Posted on 03/29/2007 6:46:57 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
CHICAGO - Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said Thursday he's backing Democrat Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) 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, has already 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.
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Presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, speaks with the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Awards Breakfast in Chicago in this Jan. 15, 2007 file photo. On Thursday, March 29, 2007, Jackson said that Obama had his support on Election Day. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast-File)
So did Obama, "Kiss It"?
I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you.
Big surprise. I'm guessing the other candidates didn't pass his color test. What an overt racist.
No mention that Jesse Jackson is a racist, a theif, or an adulterer. The Culture of Corruption (TM) that Pelosi sells the American public knows no shame.
"No mention that Jesse Jackson is a racist, a theif, or an adulterer. The Culture of Corruption (TM) that Pelosi sells the American public knows no shame."
Jackson backing Obama means Obama would lose many votes from black Americans! :)
If hussein obama had an ounce of class or dignity, he wouldn't go within a hundred feet of Jackson.
Yep.......
Announcer: "...and now the EIB mics move outside of the Obama campaign headquarters, where the Rev. Al Sharpton is still calling (with the help of a 'street preacher's megaphone') for him to explain where he has been during the "struggle".
Announcer: "Let's listen in."
Sharpton: "Hey Obama! Your Mama is so fat...."
I wonder just exactly what this cost Obama?? You know Jesse don't come for free!! Does this just mean that Hillary lost the bidding war? She shouldn't have spent so much to buy the idiot in Iowa....
Any attempt at captioning will get me sent to rehab...
Surprise--surprise.
Does anyone really give a damn?
I guess they agreed on the right amount of money for jesse jackas* in order for him to get on board.
Je$$e? Hillary? Naaahh! ... He's just covering his bets and hoping to land one of his son in the WH, on Hussein's staff, Obama will try and find a place for him if elected, as a favor, of course ,maybe Congressional liaison or such is my hunch.. not sure if he ever stayed overnite at the WH before, probably did, as many times as Arafat, I bet
I don't see Hillary and Je$$e hugging much the last few years tho.. Where is the love? Oh man. Such a vicious game politicks be these days..
Po' Al is kicked to the curb.. again. lol
You had me going. I really thought there was a bug on my screen.
Well, there's the kiss of death
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