Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama shrugged off a crude comment aimed at him by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, accepting an apology for a remark Jackson made as he contended that Obama wasn't speaking to issues important to the black community.
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(Photo: AP Images / Russel A. Daniels)Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks during a news conference in Chicago, Wednesday, July 9, 2008. Jackson apologized Wednesday for comments he made about Barack Obama's speeches in black churches during what he thought was a private conversation with a reporter.
Unaware that his microphone was on during a break for a Fox News program last Sunday, Jackson sharply criticized Obama for how he has been referring to black people. His remarks included a vulgar reference. When he learned Wednesday that the Fox News program "The O'Reilly Factor" would air his comments that night, Jackson apologized for "hurtful and wrong" remarks.
The Obama campaign took a measured response to the incident, contending in a statement that Obama has spoken for many years about parental responsibility as well as "jobs, justice and opportunity for all."
"He will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other, and he of course accepts Rev. Jackson's apology," Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.
During a break from taping "Fox & Friends" on Sunday, a fellow guest asked Jackson about speeches on morality Obama has given at black churches. Jackson said at a news conference Wednesday that he responded that Obama's speeches can come off as speaking down to black people and that there were other important issues to be addressed, such as unemployment, the mortgage crisis and the number of blacks in prison.
"It was not a public speech or a declaration," Jackson said, adding that the comments "will not be helpful."
"For any harm or hurt that this hot mic private conversation may have caused, I apologize," he said in a written apology released Wednesday. "My support for Sen. Obama's campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal."
Jackson said he called Obama's campaign to apologize.
Though Jackson supports Obama, the two are not close.
In September, The State newspaper in South Carolina reported that Jackson had said Obama was "acting like he's white" in his response to the arrest of six black juveniles in Jena, La. Jackson disputed the quote.
Jackson's comments sparked something of a family feud. His son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., said he was disappointed by his father's "reckless statements."
"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," the younger Jackson said.
Associated Press writer Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report.
Comments
to error is human, to forgive is divine.
Jesse Jackson reminds me of an old barbeque shack operator around here. He used to say, "Whether people are talking good about you or bad about you, it's all advertising." I believe the Rev. Jackson is glad to be back in the news.
mart, I agree with your premise but only God can orchestrate that in the hearts of His Church first and then throughout our land. For that to happen it will be one of many sins dealt with as God's people repent of the sins of this nation and return to Him and He in turn brings His Revival and His Spiritual Awakening to His Church and our nation.
Issues important to the black Christian community and all Christians alike include the deity of Christ,salvation in Jesus alone, the Second Coming of Christ, anti-abortion and gay rights, and having biblical convictions necessary for American to protect the nation of Israel as God wills. Obama does not hold the traditional Christian view on any of these issues. How can he pretend to be a true Christian?
itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
I feel sorry for J. Jackson. He has always forced himself into places, never really having the full authority to do anything substancial. Now he thinks that running for president is a racial thing. If Mr. Obama wins, my suspicion is that he will only try to unite the races, not make one more superior than another.It's time for the whites to realize their errors of the past and repent. It's also time for the blacks to forgive the sins of our forefathers, of which we had absolutly NO control, and forgive us. Otherwise it will never be any thing different. We have to step out and make concerted efforts to under and accept one another.
My MIL once said, "if you can't say it on a public street corner, don't say it at all." Jackson has been in the public eye long enough to know that there is no such thing as a private conversation with a reporter with mics around. I'm glad his true nature was revealed. Obama is not running for the office of African-American president, he's running for President of all the people. Everyone's concerns will be addressed, not just one segment of American society. Jackson needs to come into the 21st century and realize that equal rights means to stop acting like you're a special interest group.
Did anyone see Jesse Jr's strong repudiation of his father's statements?