Jesse Jackson Apologizes To Obama

Reverend Made "Regretfully Crude" Comment In Private Conversation Caught On Tape

(CBS/ AP)  The Rev. Jesse Jackson has apologized for "regretfully crude" comments he made about Barack Obama's speeches in black churches during what he thought was a private conversation.

Jackson said he commented in response to a question from a Fox News reporter about speeches on morality that Obama has given at black churches. A Fox spokeswoman said the comments came during a conversation with a Fox & Friends guest before a live interview Sunday from Chicago.

The reverend said Wednesday that he had said Obama's speeches "can come off as speaking down to black people" and that there were other important issues to be addressed in the black community, such as unemployment, the mortgage crisis and the number of blacks in prison.

"And then I said something I thought regretfully crude but it was very private and very much a sound bite and a live mic," Jackson told CNN.

Fox News on Wednesday night aired the excerpt of Jackson's comment, including a reference to wanting to cut off Obama's genitalia.

Fox News bleeped out the offending single-syllable word in its broadcast.

In a video aired Wednesday night on the Fox program "The O'Reilly Factor," Jackson whispers to a fellow panelist , "See, Barack been, um, talking down to black people on this faith based ... I want cut his n**s off ... Barack ... he's talking down to black people."

Jackson was making the remarks to Dr. Reed V. Tuckson, executive vice president and chief of medical affairs for UnitedHealth Group.

Jackson told The Associated Press that he doesn't remember "exactly" what he said Sunday but that he was "very sorry."

"For any harm or hurt that this hot mic private conversation may have caused, I apologize," Jackson said in a written statement. "My support for Senator Obama's campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal."

Jackson said he has called Obama's campaign to apologize.

"My appeal was for the moral content of his message to 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's statement said of his comments.

"That was the context of my private conversation and it does not reflect any disparagement on my part ... or my pride in Senator Barack Obama," he said.

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.

On CBS News' The Early Show on Thursday, Jackson said he hopes the incident does not harm Obama's campaign.

"That's why I was quick to respond and he was quick to respond generously as well," Jackson said. "Our relationship is intact and the campaign is intact and we look forward to this magnificent redemptive moment."

Though Jackson is supporting Obama, the two are not close.

Jackson even took heat from his own son, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., for writing a column last year questioning the commitment of Obama and other Democratic presidential candidates to the needs of black voters. Jackson Jr. wrote a response in The Chicago Sun-Times with the headline, "You're wrong on Obama, Dad."

And Jackson is the third Chicago pastor to create problems for Obama on the campaign trail.

In March, a videotape of Obama's longtime former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. created a political firestorm in the primaries. On the tape, Wright accused the U.S. government of creating AIDS and is seen shouting "God damn America" during a sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

In May, Roman Catholic priest the Rev. Michael Pfleger mocked Obama's then Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton during a guest sermon at Obama's former church, from which Obama has since resigned. Pfleger, who is white, pretended he was Clinton crying over "a black man stealing my show."

The comments about Obama are not the first 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 the wrong to use the term, but said he did so in private to a reporter.

Michael Fauntroy, an associate professor of public policy at George Mason University and author of "Republicans And The Black Vote, said he thinks this latest incident will hurt Jackson himself more than anyone else.

"I think his reputation has been in trouble for years among some African-Americans," Fauntroy said on The Early Show. "This is one more line in the misteps that he's made that cast him in a very bad light against those African-Americans in my generation, some of whom view him very differently than those who come from his generation."

[greatdrivew]

Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ed Rendell and now Jesse Jackson.

Yep, this is Change We Con Believe In alright.

It''s really is time to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday, and that includes rejecting Obama and his lies.

Four years of McCain''s predictable double talk is far preferrable to eight years of Obama''s unpredictable fraud.

Vote your conscience, progressives.

Find and vote for an honest third party candidate.

[pepperp1]

hahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahhahahah
but but but but.......Jesse WE AGREE




............and are you maybe forgetting your the OLD GAURD,,,,,hahahahahahahaha

knife in the BACK Rep JJJR will be pissed

[marcpcbs]

A private conversation with a reporter?

[oneamerican-]

Interesting. CBS wants to delete factual content from their comments.

Only liberals suppress free speech in this country.

[jedi080808]

fOX IS PLAYING THE BIT TONIGHT ON HANNITY AND COLMES.

ITS BAD!!!!

[fleura-2009]

Anybody here ask yourself:

1. How many miscarriages have you had in your household?

2. How many DNCs have you had in your household

3. How many RAPE cases of friends and family can you count...that is if you can count?

4. How many "Faked Miscarriages" in your household?

5. Turn to your Moms and Sister and ask: How many DNCs?

It is not a new law...it has been in effect for decades and thousands of years. GET IT! We just need to call what it is!!!!

