Jesse Jackson Disparages Barack Obama: Caught On Tape (VIDEO)

** UPDATES BELOW: OBAMA STATEMENT, VIDEO **

CNN reports:

The Rev. Jesse Jackson issued an apology to Barack Obama Wednesday for making what he called a "crude and hurtful" remark about the Illinois senator's recent comments directed toward some members of the black community.

According to Jackson, a Fox News microphone picked up comments he meant to deliver privately that seemed to disparage the presumptive Democratic nominee for appearing to lecture the black community on morality.

Jackson didn't elaborate on the context of his remarks, except to say he was trying to explain that Obama was hurting his relationship with black voters by recently conducting "moral" lectures at African-American churches.

Jackson's apology came a few hours before Fox News planned to air the remarks.

Speaking to CNN Wednesday, Jackson said he feels "very distressed" over the comments.

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"This is a sound bite in a broader conversation about urban policy and racial disparities. I feel very distressed because I'm supportive of this campaign and with the senator, what he has done and is doing," he said. "I said he comes down as speaking down to black people. The moral message must be a much broader message. What we need really is racial justice and urban policy and jobs and health care. That's a range of issues on the menu.

"Then I said something I regret was crude. It was very private. And very much a sound bite," he also said.

More details from Clarence Page on The Swamp:

Well, Swamp fans, as Jackson explained to me by telephone, his remarks occurred during an off-air moment during a Fox New Channel interview that aired Sunday.

Jackson didn't realize that the mics were still "hot," as in turned on and recording when he made a few off-the-cuff remarks about Obama's faith-based programs.

Bill O'Reilly has the story and plans to report it on his Fox program, "The O'Reilly Factor" tonight.

Even though O'Reilly has booked me and another guest to respond to the video, he is withholding a full transcript or recording of Jackson's remarks even from me until the program airs.

So far I have only been told by a producer that Jackson criticizes Obama's proposed faith-based programs for "talking down to black people."

And (A warning here to younger or more sensitive readers) Jackson also says something about how the senator was "going to get his (twin objects of male anatomy) cut off."

Jackson, who recalled his remark as, "The senator is cutting off his you-know-what with black people," expressed deep regrets for saying it, even in what he thought was a "private conversation."

"I want to be clear," Jackson said. "My support for Barack Obama is unequivocal. I apologize to Barack and the Obama campaign for my crude and hurtful comments."

Update: Video of Jesse Jackson's remark:

Jackson apologized for his statement on CNN:

Update: A statement from the Obama campaign: "As someone who grew up without a father in the home, Senator Obama has spoken and written for many years about the issue of parental responsibility, including the importance of fathers participating in their children's lives. He also discusses our responsibility as a society to provide jobs, justice, and opportunity for all. He will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other, and he of course accepts Reverend Jackson's apology," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

And a very harsh statement from Jackson's son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.:

I'm deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson's reckless statements about Senator Barack Obama. His divisive and demeaning comments about the presumptive Democratic nominee -- and I believe the next president of the United States -- contradict his inspiring and courageous career.

Instead of tearing others down, Barack Obama wants to build the country up and bring people together so that we can move forward, together -- as one nation. The remarks like those uttered on Fox by Reverend Jackson do not advance the campaign's cause of building a more perfect Union.

Reverend Jackson is my dad and I'll always love him. He should know how hard that I've worked for the last year and a half as a national co-chair of Barack Obama's presidential campaign. So, I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself.

Comments

[IowaKid]

What a distraction. See how easy it is........ What does this have to do with our sad state of the economy? Oh that's right americans are whinners. You should be glad your paying $4 a gallon for gas.

[steamboat]

OK, but don't tell us later how great Europe is, like alot of people on this blog do. That we should be like them.

America 5.5% unemployment, most European nations (including Germany) double-digits unemployment.


America $4.06 a gal. gas.......Britain $8.31, France $8.48, Germany $8.75, Italy $8.65, Netherlands $9.54

[VinnieTheSnake]

Venezuela $0.28

[paganmist]

A mere 30 years after the first anti-discrimination laws and something resembling real equality, we blacks need to hear from our leaders about personal responsibility. We need more than firebrands to do it, more than Sunday sermons. We need men (and women!) who can show us how to truly integrate into (and leave a more positive mark on) American society - how to keep our cultural heritage and yet be mainstream at the same time. And we need more than modern day minstrels and preacher-like activists to lead the way.

