Jul 13, 2008 8:44 am US/Pacific
Jackson Addresses Inflammatory Obama Comment
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Demonstrators angry over Rev. Jesse Jackson's comments about Barack
Obama got a personal response from the reverend himself this weekend as they protested outside
Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Chicago.
"Locker room trash talk has no place in public parlors – there's no doubt about that," Jackson told the crowd of demonstrators.
The arrival of community activists at Rainbow PUSH has the Rev. Jesse Jackson still explaining the off-air comment he made about Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama several days ago.
Without realizing he was being recorded, Jackson said in a whisper, "SEE, BARACK BEEN, UM, TALKING DOWN TO BLACK PEOPLE, ON THIS FAITH BASED, I WANNA CUT HIS N...TS OFF. BARACK, HE'S TALKING DOWN TO BLACK PEOPLE."
Rev. Jackson says his support for Obama is wide, deep and unequivocal.
"When I made my statement of contrition and Sen. Barack Obama accepted it, that killed that part of the issue," Jackson said. "Our relationship is intact, because it's a longstanding one."
Still, a small group remained outside the Rainbow PUSH headquarters for the duration of Jackson's visit.
"He, historically, has always done divisive things in the Black community," said Harold Davis of AMER-I-CAN. "We're on the verge of history changing, with the possibility of Barack Obama becoming President of America."
There were differing opinions on the issue.
"It was maybe a statement that perhaps was a personal thought that could have been said in another location," said Dedra Williams of Chicago.
"I support the Rev. Jackson and his work," said Rainbow PUSH member Howard Roberson. "He's been doing this for 43 years and he has a track record like no one else."
When Rev. Jackson was asked if he felt his comment hurt Obama's run, he said, "it's probably helped his campaign."
He ended his response to the controversy, with this message – following what he called "a little media frenzy."
"I accept the media doing what it does, you guys got to eat too," Jackson said. "But please do it at someone else's expense, please. Give me a break."
And with that, Rev. Jackson said he hopes this story will now, be put to rest.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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