DNC or Abortion or Fake Miscarriages or whatever...

It''''''''s about WOMEN and laws to protect them!!!!

It''''s time to SHUT THESE GUYS up and we as women remind them that life and laws are not all about them!!!

These IDIOTS would use a very "SENSITIVE" issue to women as a debatable joke!!!

Question: should we let the people decide on these risky procedures or implement safety measures and laws!!!

[fleura-2009]

Today''s topic is: Women''s Rights, not conversations between Barack and Jackson. They are friends.

[danstoned]

The American Association of Clinical Psychologists have declared "conservatism" as a mental disorder.

[greatdrivew]

Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow have officially become the DNC''''s version of Limbaugh and Hannity.

All are blind, partisan hacks; and none has any credibility.

Anyone who listens to any of them is derelict.

[oneamerican-]

"The Obama campaign, the DNC and the MSM controlling the national conversation and it is a crime."

Posted by sincityq at 06:19 PM : Jul 09, 2008


The fourth estate thinks it is in charge of America.

It may take a revolution to throw off the chains of tyranical rule by the liberal media, and the DNC.

[danstoned]

Posted by sincityq
The Obama campaign, the DNC and the MSM controlling the national conversation and it is a crime.

What planet are you on? McCain continues to get a free ride from Big Corporate media, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Republicon Fascist PArty.

[jumkey]

Conservatives are liars and sociopaths.

Fox "reporters" are simply water carriers for the Republican Party and would do or say anything to attack and defame the Democrats and Obama.

They''re scum.

[oneamerican-]

Has anyone of you liberal actually heard what Jackson said about Obama?

I''ll paraphrase, but it was a verbal assault on Obama''s masculinity...

[oneamerican-]

Looks like liberals are about to lose another major battle today...

[oneamerican-]

Cut it out, Jesse Jackson!

*snicker*

[oneamerican-]

Obama sez:

"You cut me up, Jesse!"

[danstoned]

Posted by cornbiker
Pretty sad that our choices are an old man or a young punk..

Agreed, but now the choice is between a 3rd Bush term or a better America.

[oneamerican-]

"Agreed, but now the choice is between a 3rd Bush term or a better America."

Posted by danstoned at 06:32 PM : Jul 09, 2008


Obama is appearing to be more like a third term Bush Presidency that McCain is.

Are you sure you know what you''re doing?

[undermyboot]

John McCain gives DIRECT REWARDS to reporters for writing POSITIVE articles and making positive comments about him. He is BUYING REPORTERS- HE IS PAYING THEM OFF.

The McCain campaign yesterday acknowledged that seats on the "Straight Talk" airplane are assigned to reward "positive" reporters with special access seating in the front of the plane. The seats are REWARDED TO REPORTERS WHO PROVIDE POSITIVE COVERAGE TO McCAIN.

These seats provide direct access to McCain, access denied to other reporters on the McCain airplane. As you know, "ACCESS IS MONEY." Reporters are rewarded by their media companies and bosses for gaining access to candidates. The more access the better the reporter is viewed by their boss. This means MORE MONEY AND MORE PROMOTIONS.

So the McCain campaign has set up a program to PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REWARDS TO REPORTERS THAT PROVIDE McCAIN WITH POSITIVE COVERAGE.

What we need is for HORSERACE to create a new section, "WHO IS THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN REWARDING TODAY." All that is required is for ONE reporter to daily send the seating assignments on the McCain airplane. Who got the "SPECIAL ACCESS SEATS" in first class? Who is being punished for critical reporting and is sitting in the back of the plane? It will make for VERY interesting reading.

[oneamerican-]

Jesse Jackson verbally castrated Barack Obama today.


Not a good day for the Democrat Party.

[libsluv2spit]

Agreed, but now the choice is between a 3rd Bush term or a better America.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by danstoned at 06:32 PM : Jul 09, 2008
+ report abuse


*************

it would better serve you if you ''de-stoned'' your arse and know that there is no 3rd term and american WILL NEVER be fashioned in your own personal vision of decadence

[danstoned]

McCain is a Bush clone. He lies, he lies, and he lies. This is the real John McCain.

[dowell100]

Jackson made remarks so crude about Obama that they cannot be repeated on CNN (though they can be found elsewhere)! They were obscene racial remarks!

Obama is dividing the US, he is even dividing blacks. If Obama is elected it will be even worse.

And Jackson? He is the worst kind of hypocrite. I saw Jackson''s spin in his news conference and it was disgusting. No free pass for Jackson this time... he has disgraced himself and needs to resign all positions of leadership he has.

