CHICAGO, July 17, 2008

Jesse Jackson Used N-Word In Obama Remarks

Fox News Confirms Civil Rights Leader Used Word Off-Air During Interview Break; He Apologizes Again

  • Play CBS Video Video Jesse Jackson's 'N Word' No-No

    The Rev. Jesse Jackson has once again had to apologize, this time for using the "N-word" in off-air remarks, the same day he made disparaging comments about Sen. Barack Obama. Bill Plante reports.

  • Photo Essay Barack Obama

    A look at the life and meteoric rise of the president-elect.

(CBS/ AP)  The Rev. Jesse Jackson used the N-word during a break in a TV interview where he criticized presidential candidate Barack Obama, Fox News confirmed Wednesday.

The longtime civil rights leader already came under fire this month for crude off-air comments he made against Obama in what he thought was a private conversation during a taping of a "Fox & Friends" news show.

In additional comments from that same conversation, first reported by the blog TVNewser, Jackson is reported to have said Obama was "talking down to black people," and referred to blacks with the N-word when he said Obama was telling them "how to behave."

Though a Fox spokesman confirmed the TVNewer's account to The Associated Press, the network declined to release the full transcript of the July 6 show and did not air the comments.

Fox News host Bill O'Reilly said the network had nothing to do with the latest on this embarrassing moment for Jackson, reports CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante.

"We're not out to get Jesse Jackson," O'Reilly said. "We're not out to embarrass him. We're not out to make him look bad."

Jackson - who is traveling in Spain - apologized in a statement Wednesday for "hurtful words" but didn't offer specifics.

"I am deeply saddened and distressed by the pain and sorrow that I have caused as a result of my hurtful words. I apologize again to Senator Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, their children as well as to the American public," Jackson said in a written statement. "There really is no justification for my comments and I hope that the Obama family and the American public will forgive me. I also pray that we, as a nation, can move on to address the real issues that affect the American people."

A spokeswoman for Jackson's civil rights organization, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, said she could not confirm that Jackson used the slur.

Jackson has called on the entertainment industry, including rappers, actors and studios, to stop using the N-Word. He also urged the public to boycott purchasing DVD copies of the TV sitcom "Seinfeld" after co-star Michael Richards was taped using the word during a rant at a Los Angeles comedy club in 2006.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has joined Jackson in opposition of the word, said on CBS News' The Early Show on Thursday that he was "very disappointed" by this latest revelation.

"I think this certainly does not reflect the Reverend Jackson that we all know and love," Sharpton said. "I think that we have to be consistent. We have denounced the N-word… I think clearly all of us must strive to do in private what we profess in public. Once we take this public position we have that responsibility. I've said and many of those in other groups, NAACP and others, that we've all used it in the past. And we've got to stop it as we challenge this nation. We can't challenge others without challenging ourselves."

"I still hold Reverend Jackson in high esteem, but I certainly do not at all condone the use of the word by Reverend Jackson, myself or anyone else," he added. (Watch video of Sharpton's interview)

©MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Add a Comment See all 728 Comments
by ubrew12 July 16, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
Fox News. Hunting black rabbits everywhere.

Murdock must have this serious hatred for blacks, like many Aussies...
Reply to this comment
by nssherlock1 July 16, 2008 11:50 PM PDT
Yeah, how dare they report the truth!
Reply to this comment
by irliberal July 16, 2008 11:51 PM PDT
Eh, the ambulance chaser screwed up and now should pay for it.
Reply to this comment
by edward1975-2009 July 16, 2008 11:53 PM PDT
I would have expected nothing less from this racist. Him and Sharpton have done nothing but promote racial hatred all their lives, under the guise of being men of faith. They have proven time and time again to have no other agenda than the self-promotion of themselves. The black community should run hard and fast in the opposite direction of these supposed " black leaders" and distance themselves from there hate-mongering ways.
Reply to this comment
by kansas1946 July 16, 2008 11:58 PM PDT
LOL.. Jesse is just mad ''cause his star is falling and Barack''s is rising. Sour grapes is a terrible thing. :o)
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:04 AM PDT
"...I apologize again to Senator Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, their children as well as to the American public,"
----------------------
This is like.. like... it''s like... THIS SUKKS!!!

Is there ANYTHING left? Does ANYBODY really mean what they say they stand for?

