Over the course of three segments, various "Good Morning America" reporters and hosts attempted to understand and explain away Reverend Jesse Jackson's vulgar assertion that he would like "to cut [Senator Barack Obama's] nuts off." During the show open, co-host Diane Sawyer referred to the comments, made while Jackson was prepping to do an interview on Sunday and not aware his mic was on, as "colorful and cutting remarks."
Co-host Chris Cuomo interviewed the reverend and bizarrely insisted, "Clearly, you're a big supporter of Barack Obama..." Clearly? Again, Jackson's assertion was that he would enjoy cutting the "nuts" off the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Would a conservative be given such leeway in dismissing any consideration of real anger? The ABC program acted as though Jackson's meaning and intent were unclear. During a second segment, which featured "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos discussing the issue, an ABC graphic read, "Jackson vs. Obama: What Did Jesse Jackson Mean?"
Reporter Jake Tapper repeatedly called for looking at the "cut his nuts off" statement in a broader context. He asserted, "Jackson's vulgar language notwithstanding, he is far from alone in thinking Obama needs to put the struggles of black America within a larger societal context." Tapper also observed that Jackson "gave voice to a frustration among some in the black community with Obama's Cosby'esque, tough love approach to black America."
After remarking that Jackson's comments most likely won't hurt Obama as he tries to appeal to whites and moderates, Tapper reiterated, "On the other hand, Obama will address the NAACP next week and he might want to keep in mind that Jackson's frustrations are not just Jackson's."
During an interview with the civil rights activist, Cuomo also attempted to see the broader scope of the reverend's vulgar phrasing. He queried, "Let me ask you a question about context here. Is the emotion that you betrayed in your comments about Barack Obama, is that represent [sic] a larger frustration with him within the African-American community?" And he closed the segment by asking how embarrassing the whole controversy was when, clearly, Jackson would rather be talking about the "bigger issues."
The "What Did Jesse Jackson Mean?" graphic from George Stephanopoulos's segment can be found at right. And a transcript of the Jake Tapper segment, which aired at 7:01am and a partial transcript of the Cuomo interview, follow:
7am tease
DIANE SAWYER: This morning, Jesse Jackson caught on an open mic with colorful and cutting remarks about Barack Obama. A new interview this morning and we have it here.
7:02am
SAWYER: But let's begin right now with the race for '08 and those words about Barack Obama from Jesse Jackson, one of his main boosters and of course one of the most prominent leaders in the African American community. Senior political correspondent Jake Tapper is in Washington to launch it all. Jake?
JAKE TAPPER: Good morning, Diane. Well, you know it's said in Washington a gaffe is when a politician accidentally tells the truth. Well, I think we need a new term for when an open microphone catches the private conversations of a public official as happened with Jesse Jackson talking privately, or so he thought, about his view of how Obama talks to the black community.
JESSE JACKSON: See, Barack been talking down to black people on this faith based-- I want to cut his [bleep] off.
TAPPER: Unaware his microphone was on before an interview, Jesse Jackson expressed anger that Barack Obama has, in Jackson's view, been overly critical of the African-American community in a video that aired on "The O'Reilly factor." Listen again to Jackson's comments.
JACKSON: See, Barack been talking down to black people on this faith based -- I want to cut his [bleep] off.
TAPPER: Jackson quickly apologized for his remarks.
JACKSON: They were hurtful and wrong. That's the whole point. And that when you make mistakes, you should not equivocate. You should be quick to go on the offensive and not try to be evasive.
TAPPER: But Jackson also gave voice to a frustration among some in the black community with Obama's Cosby'esque, tough love approach to black America.
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: More than half of all black children live in single parent households. Only we, as parents, can make sure that when our sons grow up, they treat women with respect.
TAPPER: Jackson's vulgar language notwithstanding, he is far from alone in thinking Obama needs to put the struggles of black America within a larger, societal context.
DONNA BRAZILE (ABC News consultant): What he is trying to offer to Senator Obama is, hey, let's talk about all of the issues facing urban America, all of the issues facing the African-American community.
TAPPER: Obama's campaign said the senator accepted Jackson's apology, but Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. was not so forgiving, saying of his father, quote, "I'm deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson's reckless statements about Senator Barack Obama. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself." Now, the politics of this are complicated. It probably does not hurt Obama as he tries to appeal to white independents and moderates to be seen as alienating Jackson for doling out tough love to the black community. On the other hand, Obama will address the NAACP next week and he might want to keep in mind that Jackson's frustrations are not just Jackson's. Diane?
