Posted on 03/29/2005 2:48:53 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Rev. Jesse Jackson said Tuesday afternoon that he has persuaded two Florida state senators to change their votes on a bill to save Terri Schiavo, leaving the measure just one vote shy of the majority necessary for passage.
"Two of them have committed to meeting with Gov. Jeb Bush. They say that they're flexible if they can find acceptable emergency language," Jackson told ABC Radio host Sean Hannity.
Targeting members of the state senate's black caucus in a bid to save Schiavo, Jackson explained: "While we didn't have the specific language today, if I could just get them to shift their will to do whatever [we can] within the law to help her live, that would be a victory."
"They've made that commitment," the civil rights leader added. "I hope it turns into something concrete, signed by morningtime."
Asked if he thought he'd convert the additional vote that would guarantee passage, Jackson said: "If we get two - with the help of Gov. Jeb Bush, we can get three. . . If I was able to persuade two - if he could persuade one, we can change that vote."
The top Democrat said he had contacted the governor's office and was awaiting a return call, saying, "I hope that he will call me and I hope to share with him my position."
Jackson said he would return to Florida tomorrow if he determines it is "the best, most effective way" to save Schiavo.
"I will fly to Tallahassee or Washington or anyplace," he said.
Great! How soon can it happen? I am traveling away from home and can't keep up.
Pretty scary that Jesse Jackson is on the "right" side of the issues involving the case. Kind of makes you wonder.
This is driving me nuts. YOU DON'T NEED 3 VOTES TO CHANGE - DO THE MATH! Cripes - I've been yelling at my radio all afternoon. If the vote was 21-18, one person changing his vote makes it 20-19 - two people make it 19-20 - a win for the good guys. I e-mailed Sean.
Where were you a week ago when the bill failed by two votes, Jesse?
I'd have a little easier time taking "the Rev" more seriously had he not sat around silent for weeks while Terri starved. His tardiness to the party tends to make him look disingenuous.
Are these dem senators or republicans.... woe to the repubs if it turns out to be dems...
I'm with you. Why 13 days later?
The more I think about it, isn't it suspicious why Jesse waited so long... while Terri probably has at most... hours... if not minutes.
Well if Jesse can rescue Terri, I will praise him. Problem is she is near death, and all this seems like after the fact grandstanding.
Hey when you grandstand you have to know when to make your entrance!
I'll praise any help we can get for Terri at this point.
Have camera, will travel!
Who would have guessed that I would agree with the likes of Lanny Davis and Jesse Jackson
I thought the same thing, but he had a good explanation for it.
He orginally thought it was a family matter. The starving and Terri's treatment changed his mind and made him realize what is really at stake here.
He was very honest about it, IMO. He thought Terri was in a coma and that her parents were being selfish. He found out the truth. He came to help.
And Ralph Nader.
Don't kid yourself. Jackson is doing this for personal gain and for universal health care.
WHERE WAS HE ON DAY ONE WHEN THE FEEDING TUBES WERE REMOVED?
No defender here but just to give him the benefit of the doubt,if he was following this case by MSM or even CNN he would not have had a clue.
He said on Hannity that he thought it was a case of selfish parents not letting go of a comatose child.
Many news articles still refer to a coma....
The facts of this case are just starting to reach the consciousness of the public.
Even for most of us here, the facts were the same 2-3 years ago yet they did not get to the forefront.
Better late than never.
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