Jesse Jackson Jr. weighs in on the Dean/Sharpton fight

[WilliamPitt]

Jackson Urges Democrats to Accentuate the Positive

Calls On All Democrats To Reject Racial Rhetoric

Congressman Jesse L. Jackson
t r u t h o u t | Statement

Tuesday 28 October 2003

http://truthout.org/docs_03/103003E.shtml

Congressman Jesse L. Jackson today said, "Al Sharpton is making a great contribution to the Democratic Party with his performances in the debates, his inspirational speeches on the campaign trail, his raising of the political consciousness of voters on issues that many of the other candidates will not touch, and by bringing new voters into the process.

"But no contribution of the Rev. Al Sharpton has been greater than the role he has played of statesman in the debates - of urging fellow competitors to `first do not harm' to one another. It was Al Sharpton who said in the first debate in South Carolina, televised by ABC, that the 'Democrats should not have a debate and George Bush turn out to be the winner.' He has constantly reminded his fellow Democratic presidential candidates that the goal is to defeat President Bush in November, 2004. He has also said that while he understands there will be competition between each of them, none of them should do any harm to the other candidates that would prevent them from defeating George Bush.

"Unfortunately, Rev. Sharpton has rejected his own advice. The spirit of Rev. Sharpton's release in that regard is over-the-top and mostly inaccurate. Rev. Sharpton is inaccurate when he says that Howard Dean is `opposed to affirmative action.' Even the 1995 quote he attributes to Gov. Dean is not a statement 'opposed' to affirmative action, but an argument for a broader criteria. More importantly, during this campaign Governor Dean has clearly stated for the record that he supports affirmative action based on race, gender and class - which is what the law requires.

"Whoever the ultimate nominee of the Democratic Party is I intend to support - and I will not agree with them on every issue. Gov. Dean and I may just have to agree to disagree on the death penalty. However, I would remind Rev. Sharpton that both he and I supported Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996 even though he supported the death penalty and ending welfare as we know it - both of which we disagreed with.

...more...

[mzmolly]

1. Thanks for posting this...

:thumbsup:

[preocupied]

2. Excellent stuff!!!!!

Thank you JJJ!

[AP]

3. It looks like...

...a consistently liberal position on race over the last 10 years, backed by smart comments about race in this campaign is one of the things Jackson's going to have to agree to disagre about with Dean.

[WilliamPitt]

6. Clarify that?

[AP]

14. Jackson says...

...that Dean isn't against AA, notwithstanding what he said in '95 (during a time when this -- whether we should stop using race as a criteria to address racism -- was a big issue).

Then he reminds us that there will no candidate with whom he will agree 100%. He means to say that as a reminder to Sharpton (I think -- going on memory here).

I'm saying that you could throw in the idea that Dean undermined Democrats arguing that race should be a consideration in addressing racism in '95 as one of the things Jackson might be disregarding if he's going to support Dean.

I'll reread Jackson's statement now to make sure I'm not way off base.

[Eloriel]

9. That's ridiculous

I saw him in Atlanta in August. Dean spoke eloquently, movingly, and quite bluntly about race and racial issues in his stump speech, just as he promised he would when he came to the South. I was =moved to tears by his remarks.

He has many black supporters here in Georgia. I had lunch with one today. And he'll have many more because there IS no racism, there IS no "anti-black" agenda on Dean's part. And he's been clear and open about that from the beginning. And quite a few more, elected officials, helped introduce him that day in August.

Once again, those of you who would speak against him have to literally make up shit.

Eloriel

[Rose Siding]

4. "Dean/Sharpton fight"?

Did Dean engage in this one?

[WilliamPitt]

5. Semantics?

Would 'Sharpton/Dean' be better?

[Rose Siding]

8. No

Sharpton calling Dean anti-black is an attack, rather than a fight between the two.

[WilliamPitt]

10. Fair enough

[Tatiana]

7. Savvy.

Jesse Jackson Jr. is a very savvy politician and that was a classy statement. He really has a bright future.

[Cha]

11. I heard Jesse Jackson Jr. speak on tv

before the Iraqi Invasion and was really impressed with his
eloquence and the way he can articulate his thoughts.

[JaneQPublic]

13. Jesse Jr. is a rising star in the Democratic Party

A U.S. Rep from Chicago since the mid 90's.

Very well spoken and very intelligent.

[AP]

15. Yeah, those Jacksons sure are "articulate"

WTF?

