry it was heard. Thats the only reason why he is apologizing, to save himself.

Well, considering that Jesse Jackson is an Obama supporter and his son is the co-chair of Obama's campaign, I think he pretty much had no choice but to apologize.

[pinky]

And to think I actually supported his candidacy once. :(

[db44]

I would have too, if I was old enough. :p

Actually, I was visiting DC during his campaign with my mom and a friend and his mom, and we were walking down the street when we saw a press gaggle. Turns out Jackson was staying at the hotel and we decided to have breakfast there ($14 bowl of yoghurt). Jackson was in the same room, and as he was leaving, he shook our hand.

The kicker of it all was my mom's friend was waving to him to take a picture, and he returned by giving the thumbs-up. That picture of him was on the cover of the (NY) Post the next day... Not her picture, but a closeup of him as he gave her the thumbs up.

[SparkleHugs]

I think he expects/wants Obama to only care about African American issues instead of American issues in the same ways that he does. Jesse Jackson has no care or concern for anyone else outside of the "community". He has no credibility and isn't even respected by any of the black people I know. he spews hate. Obama does not. I think that is where his contention lies.

[pinky]

I think it's beyond that, Sparks. Jackson seems to have become one of those "advocates" for the black community that can't tolerate any criticism of that community whatsoever. Obama, like Bill Cosby, has challenged blacks to take responsibility for themselves.

And that doesn't sit well with Jackson, who apparently perceives any criticism as condemnation.