Bill Clinton: Obama Is Just Like Jesse Jackson

ABC News:

Said Bill Clinton today in Columbia, SC: "Jesse Jackson won South Carolina in '84 and '88. Jackson ran a good campaign. And Obama ran a good campaign here."

This was in response to a question about Obama saying it "took two people to beat him." Jackson had not been mentioned.

Boy, I can't understand why anyone would think the Clintons are running a race-baiting campaign to paint Obama as "the black candidate."

Read the whole story: ABC News

Comments

[wijg]

Please, let's be clear/fair, Clinton did not say "Obama is just like Jesse Jackson," he said "Jesse Jackson won South Carolina in '84 and '88. Jackson ran a good campaign. And Obama ran a good campaign here."

I can fully understand how people feel that Bill Clinton is inserting race into the atmosphere, but let's look at this objectively, is his comparison something we should find objectionable, and if so, why?

If you're upset with this, shouldn't some of your anger be directed at Jake Tapper, ABC News and the headline they chose to use?

[SJH]

Wow. I had been trying to give ex-Pres. Clinton the benefit of the doubt, but THAT is truly an inappropriate comment. But keep it up, Bill. As an Obama supporter, I'm beginning to think that the more this becomes a "Re-elect Bill Clinton to His Third Term" campaign, the better Obama's chances are. And Bill & Hillary had just better, for the country's sake, be good sports about the campaign and not get nasty with it.

[petuniafish]

Please listen to what this arrogant bigot and his spouse are saying, California....and anyone else voting 2/5/08.
I used to believe BC and HRC fought for goodness and truth. Now he is nakedly, unashamedly race baiting.
He'll do anything to to be first lady.

[poorotis]

Listen to me now. Bill has gone off the rails. His craven desire for power blinds him to the truth that there has been a sea change in American politics where there are actually more substantive issues than race these days. (The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and this horribly, horribly structured economy-to give name to a few.) He's completely off-key of late. It's scary in a way, acting so un-presidential and unable to keep his mouth shut.
He isn't acting statesman like, but that's coming from a naif I guess.

[Roshi98]

Hillary is doing something very interesting tonight. She just finished a 15 minute prepared speech, and is now taking questions from the audience, discussing her platform and ideals.

I can't remember any other candidate who's ever done this - it definitely represents a change in the campaign. I've said it before. What distinguishes Hillary from all other candidates is that, one-on-one, she is remarkably engaging, smart, and presidential. I've been to three of her town hall meetings and I've always left feeling not just good, but that I've learned something new.

[illinoisan]

One of the worst aspects of this race-baiting by the Clintons is the notion that Hispanics will eat it up and give them California.

[illinoisan]

What a disgusting pos. Both of them remind me of my ex.

[snruB]

Screw you Bill Clinton!

[Tsunami]

According to an e-mail going around, this is the web page for the church Barack Obama belongs to: www.tucc.org/about.htm
Trinity United Church of Christ. Chicago, IL
Check out info on it...Can the Dems win with this out there?

[cambio]

Seriously, I'm tired of the Clinton supporters pleading innocence here...it has been obvious for weeks to anyone paying attention that the Clintons have been race-baiting, and obviously the African American community took notice. However, now, it is impossible to overlook in all honesty the fact that they have been playing this entire time to throw away SC and try to frame Obama as a Jesse Jackson-type racial figure...I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for them to actually say Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, and finally he did it. I've been reading the Clintons and their dirty tricks like a book, and he just proved everything. Shameless.

[nellie]

Now I can say it. Clinton is making racist statements. There is nothing other than ethnicity to connect Obama to Jackson. I didn't believe it when others said "racist," but now I do.

Not only are the Clintons doing their utmost to characterize Obama as "the Black candidate," now they are trying to depict him as a very divisive figure as well.

I'm very disappointed.

[Ginzaman]

Also, what he won't remind you of. Many Democrats also said that Jackson was a pain-in-the-ass and had no chance of getting elected.

[teahead]

Barack Obama is like Jesse Jackson

is like

Bill Clinton is like David Duke.

[brwnizofmine]

Thank you Iowa, and congratulations S.C., for not letting race stand in the way of a brighter future! Whites and blacks did it together, "Yes We Can!" God Bless You!

[OddManOut]

Is it me or does it seem like the media are "race-baiting"? Now that Obama has clearly won SC, will we hear the pundits and media proclaim that the victory was simply due to the turnout of African Americans? The media really sucks sometimes.