Contessa Coaxes Jesse Jackson Into Ripping Rendell

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A couple days ago, speculating that Contessa Brewer might be a closet conservative, I expressed the hope that I wasn't making trouble for her at MSNBC. Maybe I did. For the anchor now has gone out of her way to express PC sentiments that almost make you wonder whether she wasn't trying to prove her liberal bona fides to her MSNBC honchos.

 

Jesse Jackson would normally be the last person who'd need to be persuaded to take offense at any comment that could possibly be considered to have racial overtones. Usually, it's a case of duck meets junebug.

But for whatever reason, interviewed by Brewer on MSNBC this afternoon at 4:18 PM ET, Jackson was on his way to taking the high road regarding Ed Rendell's recent remark about some whites in Pennsylvania being unwilling to vote for blacks . . . until Contessa cut in to point out the possible racial slight. Jackson took the hint and proceeded to express the criticism Brewer had apparently been hoping for.

CONTESSA BREWER: Reverend Jackson, one more thing I want to ask you about here. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell supports Hillary Clinton, and he recently said, quote, "you've got some conservatives here, and I think there are some whites, who are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate."

Brewer went on to play a clip of Rendell explaining his comment.

BREWER: What's your reaction to that?

Jesse started to go kumbaya on Contessa.

JESSE JACKSON: Well, that some men will not vote for a woman, and some whites will not vote for a black. But I say, grow up! Let's make America America of all its people --

No, no, no, Jesse! That's not what we're looking for! Give us the anger! Contessa cut Jackson off before he ruined everything in a fit of high-mindedness.

BREWER: But do you think, do you think that the Governor even raising that specter, even saying -- what's the point of pointing out that some people might be still be racist or sexist?

Contessa clapped her hands together to emphasize her point, as if to say "c'mon Rev, work with me here!"

Finally, as the English would say, the penny dropped.

JACKSON: Well, by stating the obvious it's a powerful suggestion. And I would urge all surrogates not to drop in suggestions that could be in fact distracting and be detrimental to this campaign. I think it was an unfortunate public observation.

That's more like it!