Jackson is a bedwetter. OH, I APOLOGIZE. Jackson''s mother wears army boots. OH, I APOLOGIZE. Jackson is a ***. OH, I APOLOGIZE. Apparently you can say whatever you want, as long as you APOLOGIZE.

Or, is that only if you''re Jesse Jackson? Oops, I''m in BIG TROUBLE NOW...
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:06 AM PDT
I now pronounce Jesse Jackson to be an HONORARY BABY BOOMER.

He''s a TOTAL FAKE and a HORSE''S ***.
Reply to this comment
by tiredofthebs July 17, 2008 12:07 AM PDT
I STILL say let Jesse cut off his n_ts!
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:08 AM PDT
Remember that LA cop who got the book thrown at him for using the N-word??? I WONDER HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THIS STORY.

NOT! No, I don''t wonder at all.
Reply to this comment
by ubrew12 July 17, 2008 12:09 AM PDT
nsSherlock1 said: "Yeah, how dare they report the truth!"
Did you say the ''truth'' or the ''trivial''?
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:10 AM PDT
TiredoftheBS wrote
I STILL say let Jesse cut off his n_ts!
-------------
I say it''s time to cut off JESSE''S nu7s.

OH, I APOLOGIZE.

Jesse Jackson is a piece of ***.

OH, I APOLOGIZE.

Jesse Jackson''s mother is a **.

OH, I APOLOGIZE.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:15 AM PDT
Wasn''t it "The Office" that had an episode with the following dialogue:

"You know, that word. It was the name of that guy''s dog in that war movie about the bomber planes, "633 Squadron" I think it was [actually it was "Dam Busters"]."

"You mean, the one we can''t say anymore."

"But they can."

"That''s the one."
Reply to this comment
by dmhphils July 17, 2008 12:16 AM PDT
Everybody knows that other blacks get to call other blacks the "N" word.....it''s kind of a secret code that other blacks know.

We whites don''t have a word like that "N" word.....it''s really not fair or anything. Let''s make one up.....like, a, ah "whigger"......how bout that? You whigger....come on now....whatz up whigger? I like it ....I like it
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:17 AM PDT
Edward1975 wrote
I would have expected nothing less from this racist.
-------------
Have you ever noticed how the ones who SAY they''re against racism turn out to BE racist???

Projection. Look it up. It fits.
Reply to this comment
by Scooter68 July 17, 2008 12:20 AM PDT
SkyFive RE:"Nice, hope the Rainbow Coalition isn''''t paying for this out of their help the black folks fund."

Most likely he is in Spain to extort more money from companies he feels can be ''touched'' by his request for support.
The man threatens companies for his percieve racial misconduct yet he throws out the N word and makes crude comment about Obama. He''s becoming a joke along with being a hypocrit.



Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:20 AM PDT
noseonurface wrote
We whites don''''t have a word like that "N" word
------------------
Mexicans say "amigo." Means the same thing.

White people say "pal" or "buddy" or "my friend."

And I''m gonna be REALLY OFFENDED next time a Mexican calls me amigo.

BTW, a black person has called ME the N-word. TWICE. Using their meaning. Now what am I supposed to do? Thank them or something???


Reply to this comment
by ubrew12 July 17, 2008 12:25 AM PDT
The Fed just took over a major American bank, and other takeovers are on the way. Brand ''America'' is for sale, just as brand ''Budweiser'' just got bought. GM is going bankrupt.

Despite all that frivolous stuff, depend on Fox news to report the IMPORTANT stuff.

txgrouch: ''But Jesse''s a Boomer!''

The rest of America: "Jesse who?''
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:26 AM PDT
How many crosses will be burning tonight?

OH, I APOLOGIZE!
Reply to this comment
by dmhphils July 17, 2008 12:27 AM PDT
BTW, a black person has called ME the N-word. TWICE. Using their meaning. Now what am I supposed to do? Thank them or something???





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

Posted by txgrouch2006 at 12:20 AM : Jul 17, 2008

welllllll, you are only allowed to use the "W" word whigger on white people, so I don''t know.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:27 AM PDT
ubrew12 wrote
txgrouch: ''''But Jesse''''s a Boomer!''''
--------------
ubrew12, I was born AFTER 1960.