Jackson and Sharpton nailed Imus for saying much milder things, so Jackson needs to step down. Jackson''s racist remarks have no place in public life.

[chalres-2009]

Once again Obama states a truth and people cannot take it. We are so use to being lied to, that we simply cannot be talked to like adults. Were doomed.

[rushlimpdrug]

dope-bama gets a racial slur from a racist.

how special.

[likeitis5050]

Obama is fresh breeze in communities tainted by Jackson and Sharpton...with Obama....they can jump on the wagon and kiss Jackson and Sharpton good bye! I hope the ride is worth the fare....oh...it''s not going to be a free ride for anyone...including the black communities who think he''s going to open up a ''no charge'' line just for them. Obama is an equal opportunity tax man....all aboard!!!!

[danstoned]

Notice that we have yet another article from the AP with no authors name. Southern White Republicon Cult members continue to do everything that they can to divide America.

[fleura-2009]

The Democratic Party is doing great. Jesse Jackson is one of ours same as Hillary Clinton and her husband.

So you all get off your high horses and get a life!

[danstoned]

Today 81% of Americans stated that the USA is headed in the wrong direction. This is not good news for the Republicon Fascist Party. This is not good news for John "the fascist" McCain, either.

[gotagrip]

This should help Obama big time. Jackson has become a joke in America and he is obviously jealous that Obama is now the main man in Black America. Having Rhyming Jesse the Extremist come out against you is a big help. Should help with moderate voters!! THANKS JESSE!!

(Or was it planned this way all along?)

[bdrlnt4rl]

the advocates for our black communities should be an advocate for education and being responsible for your life and your actions instead of encouraging handouts from the government, drugs and crime. pull up your pants, get off drugs, get off welfare, GET AN EDUCATION and enjoy the feeling of self worth. be a real man, or woman!

[agt-r]

What''s just flabbergasting is that, in his apology, Jackson finds an excuse by blaming the government for his frustration: "My appeal was for the moral content of his message to 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 which would be a corrective action for the lack of good choices that often led to their irresponsibility". Tipical Democrats: Let''s have all of us who bust our rear pay for everyone so that they don''t become irresponsible...

[paris1969]

for those of you who think that the country is doing terrible is bad for McCain ... keep in mind that the Congress has lower approval ratings than Bush ... McCain is no Bush .. anymore than Obama is Jesse Jackson!

[wl7bzh]

If Obama can wipe out the Sharpton/Jackson "Ima Victim" shakedown program then it would be worth having him in office

[irliberal]

for those of you who think that the country is doing terrible is bad for McCain ... keep in mind that the Congress has lower approval ratings than Bush ... McCain is no Bush .. anymore than Obama is Jesse Jackson!

Posted by paris1969 at 07:07 PM

McSame sings "bomb bomb bomb Iran" to the press and thinks it''s FUNNY.

He''s an absolute maniac - a nightmare that can never be allowed to happen.

Nobody jokes about war and death. He''s not fit to be in ANY public office.

[coco0331]

I thought maybe Jackson told him some people think their politicians, but their not. Or some people think their an expert politician, but their not. Or some people think they can be president, but they can''t. I''d vote for Jesse first. "None of the above" needs to be added to the ballot. Obama will say and do whatever is convenient. Campaign finance, Fisa, and Iraq are proof of his flip flopping

[bdrlnt4rl]

AGT-R, what else do these dumasss advocates want the government to do?

did anyone see jackson pick any of the new orleans stuck after katrina in his fancy helocopter, or did he just land and then take off alone after crying and complaining on national tv.

they give these thugs that the advocates try to protect and try to keep them out of prison all the money I can give them when i go to the store! plz the advocates, sharpton, jackson, quannel x, are so afraid that if our black community pulls up their pants, there will be no more money for them. they will be the ones on welfare.haha.

[sgtrds10-4]

Agreed, but now the choice is between a 3rd Bush term or a better America.

Posted by danstoned at 06:32 PM : Jul 09, 2008

And besides, McCain is senile and getting worse everyday. In a year, two at the most, he won''t remember his own name.

[pepperp1]

Spokesman Burton says in statement that %u201C[Obama] of course accepts Reverend Jackson%u2019s apology.%u201D
Adds: %u201CHe will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other.%u201D
Earlier: The civil rights leader says he%u2019s sorry for a %u201Ccrude and hurtful%u201D remark he made on Sunday about the Senator%u2019s attitude toward African-Americans, picked up by a live microphone.
%u201CI said something I regret was crude. It was very private.%u201D
Tape of the comment to air on Fox%u2019s %u201CThe O%u2019Reilly Factor%u201D Wednesday at 8 pm ET.






