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

[S1m0n]

These kinds of claims follow Amir Taheri around; this is at least the third such accusation regarding a story written by Taheri, and at least one of those (the 'Iran is making jews wear yellow stars' hoax from a little while back) Taheri was manifestly making up false information.

I'm buying Jackson's denial.

[justobserve]

While the Repubs praised their empty-headed VP candidate, it seems some Dem. do their utmost to push down their presidential candidate.

[plknightb]

Who gave this guy a speaking part anyway.

[longislandlol]

Don't worry Jesse-- with friends like you in the white house-- he won't be needing enemies-- you seem out of touch-- is it sour grapes cause you didn't become the 1st black pres?

[myangeldog1]

What the h e l l.

[SFkid]

Peace in the middle east. Israel shouldn't be the be all and end all in the region.

[Rog49Thomas]

It's easy to tell when your time on the public stage is over.

When you do damage at just the wrong time.

Time for two month vacation in the Bahamas.

[huffyjive]

KEEP TALKING JESSE...KE­EP TALKING!!!!

[renatam]

Jesse, shut up. Nobody CARES what you think and, stop carrying the Clinton's water. Thank you.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081015/pl_politico/14599&printer=1;_ylt=ArDp3_nlw_bp6oAcJuRZ89LCw5R4

McCain talks economy with Hillary Glenn Thrush
53 minutes ago



On Sept. 24, Hillary Rodham Clinton received a surprise phone call from the man she"s often denounced as an economic know-nothing: John McCain.

This was no social call, even though Clinton likes McCain enough to keeps his photo on the wall of her Senate office. The GOP nominee had already chatted with Bill Clinton about the mortgage crisis and wanted to pick the senator"s brain about her new proposal to have the federal government buy up bad mortgages and renegotiate terms more favorable to homeowners on verge of default.

"McCain said he had been motivated by it, he was very complimentary about what she had proposed and wanted to know more," said a person with knowledge of the call.

[SCTroublemaker]

Ugh! I growing tired of seeing campaigns (either Obama's or McCain's) having to respond to any questionable or controversial comment made by any national figure. Its getting old.

[veisalgia]

Expect Blows from all angles in the next weeks.....

[robXdion]

Jesse needs to shut up and have the self-knowledge to know people don't like him and will use his words against Obama. The man's understanding of race and politics is still on a child's level. He should know better, unless. . . . .he just doesn't know what he represents.

[Buddhabman]

Jessie has made plenty of political and personal mistakes but your comments are way out of line and bordering on bigotted. Rev. Jackson has made an important impact on this nation and the dialouge on race in politics. He ahas also always been a leader in socail & economic justice. Barack Obama stands upon his shoulders.

[robXdion]

I am a black man and very knowledgeable of racial history and Jesse Jackson. I even shook his hand as a 10 yr old in a southern ghetto. And I'm one of the biggest defenders of Jackson on these boards. Look in my profile of comments. The "child" comment fits because the man has no grasp of his own negative effect and no respect for the racial balance Obama has to strike to win. He only sees the legend he used to be. So before you label me as "out of line" you might want to ask for clarification or ask around about robXdion.

[bygollymissmolly]

"The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where 'decades of putting Israel's interests first' would end," the Reverend reportedly said.
----------­----------­-------
I don't know. That sounds pretty good for me. I see our relationship with Israel as a one way street, we give they take and return nothing back.

And they are not on the verge of taking is somewhere no one in this country wants to go and that is to a war with Iran.

I say if Israel bombs Iran, unprovoked, let them suffer the consequences.

[TotobiAyokoh23]

Jesse, just keep quite, go to the inner sanctum of your home, play some video games, and emerge from the hibernation after the elections, pleeeeeease.

[kissmygrits]

The fact that Taheri, who is a fiction writer who is regularly debunked, is even allowed to be a reporter, is purely b/c Murdoch wants Mc'Shame to win. Taheri's debunking: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Amir_Taheri

[SeekerOne]

Thanks for the link.