Jesse Jackson Apologizes for Crude Obama Remarks
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, shown here holding a Barack Obama campaign sign in February, apologized Wednesday for remarks he made about Obama to FOX News. (AP Photo)
Rev. Jesse Jackson apologized Wednesday for saying Barack Obama is “talking down to black people” during what Jackson thought was a private conversation before a FOX News interview Sunday.
Jackson was speaking to a fellow guest at the time about Obama’s speeches in black churches and his support for faith-based charities. Jackson added before going live, “I want to cut his nuts off.”
His microphone picked up the remarks.
VIDEO: Click here to watch Jesse Jackson’s comments
At a hastily arranged news conference Wednesday evening in Chicago, Jackson said he supports Obama “unequivocally” and that he hopes to “get this behind me.”
“I have great passion for this campaign and traveled across the country … arguing the case for the campaign,” Jackson said. “And this thing I said in a hot-mic statement that’s interpreted as a distraction, I offer apology for that. I don’t want harm or hurt to come to this campaign.”
He said, “They were hurtful and wrong … but we have a relationship that can survive this.”
Jackson said in a written statement he was trying to emphasize that Obama’s moral message should “not only deal with the personal and moral responsibility of black males, but to deal with the collective moral responsibility of government and the public policy.”
Jackson said the conversation “does not reflect any disparagement on my part for the historic event in which we are involved or my pride in Senator Barack Obama, who is leading it, whom I have supported by crisscrossing this nation in every level of media and audience from the beginning in absolute terms.”
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.
Jackson told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he doesn’t remember exactly what he said Sunday but that he was “very sorry” for his comments about Obama. He called his comments “a side light in a broader conversation about urban disparities.”
Jackson said he has called Obama’s campaign to apologize.
Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton noted that the Illinois senator grew up without his father and has spoken and written at length about the issues of parental responsibility and fathers participating in their children’s lives, and of society’s obligation to provide “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 Reverend Jackson’s apology,” Burton said.
After Obama’s camp responded, Jackson told FOX News he was grateful the candidate saw through the incident.
“Let me say how happy I am that Obama was quick to respond and to accept my apology, which is relieving to me. My support for him has been long standing and unequivocal because I believe he represents the fulfillment of our civil rights dream,” Jackson said, adding that Obama has “the biggest moral platform any presidential candidate has had ever.”
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.
The comments are not the first the elder Jackson has had to explain after believing he was off the record.
In 1984, he called New York City “Hymietown,” referring to the city’s large Jewish population. He later acknowledged it was wrong to use the term, but said he did so in private to a reporter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Dear Jesse Jackson, my name is Mike Lewis; I am 35yrs old. I live in Annapolis, MD. I wanted to take a moment to share my concerns with you. I am very disappointed in you. You are a civil rights activist and a Baptist minister and you have the nerve to use the N word. What is wrong with you? Why would you use the N word? I thought you were fighting to have that word removed but yet you are using it? You should be a better role model for these young adults. Not just blacks all races. Why are you so hard on Obama? He has a chance to make history. Are you jealous? Is it because you didn’t make it as far when you were running for President of the United States. You’re only making your self look stupid. You have made several comments regarding Obama, and then later you decided to apologize. You should have never made the comments. I don’t believe that you thought the microphone was off. I think you are doing these things for media attention. I think it is truly time for you to retire.
My parents have been married for over 40yrs, they raised seven children; none of my sibling has ever been in trouble. My brothers are very good respectful hard working men that take care of their family.
As a professional black man it is very discouraging when every statistic I hear is always negative towards the black race i.e. more blacks have diabetes, cancer, HIV, obesity etc. You never hear Caucasian people speak negatively about their race. As you may know there are more Caucasian people on welfare but you never hear them say it. Oprah once said she doesn’t believe in statistic, but when you keep hearing that message people start to believe it.
Caucasian people do not have to be races because of black people like you. I can’t express how disappointed I am in you. You are a minister, I really feel sorry for you. I pray that GOD has mercy on your soul.
Sincerely,
Mike Lewis
I guess ‘Reverend’ Jackson is a “do as I say and not as I do, kind of man”
Jesse Jackson is a hypocrite and always has been. What we heard on the “hot mic” is only a taste of the man who calls himself a Reverend. Now I am not going to sit here and say that I don’t make comments like these at times, but I am also not a nationally known personality. People in the spotlight, like Mr. Jackson, have been blessed with the opportunity to be heard on a large scale. Therefore, they are held to higher standard and must religiously moniter (no PUN intended) what they say and how they act. I don’t blame America for stereotyping Christianity the way they do with men like Jesse Jackson at the forefront.
Why do we still give “Airtime” to this leach? I work with Black people and they don’t want to hear a word he has to say. His followers are the very poor,that hasn’t caught on to this guy!
Every one would prefer to see Mr. Bill Cosby,as a spokes person for the Black people. Jesse is watching out for Jesse! He doesn’t live a very “Moral’ life,and is very discussting person to watch.
Sincerely,
Robert Scott
Pekin,Il 61554
Come on fox, why are you shielding this guy? If it were a white man you would already have released the tapes and the transcripts publicly. Let’s hear what he really said and let the public make their judgement.
I am not at all surprised by this so called rev to use this kind of language, moreover Jesse Jackson knows himself this Obama is not fit to be president. And America you can start the clock if he is, for the end of America as you and Know it. This guy is the most elitest,divisive,manipulitive person in politics today. He has been propped up by the left. He hates America, his wife is the same. His pastor has for 30 pus years blamed whitey and America for everything including aids. WHEN ARE YOU PEOPLE going to get it. I pray to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ to spare this GREAT country of ever having this Racist, America hating, elitist from ever being called the PRESIDENT of THe greatest country in the world.
John 3:16 I am his, And he is mine. Praise be to Christ not allah, sorry liberals. We are and I pray always will be a nation who can see through people like this. THINK ABOUT IT, JESSE JACKSON SUPPORTS HIM< UNEQUEVICALLY!
Now now Jesse , we all know the eunic doesn’t have any nuts to cut off. Anyway your apologies don’t mean much you and Sharpton are of the same thread.
Don’t apologize too much Jesse! You have been around a long time someone else said and I agree. We like the Jesse we know. Let them whine, man. We think Jesse is right; he’s one of us. Jesse for America!