Saturday, November 21, 2009

Opinion

Jesse Jackson's Barack Obama Lesson: His Time Has Passed

July 10, 2008 10:54 AM ET | John Mashek | Permanent Link | Print

Jesse Jackson has finally hit a wall in a long political career based primarily on his own ego.

Jackson has always enjoyed the limelight as the top African-American in the Democratic Party. He has been a force since his own runs for president in 1984 and 1988.

When TV cameras are around, Jackson has never been far away. Any skirmish with a racially tinged nature brought him to the scene.

Now he has lost the limelight to a younger generation and specifically to Sen. Barack Obama, the Democrats' presumptive candidate for president. Jackson must have been fuming, because he made nasty and crude remarks this week about Obama when a microphone was open.

Of all people, Jackson should have been aware that a mike is likely open during a public appearance.

Even Jackson's son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., was compelled to lash out at his father for the ugly incident. The elder Jackson issued a quick apology and Obama accepted it, but the damage was done.

Jesse Jackson has been in the forefront of the civil rights movement since he was an ally of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. However, his move into politics has been less than distinguished. But his time has passed.

Take a seat, Jesse.

Tags: presidential election 2008 | Barack Obama | Jesse Jackson

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Reader Comments

Jesse Jacksom

The comment from 'behind the scene' onveils the content of the heart - yes, whatever it is, Jesse Jackson has raised a serious point but under very unfortunate circumstances! Let Obama take it as a lesson. Jesse jackson cannot stop Obama - the comment rather benefitted Obama - at least, many more things on the Obama menu for the readers. It's almost certain that Obama is the next US president - let the black community have its place at of course a higher strata of the society with his presence in the white house-he is not a president for the blacks, but they should feel more accepted than ever before in the 'no man's land, where whites thrive'

Jesse is Jealous

Jesse Jackson is simply jealous that Obama surpassed him during his first run in this presidental election. Obama handles himself with grace, intergrity, and is true to himself. He is reason I am proud to be apart of this preseidential election. He is truly a leader and Jesse can not handle it. Jesse should he ashamed of himself and needs to go stand in the corner. Jesse your time is up. If you are not in Obama's corner, I can not see how you even stayed in the same room with MLK. He would be right on Obama's side. Jesse you are the weakest link, bye-bye.

N-word

Something more significant is the fact that Barack Obama doesn't place his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance. Now how can you say he's not anti-American?

If you need any more significant FACTS watch the video.

http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036

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About the Capital View Blog

John MashekJohn W. Mashek covered politics in Washington for four decades with U.S. News & World Report, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Boston Globe. His primary beats were Congress, the White House, and national politics. He covered every presidential election from 1960 to 1996. He was a panelist in three televised presidential debates in 1984, 1988, and 1992.

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