Jesse Jackson Endorses Barack Obama

(AP)  Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said Thursday he's backing Democrat Barack Obama in his presidential bid, giving his support to a new generation of black politicians.

"He has my vote," the Rev. Jackson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Jackson sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, winning 13 primaries and caucuses in 1988. His son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois, already has endorsed Obama.

Jackson represents a different era of black politician, battle-tested by the civil rights struggles of the 1960s with Martin Luther King Jr.

Obama, 45, is biracial — his white mother was from Kansas, his father Kenyan — and educated at Ivy League universities.

In his best-selling memoir, "Dreams From My Father," Obama said he couldn't even get in the door at national civil rights groups when he was younger. He wrote letters to them after graduating from Columbia University but said none responded.

In a statement responding to Jackson's support, Obama said, "This campaign has been about giving hope since Day One and I am proud to have the support of my friend Jesse Jackson. It is because people like Jesse ran that I have this opportunity to run for president today."

Jackson could help Obama to secure the support of black voters, a critical bloc in the Democratic primaries.

Jackson has a long history with one of Obama's chief rivals, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband former President Clinton. He counseled the two when the president's affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky became public.

But Jackson said his history with the Clintons doesn't complicate his decision to back his home state senator, calling Obama Illinois' "favorite son."

"It's not awkward at all," he said, adding, "I don't owe a debt to any of them."

Jackson said he will support the winner of the Democratic nomination, whether it's Obama or not, and he is talking to other candidates because of his agenda that includes the war on poverty and voter protection.

Although Jackson failed in his bids for the White House in 1984 and 1988, he said that helped make it easier for not only blacks, but women and other minorities to run for president and function at the highest levels of government.

"We broke down barriers," Jackson said.

Jackson said Obama has not asked him to campaign for him and he is not in Obama's inner circle of advisers and fundraisers.

"I just have an appreciation of him," Jackson said.

[realpatriot1]

The cracker comment is offensive to me too. So is calling Charlie Rangel a noted racist because there's absolutely no basis in fact to that slur.

Jesse Jackson does have a long history of playing the race card just as many white conservatives do. That doesn't mean that he can't have legitimate reasons for preferring one candidate over another. In the past, he has endorsed white candidates over black candidates. Does that mean that a white who endorses John Mccain over Alan Keyes is playing the race card?Not logical.That slur is also offensive.

Wow, who could've seen all this race baiting and prejudicial *** on both sides of the spectrum coming?

[mikenelson78]

I'm a White guy from Iowa and have voted for Bush in the past. I thought that vote was the biggest mistake I made in my life, however, I have a chance to make right because Obama. This man is genuinely the best politician I have ever heard in my life and the only person who can unite this country and change the direction we are heading.

I think most of you here are a hole bunch of idiots, talking about which color a person must be in order to endorsed another. I think many of you should check your own subtle racism and be thankful to have Barack Obama who is the Abraham Lincoln of our time. A true leader, a man of the people and someone who can help us regain our respect in the world. I am not a democrat and I not a republican I am simply a true American who stands with Obama.

[bigdadpatrio]

By the way, huskerarmy, your "cracker" comment is VERY OFFENSIVE.....especially because it's going to take a whole lot of "CRACKER" votes to get Obama elected.

[bigdadpatrio]

huskerarmy, well, let me see, IF noted racists like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Charles Rangel, etc. would endorse Obama, would that keep African Americans from voting Democratic? NO WAY! Tells a lot......

[huskerarmy]

P.S. - Noted racists, Bob Jones, endorsed Ronald Reagan. Did that sway you crackers from voting for him? Uh huh...

[huskerarmy]

"That's enough to sway my vote away from Barack."
olebd, You tell on yourself. If that's enough to sway you away from Obama, then you are not the kind of person who would have ever supported Obama in the first place.

[realpatriot1]

Huskerarmy,

You know these lemmings who're jumping all over this will end up voting for whatever option the Republicans resort to anyways.

Those who scream that a black man endorsing a black man is racism yet have no problem with a white man endorsing a white man need to check their own racism at the door.

If you don't like Jesse Jackson,wonderful..neither do I. But if you were going to vote for Barack and now you're not because Jackson endorsed him then I quess Jesse can sway your vote more than he can mine.

Fartknocker2, you're proof that there's no end to the madness.

[pghlady3]

Let me be the first to say that I am soo very tired the 'race' word. Why isn't Barry's (the name Barack grew up with) mother Ann or grandmother Madelyn Dunham being intervied? Why aren't there any photos of them in the press or news??
Could it be because they are WHITE?????
I'm sorry, Rev. M.L. King is turning over in his grave right now. Shame on you Jessie Jackson

[olebd]

That's enough to sway my vote away from Barack. If Jesse Jackson really wanted racial equality, he would work harder at taking down his own dividing lines.

[oleander8]

"Jesse Jackson Endorses Barack Obama"...

...Kiss of death for Obama campaign.