I feel for people of my color. It's tough. We've got issues within and without. Families on welfare and in jail. Too black or not black enough. Low self-esteem, promiscuity and teen pregnancy, self-loathing and abused mentality that leads us as a "community" to do destructive things to ourselves and to each other, starting from parenting our children the way we once, as slaves, were whipped. We've got issues that only some real good therapy can take care of, things that are rooted in us from centuries ago, that those slaves taught their children, who taught their children, ad infinitum. We've got issues.

(cont.)

[paganmist]

(cont.)

But too many of us are letting those issues define us and provide convenient excuses for not even trying to get ahead in a country that, while by no means perfect, is a million times better towards us than it's ever been.

So while we do need Jesse Jacksons to point out the still-present inequities, we need Barack Obamas to focus on the advances we HAVE made, the advantages we DO have. How to exist outside of our cultural/racial boxes and comfort zones, how to care about ourselves, our lives, and our environments in a way that's larger than skin color.

How to stop expecting to be repaid for the harms that were caused us, how to accept the still-valid pains but move on at the same time and grasp the opportunity that's there - and to carve out new opportunity. And maybe even how to remember our struggle and, once we're successful, give back to people who face the same unique issues.

These two men together could be so good for blacks. I hope they figure out a way to work this out.

[steamboat]

Just nosey, why do YOU need Jesse Jackson to tell you? Why are you so under the influence of a jet-setting, hypocrite, poverty-pimp? There out there. Just don't quit and give-up the first time there's a speed-bump in the way. I also wish that white kid in the hills of West Virginia and Native-American on the South Dakota reservation had the same opportunities you have.

[westcoastsc]

Don't forget that the problems of the black community are the same of the general society, just worse. The main problem is our educational system, especially in urban areas. The country is not getting an education. Education prevents people from becoming as addicted to drugs as often as someone without an education. An education makes people have more choices as to what jobs they can have. An education allows people to follow politics better, take care of their children better, eat better, and even live longer. The jobs that are being made for the majority of Americans are not innovative and are not in the best interest of this country. Do we really need any more homes built during this energy crisis? We have to import people to be our engineers and doctors. This cannot be good for the country.

[mandalaina]

Let's review, shall we?

How credible a "slip" was it?

1) Jackson, who's been in the media spotlight for decades, doesnt consider that his mic may be "hot" when making that harsh a desparaging statement? That 2) that mic happened to belong to the very people who have used racist terms, created vile and disgusting rumors and made horrendous insinuations about the person the speaker was referring to and 3) Rather than bring people together, the speaker then proceeds to further polarize the community.

Who are we kidding? The man knew exactly what he was doing, to whom he was speaking, and the effect (he hoped) it would have on the election. It would appear that Jesse Jackson isn't really interested in change. I wonder why he isn't interested in moving forward? How does he benefit in not trying something new? Could it be that he wants change, but only on "his" terms and under "his" direction?

Is it that if he can't effect change, he's going to see to it that no one else can?

By the way, I don't buy for one moment that Obama was "talking down" to anyone. It's now Obama's turn to work for change, and much as he may not want to, Jackson is going to have to move over and share the spotlight. Is it that he is afraid Obama will succeed where he, Jackson, could not?

[Kassandra]

Well, the fact he was at a Fixed Noise event should at the very least alerted him to the possibility of sabotage and spying. The guy's no naif, for sure.

[westcoastsc]

This, like Reverend Wright, will only help Obama in the long run.

[DevilAdvocate]

I have to agree, I find it odd, that he's on FOX of all places and not knowing the mic is on....perhaps that's why Obama is looking like this as... Please.....and moving on important things that affect the whole US of A.

[javagirl322]

Jesse is jealous.....

[Fudgefase]

I don't think 'disparages' really comes into it.
We have now heard publicly, the following ideas used in connection with the Obamas; lynching, assassination, castration and 'babymama'.

America - the guy has dark skin.
Get over it.