7:01am tease
CHRIS CUOMO: And a big political headline this morning: Jesse Jackson is in a TV studio, on mic but not on camera yet. Heard discussing Barack Obama, accusing him of talking down to the black community.
SAWYER: Yes, it was another one of those comments, caught when he thought he was off microphone and we are going to get a chance to talk to Reverend Jackson. He is standing by an exclusive interview coming up now.
CUOMO: Clearly a big supporter. Wants to clear this up as soon as possible.
7:06am
CHRIS CUOMO: Reverend Jackson is at our Indianapolis affiliate, WRTV standing by to try and speak to us today. Technical difficulties. Hopefully, he's hearing me on a phone. Reverend, can you hear me?
JESSE JACKSON: Good morning, I can hear you.
ABC GRAPHIC: Jesse Jackson Responds: Apologizes for Verbal Flub
CUOMO: Beautiful. Great to have you here. The situation is obvious. Clearly, you're a big supporter of Barack Obama, but clearly you used some very tough language. Basic question, do you like Barack Obama?
JACKSON: Very much. And I'm a long-standing supporter and because of my commitment to what he represents and the campaign, I was quick to apologize for any offense, any harm, any hurt. He was quick to respond very graciously and that's the good thing. My anguish is over. The limitations of the most fervent faith-based programs, because there is the issue of faith, hope and substance. With bridges collapsing and levees being overrun we need to focus on the cause item of some real commitment to reinvest in urban and rural America.
CUOMO: You're bringing up --
JACKSON: And that would be government-based and in some sense private sector based.
CUOMO: You're bringing up primary issues that are certainly very important to the African-American community. Let me ask you a question about context here. Is the emotion that you betrayed in your comments about Barack Obama, is that represent [sic] a larger frustration with him within the African-American community?
JACKSON: I don't think so. I think he enjoys great support because he is the leader in this rather transformative, redemptive moment and yet within the black community there are some severe structural crises-- Infant mortality rate is higher. Life expectancy is shorter. The most children in school with teachers less than three years experience, the highest murder rate and now the need to revive a ban on assault weapons, I mean, these things of great substance must be addressed, I think, with more passion and he is committed to that proposition. I think it deserves to have a greater emphasis.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
"colorful and cutting
July 10, 2008 - 12:04 ET by RESTLESS 1"colorful and cutting remarks."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
"colorful & cutting" from who?
July 10, 2008 - 12:17 ET by ChuckM from PALeave it to a woman to talk about castration as being "colorful and cutting". As a guy, there is nothing "colorful" about that kind of cutting.
Hey, most women I know don't
July 10, 2008 - 12:25 ET by RESTLESS 1Hey, most women I know don't believe a kick to the nuts is any more painful that a kick anywhere else. So, coming from Diane, this is not surprising.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Let's get the focus back on
July 10, 2008 - 15:44 ET by TruthMongerLet's get the focus back on Repubs where it belongs, people
Mission Accomplished
Major League a**hole
Wide stance
etc etc
Jackson's vulgar language
July 10, 2008 - 12:06 ET by allamericangirlFor the first time in my adult life I am proud of something Barrack Obama has done. To make Jessie Jackson mad enough to want to cut off his........
"Liberalism is a mental disorder" -Michael Savage
Yeah, and look
July 10, 2008 - 12:33 ET by fonzie2178at the MSMs frantic attempt at damage control. Now imagine if Mitt Romney said he wanted to cut McCain's "nadakins" off... They'd be ready to exile him from the country!
"Green, the new Red."
They'd be printing up
July 10, 2008 - 15:12 ET by PeskyDaneThey'd be printing up tee-shirts and putting it in his obit file for later use.
Cuomo could only have meant one thing...
July 10, 2008 - 12:08 ET by c5thenRegardless of Jackson's comments, he must "clearly" be an Obama supporter because he is black. I can find no other inference in Cuomo's statement that makes any sense otherwise.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Chris Cuomo has no nuts
July 10, 2008 - 12:15 ET by YahooWatcherYou have categories for the MSM:
nuts (Chris Matthews, Keith O),
numb nuts (Dan Rather, Walter Cronkite)),
and then no nuts (Matt Lauer, Alan Colmes).
coco-nuts
July 10, 2008 - 12:20 ET by ChuckM from PAand then there are those that are just coconuts (or cuckoo-nuts). That would be most of the crew from MSNBC.
then who
July 10, 2008 - 16:13 ET by I.am.DILLIGAFwould be considered Chock-Full-O'nuts??
