So now we know why Michelle always sounds so militant. She grew up in Jesse Jackson Sr's home. Michelle Laverne Robinson, and Jackson's daughter, Santita, were best friends and remain so. Jackson's daughter is godmother to one of the Obama kids. Meanwhile Jesse Jackson's son is Obama's top national chair for his election campaign...and he was one who compared Obama's win in Iowa to OJ murdering Nichole. This led to progressive mag Slate asking if Jr. was trying to sabotage Obama's campaign. The following week Jr redeemed himself by attacking Clinton for crying in New Hampshire but not crying in the wake of Katrina...(another WTF comment similar to the debate comment by Obama who also immediately raised Katrina when asked about his overseas response to Al Qaeda attacking to US cities.
Growing up around the Farrakhan worshiping Jesse Jackson Sr renowned for his virulent anti-white rhetoric helps put some context into the reason why the Obamas clung like leaches to their racist pastor at Trinity for over twenty years.
New CNN Anchor Hails Jesse Jackson As 'Huge' Leader, 'Great One' Like Sen. Obama
| November 2, 2006 - 00:00 ET
Lemon (on camera): "Does Jesse Jackson still matter?"
Jackson: "They didn't say that. They asked that."
Lemon: "That's a question."
Jackson: "And the people answered."
Lemon: "Answered, and many came to his defense."
Camille Cosby, wife of Bill Cosby: "Of course he still matters. He has always mattered. You cannot eradicate all the wonderful work that he has done throughout his career."
Michelle Obama, wife of Sen. Barack Obama (D): "That's obvious. I mean, he is teaching us in everything he does and says. He still takes the kind of risks to say things that a lot of us can't. He's in a position to use his leverage and he does it every single time. I mean, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for Jesse Jackson. That's just a no-brainer."
Unidentified female: "That's true."
Lemon: "Even Michelle Obama's husband, Barack Obama agrees."
Sen. Barack Obama (D) Illinois: "Reverend Jackson continues to be one of the most powerful voices on behalf of the disaffected, the dispossessed. Wherever he goes, he makes news."
Later, co-anchor Heidi Collins asked Lemon: "How does he resonate with African-Americans across all demographics? I mean, if you had to sort of make a guess on, you know, for or against, they understand his thoughts today?"
Lemon answered: "That's a very good question, Heidi. It's a mixed bag. Mostly because of his history, because he is who he is and most African-Americans have suffered some form of racism at least once, a lot more in their lives, but at least once. So they do resonate with him and they do think that he has a message and a place. But not everybody's going to agree with you just because you're African- American doesn't mean you agree with everything that Jesse Jackson says or does. But for the most part he is an appreciated person in society, in America, and someone who most African-Americans, at least speaking for myself, think that he has made huge contributions, especially when it comes to civil rights."
In the 2 PM hour (Eastern), Lemon interviewed Michelle Obama, wife of Sen. Barack Obama, about Jesse Jackson:
Lemon: "What do you think of this guy? 65?"
Obama: "I love this man. I grew up in this man's house. I've seen it all."
Lemon: "What do you think of the comparisons to him and your husband?"
Obama: "You know, it's an honor. I mean to be compared -- he's done it, right?"
Lemon: "Right."
Obama: "We're just sort of learning."
Lemon: "Yes, any advice you think you'll ask him if he decides to run [for president] from this guy because he's done it."
Obama: "Well, we talk to him as much as we can, so a lot of it is just looking and listening and watching and making sure we're thinking and doing the right thing. But yes, we will be consulting with him and all the leaders in the community."
Lemon: "Are you ready to be First Lady?"
Obama: "No comment."
Lemon: "Where's Hubby tonight?"
Obama: "He's coming. He is flying in. His flight doesn't come in until late. My date is Santita Jackson."
Lemon: "Santita, get over here."
Obama: "Get over here."
Lemon: "Santita Jackson and Michelle Obama. Let me get you guys right here. Daughter of the great one who's turning 65. Wife of the great one now."
After this interview, anchor Kyra Phillips suggested: "Okay, she's sounding like a First Lady. She says no comment, but .."
Lemon pulled the praise out again: "Yes, well, the thing is, you don't hear a lot from her. She's a very smart woman, graduated from Princeton, sociology degree with honors and then went on to Harvard, got a law degree. So she is the woman behind the man. She's very smart. Very nice lady. And since we were there, we talked about it."
Phillips sounded a feminist note: "Maybe she should run for president. Barack Obama could be supporting her."
Lemon: "I don't know. But she's a very nice lady."