[GravitonX]

We'll allow one or two "public" offenses for Obama talking down to Black people. White people love it; nothing better than a Black man on stage blaming the issues that confront Black people, well, on Black people. We know it's the only way he'll get white votes, and he needs white votes to become President and help out the community, since no white President will ever do it. But, if he continues, it'll be time to call him home and continue the eternal struggle for justice.

[Aesthete]

Issues of morality and responsibility have no color. Being black does not absolve one of bad behavioral choices. Ditto for whites or any other ethnicity. Anyone who is intelligent enough to reason should not blame others for their own poor choices.

[paganmist]

That's the thing. I'm black. I realize the problems that face and have faced me as a black person.

I also realize that far too many of us are letting these problems define our entire lives, when we don't have to any more. We don't have enough rolemodels showing us that we can be more despite our problems. Instead, we have unrealistic dreams about celebrite, instead of more people showing us the very real, fulfilling, successful ways that we *can* achieve the American dream. Things that too many of us keep thinking is "just for white folk" and aren't going out and doing.

I don't think it's talking down to blacks, to tell us to take control of our lives and let go of the victim mentality. I think that many whites (and some blacks) say those words to blacks, and they ARE talking down - they're not considering at all the very valid reasons that we have to be the way we are. But where those good reasons end, personal responsibility begins.

Someone needs to say that, and not be seen as a sell-out for doing so. Preferably it is, in fact, a black person who genuinely cares, and not a black person who has actually "sold out". Sometimes it's hard to tell the two apart.

[Verified]

Jesse Jackson's recent work really hasn't done much to help the situation of young Black men in prison. Being poor doesn't mean one has to be a criminal. We are struggling with a complicated institutional problem. But it is also time for more men to start taking responsibility for parenting and for more women to expect committed relationships before consenting to pregnancy. It's perpetual childhood and dependency to do otherwise. How many of those imprisoned men had strong moral fathers in their lives? Precious few, I'd bet. We disempower ourselves when we tolerate blatantly immoral behavior and make excuses for it.

[swoosie1]

Sounds like the big fix is on...Jesse's son is the campaign guy for Obama. To distance himself from the negative parts of the Rev. Wright situation, he does the big speech and then they time the so-called whispered negative remarks by Jesse so that they can be recorded and understood. Presto! Obama cleans off any residual negative vibes from the radical past politicos, like Jackson and Sharpton. Sounds too clean and neat to me...with timing that was impeccable, and of course, even I could actually understand Jesse Jackson this time, which never happens, because his diction is so difficult to understand usually on TV. So tell me, this sounds faked and convienient. Man, this Obama guy is really, really good. Under the bus Jesse, or more likely, Dad, please take one for Obama and fall on your sword.

[doctorwang]

If that's the case, it was brilliantly executed.....and it was done on Fox no less!

[demlover1]

The strangest thing about this story is Jesse Jackson Jr's weird statement about his father. Who refers to their father by their full name? Why does Jesse Jackson Jr. keep calling him Rev. Jackson over and over in his statement instead of my father. It's like their not even related. Most people would say they are disappointed in their father's comments and then accept their father's apology and move on. They wouldn't throw them under the bus like that. It reminded me of when Sen. Obama kind of threw his grandmother under the bus in his first speech where he said he couldn't disown Rev. Wright (before of course he did disown him). Jesse Jackson Jr. seems in this statement to have more allegiance to Sen. Obama, who he's known for a much shorter time than his own father. It's very odd.
Yes, what Jesse Jackson said was stupid, but he apparently didn't know he was being recorded. He was saying something he thought was in private to someone else. Lots of people say stupid stuff privately all the time (some of it they don't even really mean). And they wouldn't enjoy being recorded all the time. He apologized, so why not let it go. If Rev. Jackson had said this stuff in public speech or interview I would feel differently, but it was clearly not intended for public consumption.
The media has to stop blowing up every silly comment surrogates of candidates make and focus on the bigger issues.

[dgscol]

This was not Jesse, but Jess's double. Did you notice how thy talked differently? Nonetheless Jesse continues to take the responsibility for what his buddies do. If they could only behave themselves, Jesse would be doing a lot better.

[AzRealProgressive]

His double? You mean there are two or more Jesse Jackson's around?

What other bad deeds have his doubles done in his name ?

