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.
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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!
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Contessa will get a gold
February 14, 2008 - 17:39 ET by bigtimerContessa will get a gold star with the crew at msnbc...they have to insert or help try to keep something going that isn't going on like they always have...racism.
Divide and conquer...only this time it is hurting their own leftist party, you know the one's who created and live off of it...
Btw...I wished Jackson would learn to speak english..he is hard to understand all the time.
Btw Mr. Finkelstein...you were right about A.B.Stoddard, she really has improved, she does not show her bias anymore like she used to years ago when I first started watching her...for which I am glad.
Careful
February 14, 2008 - 18:50 ET by allanfMark, You could have gotten the girl fired. She was probably called in for counseling with MSNBC management. If Rush Limbuagh picks up on it, her career is over.
I got the opposite impression
February 14, 2008 - 18:14 ET by KhyrisI dunno, if I were a covert conservative at MSNBC, I probably would have done the same thing she did:
1. Take a swipe at a Clinton supporter for bigoted comments
2. Entrap Jesse Jackson into hippocritically denouncing people who raise the specter of racism at the drop of a hat.
Me, I couldn't resist the irony, and I don't think that's "selling out for a gold star."
Or, if I were an
February 15, 2008 - 09:42 ET by dscottOr, if I were an intelligent lib at MSNBC tired of Clinton supporters who indirectly call fellow Dems racists during a primary, I probably would have done the same thing she did:
yada, yada, yada...
To me that's the responible thing to do as a socially aware journalist with ethics.
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
If she jumps this high by your remarks
February 14, 2008 - 18:29 ET by Lame CherryMr. Finkelstein, I did cringe when you put up your post for the trouble it might cause her, but I look at it a different way now.
The biggest a holistic oracles in liberal media must be on this site like a mouth on Chelpimp Clinton. If by your simple words, Pole Joe swings from his and Bubbles is giggling..........it must be incredible the work some dweeb must have to do every day in sorting out what Rush, Drudge and Newsbusters is putting on the agenda.
One little sultry Contessa has to go poundsville just to save her job, because some shaved knuckled male or female has given her the "Are you one or not look in don't ask don't yell".......quite the harrassment of Contessa and I feel pity for her for that.
Imagine how many meetings take place each day over what Newsbusters does. AP immediately changes stories when busted here and now cutie has to throw down to save her job.
It all just exposes what a bunch of creeps run the MSM. I would be crass in stating I bet she is a holy roller as she is a hottie and knowing the opposite reaction would occur, perhaps she will be on Morning Joe and do a pole dance to prove the claim in wrong..........but I will just leave that to fantasy lol.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
If Mr.Obama is elected...
February 14, 2008 - 19:55 ET by ThalpyIf Mr. Obama is elected President, some of Mr. Jackson's racist themes may run out of steam, or not.
I think the money quote of
February 14, 2008 - 20:11 ET by motherbeltI think the money quote of that exchange was Contessa saying,
what's the point of pointing out that some people might be still be racist or sexist?
Good grief! Did she not hear herself?
I applaud her for trying to
February 14, 2008 - 20:17 ET by KhyrisI applaud her for trying to get Jesse Jackson to indirectly condemn his own typical actions.