Hey this name calling started with a Jackson and maybe it will end with a Jackson just not how Jr thought............whooooaaa Jessie not thrown under the Obama bus yet, what did Rep JJJR stand up for pops or are they afraid this time..........

[endofbones]

undrmyboot2 you are right on about mccain selecting pro mccain reporters for positive media spin. However, Obama is doing the exact same thing while also promoting media blackouts of all canidates who are not in congruence with the corporate controlled media suc has Kucinich, Paul, NADER, Barr, Barstow etc...

Go to google trends and search for "ron paul, john mccain, Barack Obama" and you will see how ron paul was by far the most popular presidential canidate yet he was excluded from the debates and recieved no media coverage whatsoever thereby undercutting his popularity and campaign.

[dowell100]

Notice how so many Obama-bots are taking about everything else here except the racist hate speech attack on Obama by Jesse Jackson.

It''s all smoke and mirrors with them... they refuse to talk about how Obama is dividing Americans, even blacks. They are afraid to confront the black racism Obama has generated with Wright, Jackson and others.

Jackson''s racial hate-speech is najor news, it can be ignored. Jackson''s apology was worthless, much weaker than the apology Imus made.

[dowell100]

Jackson''''s racial hate-speech is major news, it CAN''T be ignored

[pepperp1]

but but but but Jessie we agree with you we don%u2019t like him either ...yuck dumb progressives to late to late


%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026.please please please don%u2019t throw my papa under the Wright Bus %u2026.ah oh ah oh %u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026.

Jessie said Obama was talking down to Black People oh my oh my,,,,,,,,,lordy Jessie come on,

%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026..Obama talks down to All people equal opportunity%u2026..Si typical illiterate whitey rube

Ok so now I really am voting for McCain and I too want my money back dumb progressives

[pepperp1]

Jessie said Obama was talking down to Black People oh my oh my,,,,,,,,,lordy Jessie come on,

%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026..Obama talks down to All people equal opportunity%u2026..Si typical illiterate whitey rube

Ok so now I really am voting for McCain and I too want my money back dumb progressives





but Jessie is right Obama said it was their entire fault why they have not progressed as a people..............................while Jessie thinks its everyone else%u2019s fault




lordy, those Progressives, blame blame blame blame what a platform can%u2019t wait for the GE

Si! Too funny Obama has offended so many groups now they are saying he needs the Latino%u2019s to win%u2026.hahhahah Si! Si we speak Spanish he hasn%u2019t called us names yet%u2026

[element51]

What the helll was Jackson thinking? Doesn''t he know that Faux News will use anything it can get it''s hands on against Obama? Then Limbaugh and Hannity will twist and distort it again. I thought Jackson was smarter than that.

[kansas1946]

LOL. Well if Jesse doesn''t like Obama''s message, then that cinches my vote. I knew from the beginning that Obmama''s popularity threatens the security of the former black leaders. Those leaders built their power on the oppression of black Americans which was true when they first started their messages. But they maintain their power now buy convincing black Americans that all of us white folk really deep down don''t like them and would keep them down if we could. Obama flies in the face of that. No one has to be politically correct in the voting booth and in that voting booth thousands, upon thousands, of white Americans voted for him. They show up in droves at his speeches. Hard to justify that message of black oppression with Obama in their face. There will always be racists, nothing you can do about that, but most Americans love high achievers of any color and they are proving it now.

[kansas1946]

Notice how so many Obama-bots are taking about everything else here except the racist hate speech attack on Obama by Jesse Jackson.
***********************************

I am supporting Obama and I am talking about Jesse. Jesse is trying to maintain his power through fear, just like GWB. White people love Obama and it is kind of hard to cry racist America when they do. Poor Jesse. He just never figured out that the civil rights movement was a success.

[rjstolba]

The Rev must be tearing his hair (what''s left) out because Obama isn''t calling him every day for his input. Jesse, your day has come and gone.

[pepperp1]

am supporting Obama and I am talking about Jesse. Jesse is trying to maintain his power through fear, just like GWB. White people love Obama and it is kind of hard to cry racist America when they do. Poor Jesse. He just never figured out that the civil rights movement was a success.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by kansas1946 at 07:53 PM : Jul 09, 2008




yeah or it could be that Obama is an arrogant arse who really dose speak down to Blacks that lecture was condescending at least and it could also be Jessie is a fine man who dose not fear any such thing.....

oh oh yeah Jessie a has been Al accepted the torch knew that BUS was coming.....



grape or cherry to funny what losers

[hawksprings]

Hey Libs,
Just so you know, because CBSNews won''t tell you, The Reverend Jesse Jackson said he wanted to cut Obama''s nuts off.

Just so you know.