[JaneQPublic]

17. So, what's your point? (n/t)

[AP]

18. Comments on how surprisingly articulate black people are...

...always makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

[Tatiana]

19. Don't think the poster was speaking from a racial standpoint.

I think he/she was just impressed that one of our Congressmen PERIOD actually advocated the progressive POV in an articulate manner.

[AP]

20. I love Schumer, Leahy, Cliton's way of 'articulating" their policies, but

I don't think I've ever said, "hey, aren't the people articulate!" It just wouldn't even cross my mind. They're politicians. Of course they're articulate. If they couldn't talk, I don't see how they could ever win a campaign (unless their dads helped them get the job -- and I'm talking about Bush, not Jackson).

[Tatiana]

21. Honestly...

I've always commented on how articulate a President Clinton was. Especially compared to the Resident currently occupying the office.

Take it easy. It was meant as a compliment (I assume).

[JaneQPublic]

31. And neither did anyone here

zidzi commented on the way Jesse Jr. could "articulate his thoughts." --i.e., "articulate" as a verb, meaning to state or to express.

No one here has characterized Jesse Jr. as you used the word "articulate" -- as an adjective, meaning eloquent.

[JackSwift]

25. I attended the 2000 national convention

And I still remark at how articulate Jesse Jackson (senior) was and is. I make note of saying that he spoke without notes or teleprompter and gave the best speech of the entire convention. You gotta problem with that? I also note how poor a public speaker GW Bush is. Neither opinion is even slightly racist. Jesse Jackson is the best public speaker of his generation. George Bush one of the worst.

[JaneQPublic]

28. No one said "surprisingly" but you

If your hair is standing up, you're reading things into the statement that was not said or implied.

[jobycom]

41. I agree with that, but I didn't get that feel from the above post

I didn't get the racial note to that comment, AP, though I usually react just as you did to such statements.

Still, I try to avoid using "articulate" for that reason. Odd how it has the connotation it does, but there's no denying it.

[Ellen Forradalom]

12. Yes, I'm proud to call him my Congressman.

I also thought the statement shows he's a class act.

[Capn Sunshine]

16. We need Sharpton in the race

I mean, , Gov. Dean must be able to defend himself against this before the general election. But further,Sharpton is putting a line in the sand out there to stir up the conversation if you ask me. I think Sharpton is much sharper than I used to think. This position he refers to is of course groundless but the underlying issue is Sharptons attempt to move the tiller towards his protection of the racial ingredient of the intent of affirmative action.

True, most poor are minorities in our existing social structure. But I can only gues Sharpton;s view here is that people of color in this country have had the deck stacked against them for so long that economic background should not be the only criteria for affirmative action. So he is reminding all that his view here is to never give up an inch of that hard won progress.

That seems fair enough to me. But it won't lead anywhere unless Rove thinks it should. Maybe that Jeff guy can check that out for us.

[Skwmom]

22. Maybe Jackson calling Dean a "straight-shooter"

was a little to much for Sharpton to take. This painting Dean as a "straight-shooter" is a joke and is making me realize that the two parties really have a lot more in common than some people on this board would like to think.

[Evanstondem]

23. Thanks for the plea for sanity

Here's a link to another response to Sharpton's attack, from Congressman Major R. Owens of New York.

"And no one should go forth with the mistaken assumption that the vital issue of war and peace is not important to the African American constituency. When the Congressional Black Caucus members overwhelmingly voted against the waste of 87 billion dollars in Iraq, they were expressing the will of the people in our neighborhoods who insist that our needs be met here at home first. Our people, our rank and file is already with Howard Dean. Black leaders must run to catch up..."

http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/002032.html#more

[AP]

24. Huh? Dean was FOR the $87 Bil.

I am totally confused by Rep Jackson and Rep Owens. Totally confused.

[batman]

26. No he wasn't read it again.

"When the Congressional Black Caucus members overwhelmingly voted against the waste of 87 billion dollars in Iraq, they were expressing the will of the people in our neighborhoods who insist that our needs be met here at home first."

[AP]

30. That's what Owens said, not Dean.

Right? Am I missing something here.

[Evanstondem]

44. Dean is for the $87 billion coming from the tax cuts for the rich

In theory, that can free up $87 billion for other purposes, like helping people who aren't rich.

It seems that two African-American Congressmen who, unlike you, have spent time talking with Dean, have decided that he's the best candidate to support. What don't you understand about that?