Just thought I''d remind you before you make your usual rant...
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:29 AM PDT
noseonurface wrote
you are only allowed to use the "W" word whigger on white people, so I don''''t know.
------------
Let''s ask Jesse. I bet he''d know what to do.

I SHOULD HAVE APOLOGIZED!!!
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:32 AM PDT
BTW, Jesse Jackson was born in 1941. So he''s not a Baby Boomer.

But he sure ACTS LIKE ONE. So I''ve made him a honorary Boomer.

In private, I''ve also bestowed some OTHER TITLES on him. But if I say them here, I''ll get ***''ed.

OH, I APOLOGIZE!! REALLY I DON''T KNOW WHAT GOT INTO ME! IT''S JUST INEXPLICABLE!!!
Reply to this comment
by dmhphils July 17, 2008 12:36 AM PDT
OH, I APOLOGIZE!! REALLY I DON''''T KNOW WHAT GOT INTO ME! IT''''S JUST INEXPLICABLE!!!



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

Posted by txgrouch2006 at 12:32 AM : Jul 17, 2008



You''re allowed to use "whigger" in private all you want. You can even call yourself whigger if you want. We whiggers are pretty flexible.....and then, you never know.....the next day we might do away with whigger all together.....we''re not hung up on buzz words even if others are.
Reply to this comment
by sistatee-2009 July 17, 2008 12:36 AM PDT
Aw, Jesse...I buy ya books and buy ya books, and still you say this crazy sh-t.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:36 AM PDT
I nominate this news item as THE NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR for 2008.

NO STORY could better sum up this year of such utter hypocrisy that NOBODY EVEN CARES ANYMORE. We don''t even PRETEND to expect integrity from ANYONE ANYMORE.

What next - the Pope announces that he''s secretly Protestant???
Reply to this comment
by dmhphils July 17, 2008 12:40 AM PDT
"I am deeply saddened and distressed by the pain and sorrow that I have caused as a result of my hurtful words. I apologize again to Senator Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, their children as well as to the American public," Jackson said in a written statement. "There really is no justification for my comments and I hope that the Obama family and the American public will forgive me. I also pray that we, as a nation, can move on to address the real issues that affect the American people."

Oh please.....Jesse....stop....stop.....I''m begging you......You are so full of it......it make me want to puke.

I''m so glad he appologized.....I don''t think we "as a nation"....)Haaaa) can move on after that. Geeze....what an idiot. Got caught with your trap wide open and then try to convince the whole world that the "debble made me do it" .....what a dork.....he doesn''t even deserve the N word. He is a whigger man.
Reply to this comment
by forasongca July 17, 2008 12:45 AM PDT
Not that I much care about Mr. Jackson...but I''d be more likely to believe that the Easter Bunny was going to make me breakfasts tomorrow than I''d believe *anything* on Faux, er, Fox News. Especially something unflattering about a "liberal." If Fox said the sun was shining, I''d look outside to confirm it.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:47 AM PDT
ForASongCA wrote
Fox said the sun was shining, I''''d look outside to confirm it.
----------
Yah, they''re MAKING IT UP!! You pathetic loser. You assume they''re lying because THAT''S WHAT YOU''D DO.
Reply to this comment
by patriot12436 July 17, 2008 12:50 AM PDT
If this had been a white reverand saying these things sharpton would have been all over it already He wouldn''t wait to hear the whole comment first.
Reply to this comment
by patriot12436 July 17, 2008 12:52 AM PDT
noseonurface
Whigger is a term used to describe white teens who dress and act black, sorry it is already taken.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:54 AM PDT
If Jesse the Racist made BOTH the "nu7s" and the "N-word" comment in the SAME DAY, why did Fox let the stories out SEPARATELY?

Are they trying to make Jesse into the next Rev. Wright? Obama can forgive the FIRST time - but the SECOND time it''s serious...?
Reply to this comment
by patriot12436 July 17, 2008 12:54 AM PDT
txgrouch
I had a black coworker who i was on very good terms with call me a cracker, i called him a n---ger and he got po''ed. I asked him what was the difference in him calling me a cracker and my calling him the n word. He thought about it and admitted i was right. I think we both had a better understanding at that time.
Reply to this comment
by libsluv2spit July 17, 2008 12:55 AM PDT
Not that I much care about Mr. Jackson...but I''''d be more likely to believe that the Easter Bunny was going to make me breakfasts tomorrow than I''''d believe *anything* on Faux, er, Fox News. Especially something unflattering about a "liberal." If Fox said the sun was shining, I''''d look outside to confirm it.

