Jackson Pushes Back: I've Never Advised Obama On Israel

Reverend Jesse Jackson claimed that his words were distorted by a biased reporter on Wednesday after it was reported that he had told a foreign audience that Barack Obama would decrease the influence of "Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades." For good measure, he added that he had no relationship with the Obama campaign and therefore couldn't possibly have been speaking on the Senator's behalf.

"The recent column in the New York Post by Amir Taheri in no way represents my views on Middle East peace and security," read a statement from his Rainbow/Push Coalition office. "The writer is selectively imposing his own point of view, and distorting mine... The slant of this writer's article is designed to incite fear and division. It must not be allowed to divert our focus away from the substantive and sensitive debate around the critical foreign policy and domestic economic issues in this critical region of the world."

To drive home the point, his office added the following: "Reverend Jackson is not a representative of Senator Obama. He has never had a conversation with Senator Obama about Israel or the Middle East, and was not characterizing Senator Obama's views on these issues."

In an article published this morning in the Post, Taheri asserted that at the first World Policy Forum, held in France this past week, Jackson said Obama would sharply change the United States relationship with Israel and role in the Middle East.

"The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where 'decades of putting Israel's interests first' would end," the Reverend reportedly said.

Within hours the Obama campaign had put out a statement reminding voters that the Senator has never equivocated in his support for Israel and did not count Jackson as an adviser. For good measure, reporters were reminded that the New York Post was not a friendly publication to Obama, that Taheri was considered a hostile writer to the Democrat, and that Jackson had once been caught threatening to castrate Obama during a hot mic moment.

In his own statement, Jackson clarified his position on Israel, saying he favored "a peaceful, non-violent resolution to co-existing with its Palestinian neighbors."

Comments

[Trueinthegame]

Jesse's presence was probably requested...I doubt that he actively sought out this opportunity to speak, as some of you suggested. He's a public figure. That's what public figures do. They speak at events. The "attention seeking" argument can only be used so much.

And the author of the article, Tehari, has a history of ethics issues. There were two articles that I read in regards to this situation. One with Tehari's spin, the other with a more clear representation of what happened. This was not an interview. Jesse was speaking at an event, and Tehari took a few quotes and added his own spin.

With that said, Jesse's probably been supporting Obama longer than many of you have. Is he not allowed to have disagreements with him every once in a while? He has defended and praised Obama on numerous occassions...even before Iowa. Does he need to grovel?

These theories that some of you have that he's actively trying to hurt Obama are ridiculous. He can't even breathe without you all going crazy.

I don't believe I've ever heard a Jesse naysayer thoroughly discuss what they hate so much about him. It's always "He's jealous" or "He's looking for attention" or "He's just mad because he's irrelevant". Get some new material.

[arvay]

This guy needs to be dealt with decisively -- this was a deliberate effort to screw up "Operation Big Schlep."

I'm sure he's violated the tax laws and probably committed many, many other improprieties that will provide lots of grist for the next administration's Justice department.

One benefit of squashing Jackson is that it will show whites who think that a black president will favor his "own race" that Obama is serious about equal justice for all. Going after this notorious race hustler will do quite nicely to make the point.

[arvay]

This guy needs a little visit from the FOI.

[XME]

Someone needs to lock him in a cellar until November 5th!!!

[LettuceB1]

I swear J Jackson and Rev Wrong are trying everything they can to mess it up for Obama. It's like they can't stand that time has moved on without them being the leader. I swear he said that stuff to purposefully misrepresent Obamas' position. Get over it (and get over yourself)!

Obama/ Biden 08

[Jacob77030]

Jackson is still an antisemite. Remember his "Hymietown" comment?

[columbia72]

Jesse is yesterday's news...had his 15 minutes and more. Jesse - please go away somewhere and leave Obama alone so he can win this thing.

[water57]

Jackson has nobody following him and listening to him other than his shadow. Jackson got off of the Obama bus when he want to do unwanted surgery on Obama. Jackson wants desperately to share spotlight with Obama.

[ILikeH00ters]

"Amir Taheri"

"Taheri was considered a hostile writer to the Democrat"

From the name, I can say this guy is of MUSLlM faith. McCain just told one of his "My Friends" on Friday that a MUSLlM man can't be a decent family man. Republicans don't hide their hatred towards MUSLlMS. In fact uttering the name "Hussein" brings out the worst in the republicans so much so that they want to KlLL a democratically elected senator. What a republican shill this guy is. He is like MlCHELLE MALKlN, whose parents are from one of the oriental countries, claiming to carry the water for the HlT squad republicans. They will tell her to go sit in the "colored" section in a heart beat if she happens to be in one of the southern states. Yet that dimwit MaIkln claims to be a staunch conservative.

[v6scotter]

Jesse, please shut up!

[water57]

Jackson can't shut up, because he is jealous. Its the crab in the barrel theory. Also, the other civil rights leaders of past are mad because they can not control Obama. Obama represents all Americans.

[superlive]

Obama doesn't represent me. Neither does McCain. Both are Corporate Establishment hacks and want to change the way America conducts business about as much as KFC wants to ban cholesterol.

Ralph Nader is a real "change" candidate -- hell, he's even Arab-American, how much more ethnically daring can a candidate get? This nation needs a Leftward Revolution, and that sell-out 50% White Dude patently refuses to lead it.

[ILikeH00ters]

"Amir Taheri"

"Taheri was considered a hostile writer to the Democrat"

From the name I can say the writer is of MUSLlM faith. After all the name callig from republicans

[renatam]

Let's hope the MSM gets its fill of this McCarthy-esque guilt-by-association (or same skin color/gender) tripe over the next 20 days -- so Americans can get back to our post-Repub-McCarthy-1950s revisit to this awfulness.

The MSM should IGNORE Jesse Jackson or anyone who says they speak for Senator Obama, and not automatically give credence to someone speaking simply because they say they do -- when everything we have seen/heard, including from Mr. Jackson's own son -- is HE DOES NOT.

[guitarman59]

WHY IS JESSE NEAR A MICROPHONE!!!

[jerryfromcalifornia]

Jesse Jackson is a complete A HOLE and should go away and stay there.

[Whatgoingon]

Can someone just lock this guy up in a basement until say Nov. 20th just to be safe

[guitarman59]

LOL!!!!!!! Now that's funny. You can never be too cautious.