[AP]

46. If you've read this whole thread

You'll see how I'm confused by the statements that both Jackson and Owen made in "support" of Dean. Owen cites teh 87 Bil as a litmus test, yet Dean didn't say that he was against tt, as Kerry, Edwards and Kucinich (and others?) did. Jackson basically says, "well, he's not saying we should get rid of AA" and that nobody is going to be 100% on the same page, which is funny coming from a guy you'd think would be making race an important criteria for his endorsement.

It begs the question, what is Jackson's criteria for backing Dean? That he thinks he has the best chance of winning and wants to get on the train early? Welll, lots of sensible Dems, and most Republicans think Dean's going to have the hardest time beating Bush.

[WilliamPitt]

27. Where do you get that?

[AP]

29. From the second last debate.

They went around and asked who was for/against 87 Bil, and Dean said he was for it because we can't strand our soldiers. Am I wrong about this? It's been referenced dozens of times here at DU.

[JaneQPublic]

32. Dean said he opposed the $87 billion unless * would repeal his tax cut

n/t

[AP]

34. Apparently CBC didn't feel the same way. They didn't way to see what

would happen with the tax code.

Again, I'm baffled that Owens would cite this in his letter explaining his support of Dean, and I'm similarly befuddled about Jackson saying, essentially, "well, notwithstanding '95 comments, he's not going to end AA" and then pointing out at the same time that you're not going to agree with anyone 100% percent.

[AP]

35. Dean says "ought" not "unless" -- big difference.

No?

OK, he also says "has to", but he also says "ought", and he makes two other statements (which are in bold in my post below with the quote) suggesting that it's an imperative to pay for this.

[JaneQPublic]

36. To-may-to, To-mah-to

Yes to the 87 bil, if the tax cut goes away.

No, if it doesn't.

[AP]

38. "We have no choice" says Dean. What does he mean?

Is he saying we have to pay $87 Bil? We have to repeal taxes and pay $87 bil?

For a straight-talker, that Dean is hard to pin down.

[AP]

33. Dean: Yes on $87B for Iraq-repeal Bush tax cut to pay it

Q: Bush has asked for $87 billion for the ongoing war on terrorism. Your vote, yes or no, and if yes, how do you pay for $87 billion?

DEAN: We have no choice, but it has to be financed by getting rid of all the president's tax cuts. Even though I did not support the war in the beginning, I think we have to support our troops. The $87 billion ought to come from the excessive and extraordinary tax cuts that this president foisted upon us, that mainly went to people like Ken Lay who ran Enron.

http://www.issues2000.org/2004/Howard_Dean_War_+_Peace.htm

I presume this site is reliable.

[incapsulated]

37. It's not a real question *or* answer

I mean, why not ask the question straight up, based on reality as it is now, not "pretend you're the President and were in this sticky situation...".

Do you or do you not support the $87 billion being voted on now?

I have no idea based on this what his answer would be.

[AP]

39. Exactly.

The only reason he tied it to the tax cut was so his anti-war supporters could delude themselves into thinking he's anti-war still, and the only reason he said 'we have not chocie" is because he thinks he has a chance to win and he's talking about Iraq the way he knows he would have to if he's to have any chance of winning the primary.

However, it was a real question in the sense that the candidates in congress voted on this very issue not long after the debate, and they voted the way the answered the question.

[AP]

40. Could I get a comment on whether it's strange that Owens would write

a letter supporting Dean which cites the 87 Bill given that Dean basically said that he didn't have a problem with it (albeit, provided there was money for it)?

This is batty, isn't it?

[Isome]

42. "Our people, our rank and file is already with Howard Dean"

Who is Owens? He doesn't speak for me? He doesn't speak for the many politically active people I know. How can he say the rank & file of Black folks are with Dean, when he's not representing the rank & file, he's representing supporters of Dean. That's a dishonest and inaccurate statement to make. It also sounds like the familiar tactic of making an claim authoritatively, and then waiting for self-doubt to compel the listeners to mindlessly agree.

The whole "class" AA remark is troublesome, because it (class) is already part of the criterion for AA. There was no need to emphasize it.

[incapsulated]

43. Nobody is in the lead with black vote yet...

Except, maybe... Sharpton? *gasp*

;)

[SahaleArm]

45. A look at Dean's Seattle appearance.

Minorities await Dr. Dean's house call: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/jamieson/136769_robert27.html