Posted by ForASongCA at 12:45 AM : Jul 17, 2008
+ report abuse
*********

and of course a words from half baked comedian turn news anchor on comedy central is gospel when preaching unflaterring things about a conservative..

DENIAL IS AN UGLY WORD
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:55 AM PDT
What''s Obama gonna do now?

Just let this Jesse guy call him a punk TWICE???
Reply to this comment
by germanmom July 17, 2008 12:56 AM PDT
Edward1975: I wholeheartedly agree with you.
Reply to this comment
by libsluv2spit July 17, 2008 12:57 AM PDT
Jessie Jackson is a ni GGER pretending to be an african american..

this guy, along with al shaprton, are nothing more than opportunistic ghetto leeches that thrives on hyped up misery
Reply to this comment
by libsluv2spit July 17, 2008 12:58 AM PDT
Jessie Jackson is a ni GGER pretending to be an african american..

this guy, along with al shaprton, are nothing more than opportunistic ghetto leeches that thrives on hyped up misery
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 12:58 AM PDT
patriot12436 wrote
He thought about it and admitted i was right.
--------------------------
When I tried that, the other guy just muttered something about "365 years." Nothing changed.

They can say it. We can''t.
Reply to this comment
by ruby0728 July 17, 2008 12:59 AM PDT
Not that I much care about Mr. Jackson...but I''''d be more likely to believe that the Easter Bunny was going to make me breakfasts tomorrow than I''''d believe *anything* on Faux, er, Fox News. Especially something unflattering about a "liberal." If Fox said the sun was shining, I''''d look outside to confirm it.
Posted by ForASongCA at 12:45 AM : Jul 17, 2008
------------------------------------------------------

Good evening.....Yes Fox News conjured up this story and then the REV apologized as a result....Man, you are a genius.
Reply to this comment
by tbweb July 17, 2008 1:00 AM PDT
The American version of English is extremely versatile and flexible and the same words mean different things depending on the context and culture the words are used in, Slang comes to mind for example but there are many others like Ebonics recently noted used in the Black community. But to get to the point, even if Rev. Jackson did use the n`igger word in a conversation about Obama, its common knowledge when Blacks use n`igger with each other its not the same as when other cultures use it with Blacks in which case the context becomes offensive! Its all about "who" and "context".
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 1:00 AM PDT
Jesse Jackson is like all the rest - just another brick in the wall.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 1:01 AM PDT
tbweb wrote
Its all about "who" and "context".
--------------
No. It''s not. It''s all about "racism" and "hypocrisy."
Reply to this comment
by tbweb July 17, 2008 1:04 AM PDT
tbweb wrote
Its all about "who" and "context".
--------------
No. It''''s not. It''''s all about "racism" and "hypocrisy."

Posted by txgrouch2006 at 01:01 AM : Jul 17, 2008,,,

No its not, you are either in or out, n`igger is misunderstood and offensive if you are out!
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 1:04 AM PDT
tbweb,

UP YOURS!
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 1:06 AM PDT
Jackson has now called the next President a punk TWICE.

I think I''m starting to see his angle...

There will be blood in the streets.
Reply to this comment
by ruby0728 July 17, 2008 1:06 AM PDT
Tbweb.......you don''t really believe that do you? Jesse meant no harm? He was just joking?
RIGHT..................
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 1:09 AM PDT
Malcom X was killed by members of his own church. They said he was going soft, he wasn''t militant enough anymore.

Jackson is setting up Obama to get the same...
Reply to this comment
by tbweb July 17, 2008 1:10 AM PDT
Posted by txgrouch2006 at 01:04 AM : Jul 17, 2008,,,
Posted by ruby0728 at 01:06 AM : Jul 17, 2008,,,

I''m obviously talking over your head, forget it!
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 17, 2008 1:11 AM PDT
tbweb wrote
I''''m obviously talking over your head
-----------
UP YOURS!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by tbweb July 17, 2008 1:12 AM PDT
tbweb wrote
I''''''''m obviously talking over your head
-----------
UP YOURS!!!!!

Posted by txgrouch2006 at 01:11 AM : Jul 17, 2008,,,

Grow up!
Reply to this comment
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