[doctorwang]

FYI - There's a lot of Jesse Jackson doubles around. Most of them play the smaller clubs in Vegas.............

[Fudgefase]

Please don't tell me you're being serious?

[steamboat]

WOW.........and he's allowed to vote.

[init]

What makes Obama so interesting? Anyone who has the audacity to challenge him (especially morally) comes out the lesser.

[yallerdog]

White People must be absolutely thrilled over Obama now. Now they can attack Jesse Jackson with impunity, without embarrassment, without risk. No longer do they have to look pensively at Fox News and right wingers attack Jackson. Now White People can trash him too! After first painting the Clintons as racists now they can paint Jesse as uh, racist??? I saw it on the Obama station, err, I mean MSNBC this morning. Just roiling and bashing Jesse. And the posts on this thread!!! Wow. I mean why is it any metaphor uttered by an Obama critic is immediately taken as a physcial threat. Oh brother!

[jeanrenoir]

Face it: the Jesse Jackson game if over. Thank God. Obama has indeed driven a stake through his jive-talking heart. So naturally, the has-been Jackson hates Obama as much as the has-been Bill Clinton does. Obama's made them both look both bad and passe. It's a great thing that both Jackson and Clinton have exposed what egomaniacal jerks they've both always been with their sputtering rage directed at Obama. It's not racist for whites, or blacks, to attack Jesse Jackson for his obvious egomania and self-serving selling of nothing but victimhood to American blacks for forty years. Meanwhile, people like Michelle and Barack Obama have studied hard, overcome whatever they needed to overcome, and been helped with white scholarships to succeed at Princeton, Harvard, and soon, we hope, in the White House which the rabble-rouser Jackson no more deserved than any other demagogue. King's dream is about to come true as America is about to judge Obama, and elect him to the White House, on the content of his character, the same reason America rejected Jackson in his quest for the same thing.

[StephenJK]

Are you trying to say something or just running your mouth?

I don't get any point of your post. It's just a bunch of self-righteous ranting with no point.

And if America would have judged Obama on the content of his character and not the color of his skin, we'd have the prospect of another Clinton in the White House.

[genseric13]

I did notice that almost everyone in the media was saying the same thing; that supposedly Jackson was mad because BO had eclipsed him. That's bull. He's mad because BO has backtracked on every single important issue in the campaign. Jackson knows BO is bought and paid for. That's why he's mad.

[doctorwang]

Wow- so you know Jesse Jackson!! Can you get me his autograph?

[DanniD]

Oh please! Rev. Jesse Jackson is about as relevant as what I ate for dinner two weeks ago!

He hasn't been relevant in the Black community since his adultery scandal broke and the majority of Black Pastors gave him a pass. He's been following Rev. Al like a shadow trying to maintain some form relevance then along came Senator Barack Obama, squishing even that.

So yeah, I'm one of the people that think he knew what he was doing, knew what he was saying, was aiming for controversy!

[LINY516]

You're right.
How can he be angry that Obama eclispsed him?
Jackson's son has eclipsed him. Jackson has supported many young politicians who for all purposes have eclipsed him.

Most in the media are shallow and mindless and couldn't create an original thought if their lives depended on it.

I've become vocal about his stance. Apparently, many are disgusted because his fundraising is not as strong as it was in the primaries. If he keeps alientating people, he'll have to get his money from lobbyist, and those people he's trying to woo so hard. I know he want get a penny from him now on.

[steamboat]

Yellowdog, I'm consistent. I've known Jackson was a hypocrite for a long time. Ever since his 'racist' hymietown remarks..Ever since he snitched to ICE on those mexican workers cleaning-up New Orleans. Ever since his PUSH organization would NOT help 17 African-American workers at the plant I WORKED AT (Commonwealth Edison--State Line) because the company gave him (PUSH) a donation for staying out. This is only the latest.

[darthmaul]

Talk about poor judgment. Going into Fox for anyone with a liberal perspective is like walking into the Lions Den. You should assume that Microphones are always on, and that Fox will do anything.

[CitizenInformed]

Well said...that's exactly what I was thinking.

[HopeObama08]

LOOK WHO'S TALKING!

[MikeLicht]

What Was Jesse thinking? Well, who was he talking to?

See

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/no-dead-mics-on-fox/