Guns and Violence are not the answer but they are one solution to the problem== SARG
Would Glenn Beck be beer
July 10, 2008 - 14:53 ET by fishshakerWould Glenn Beck be beer nuts?
Wondering
July 10, 2008 - 12:17 ET by CattleDogOne has to wonder if this is JJ's way of manipulating the Obama team? Could there be a vast Left Wing Conspiracy to control POTUS?
I just find it hard to believe JJ isn't seasoned enough to keep his mouth shut during breaks and end of segment.
→ Cattledog
July 10, 2008 - 12:21 ET by Cool ArrowOr maybe he's taking one for the team.
You notice we aren't talking about flip-flops today, are we?
But then again, Jackson doesn't have a selfless nerve in his cranium.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
That's right CA,
July 10, 2008 - 12:38 ET by fonzie2178This is a great way to turn Obama back into a victim and get all the attention off his "johnkerryism"
"Green, the new Red."
Let me see if I have this
July 10, 2008 - 12:22 ET by RESTLESS 1Let me see if I have this straight. Jesse doen't like whitey, but jesse is mad at Obama for not demanding whitey fix (monetarily of course, no opinions from whitey allowed) the problem of black fathers abandoning their kids. Expecting blacks to bear their responsibility is racist.
Motherbelt, pass the duct tape.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
"Clearly, you're a big
July 10, 2008 - 12:23 ET by Ruths husband Ben"Clearly, you're a big supporter of Barack Obama"
You know the problem is that we conservatives are not up with ghetto slang. You know, like "you bad" really means "you are good". "I'd like to cut his nuts off" really means, "Some of my best friends are under that bus and I'd like him to throw me there too." And Obama accepting his apology really means, "I'd be glad to."
“it is not the role of this Court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct.” - Justice Antonin Scalia
Thanks for the translations,
July 10, 2008 - 12:37 ET by MassConservThanks for the translations, RhB.
Can we call that slang Obanics?
You are on to something
July 10, 2008 - 12:41 ET by Ruths husband BenYou are on to something there. NB should start a new category "Obanics" We could also capture all the times Obama has flipflopped and then claimed that they (the msm) weren't listening or didn't understand him right the first time.
“it is not the role of this Court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct.” - Justice Antonin Scalia
"Jackson vs. Obama: What Did Jesse Jackson Mean?"
July 10, 2008 - 12:29 ET by fonzie2178Pretty sure he meant he wanted to cut Obama's nuts off. Not that difficult to understand, there, ABC...
"Green, the new Red."
with "friends" and "support" like that...
July 10, 2008 - 12:33 ET by UndercoverConservative..who needs enemies?
So much hate, that they can't contain it. All that repressed feeling that the Left espouses, all the suppressed emotion due to the "political correctness" thought control they created. Now it leaks out and shows they can't even work together with themselves, much less unify a people.
Of course Jackson is threatened by Obama. How can he keep his cushy lifestyle and his "held down by The Man" schtick when his "brotha" IS "The Man"?
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is the same as calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
"You spend your money anyway you want and respect other's rights to do the same"
→ Remember Katie Couric
July 10, 2008 - 12:34 ET by Cool ArrowRemember when Katie asked a jilted bride if she had considered castrating her ex?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Rev. Jesse Imus
July 10, 2008 - 12:49 ET by CrashThe notorious race baiter has fallen into his own sick once again. So ... where's the obligatory Al Sharpton march, for that matter where's the Secret Service? If a white guy said he'd like to cut Barrack Hussein Obama's "nuts" off homeland insecurity would accuse the guy of making a terroristic threats.
How many times does Jesse Jackson need to apologize to prove to the American people, once and for all, that he will forever be a sorry excuse of an extortionist?
Spin, spin, spin, you
July 10, 2008 - 13:01 ET by SickofLibsSpin, spin, spin, you whirling dervishes!
He meant cut his nuts off in a GOOD way.
→ These are not
July 10, 2008 - 13:07 ET by Cool ArrowThese are not the moutain oysters mom used to make.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
[hurk]
July 10, 2008 - 13:12 ET by MassConservI think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Due to the seriousness of this physical threat...
