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

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.