July 10, 2008 - 13:33 ET by ThalpyDue to the seriousness of this physical threat to Mr. Obama's person, there should be an investigation launched on two fronts. Initially, an immediate threat assessment should be made by the United States Secret Service. Mr. Obama's person and precious body fluids may be at risk. Second, since Mr. Obama has not , in fact, received the nomination, a second threat assessment should be made by the United States Secret Service to see if Mrs. Clinton might be in similar danger. Since Mr. Jackson is and has been some sort of deranged religious kook for years, his threats must not be taken lightly. Proceed.
whew
July 10, 2008 - 14:23 ET by ChuckM from PAI laughed so hard, I almost pee'd my pants.
If Jesse's comment had been made by a white Republican
July 10, 2008 - 13:35 ET by nkviking75Had it been a white Republican who said this, there'd be no calm, intellectual discussion of the gaffe. There'd be loud, nearly incoherent ranting about bigotry and hate speech. Also, the clip would be played again and again and again, but the gaffer (i.e. gaffe-er) would never get a chance to explain himself in an MSM interview.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Lets just be thankful
July 10, 2008 - 13:43 ET by general companyLets just be thankful it wasn't someone on the right. Because we know that there are many that would love to, but not me, I would rather let Jesse do it. ; ]
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
GOferit JJ
July 11, 2008 - 05:44 ET by kilrodGOferit JJ, then post it on youtube.
(GRINS) kilrod
Remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
Context My A$$
July 10, 2008 - 14:26 ET by Chasvs"Obama needs to put the struggles of black America within a larger societal context"
Translation: Jesse Jackson the racist SOB OWNS the Black community and the RIGHT to keep them down for his own enrichment!
"What Did Jackson Mean?"- Here's what they're running from.
July 10, 2008 - 14:26 ET by Gary Hall"What Did Jackson Mean?"- Here's what Jackson meant. Here's what the MSM running from. They do not want to confront what's been under their table, right in front of their face, for a long time now.
Remember the Rev. Wright rant? No, not the one's the MSM sorta used to parse why leftists blame the US for everything - the one in which the leftist black community believes, as clearly expresssed by Rev. Wright, that the Democrats, notably the Clinton "centrist" Democrats did not deliver for the black community (and neither would Hillary) - or where they just "talking down to them?"
This is the debate that the MSM does not want out in the election discussion. The MSM had the public - the voters - believing that the black community benefited from the Clinton era. They did not. They did benefit breifly from the dot.com boom - but it crashed before Clinton left office. They will benefit from long term smaller governement interference and long term sustained growth. This is a discussion the MSM does not want on it's print pages or in it's airwaves.
ABC, you wish to understand what Jackson is saying - what Rev. Wright was saying? Try listening to their words - they are telling you - works every time.
(;~/ gary
JJ's remark
July 10, 2008 - 16:03 ET by candanceThis has to be some kind of a stunt. I can't believe Jackson was sitting there in front of a mic in a live studio at Fox News and said such nonsense out loud.
Either Obama dissed him and he did this to get revenge, or it's some way for Jackson to get in the news. Jackson has been in the media long enough to know better.
I do agree with Scott though - had a white person said this it would have been the end of their career.
UFB
July 10, 2008 - 16:40 ET by ToddonCapeCodThis is what liberalism has gotten us.
Remember how after 9/11 happened. The Left said, "We need to seek to understand the terrorists, and why they hate us so much."
Now, it seems we can't just right off Jesse Jackson's remarks as stupid, but we need to seek to try to understand him and his frustration, and how can we blame whitey for him saying this!
Nut threat language; could be crucial
July 10, 2008 - 16:47 ET by SickofLibsThreatening to kick someone in the nuts is "colorful". Cutting off the nuts, is well, Bobbitt-ish.
That being said, the reporting of the actual comment seems to vary about 50/50 between cut OFF his nuts, and cut OUT his nuts. The audio is not clear on this, likely due to JJ's manor of speaking like he has a mouth full of marbles.
Castrating a bull is accomplished by cutting OUT the nuts, leaving the rest intact and leaving the bull with some sense of masculinity. If JJ was alluding to OFFING the entire package, I'd say that would be way worse, and I'd lose even more respect for him.
The translation was spelled out for us.
July 10, 2008 - 17:23 ET by JTPHow can it be anything other than what Donna said?
"DONNA BRAZILE (ABC News consultant): What he is trying to offer to
Senator Obama is, hey, let's talk about all of the issues facing urban
America, all of the issues facing the African-American community."
As in liberal policies and programs that have kept most of the urban American folks slaves to the hand that feeds them?
Try conservatism.
Once you show the "downtrodden" how to be self reliant they will no longer require the liberal master which is what liberalism is in reality.