Honestly, what good does Jesse Jackson do the Democrat party??

[belcherboy]

With his comments during the primaries and now his comments below, does Jesse Jackson do more harm than good these days? I'm not sure making those statements is going to do anything but enrage people, but maybe, in some strange way, that helps his cause. Personally I think he just needs some light shined on himself every once in a while, and opening your mouth this way will certainly get you on the cable news circuit.

Jesse Jackson: 'You can't vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man' - TheHill.com

Jesse Jackson: 'You can't vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man'

By Mike Soraghan - 11/18/09 05:42 PM ET

The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Wednesday night criticized Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) for voting against the Democrats’ signature healthcare bill.

“We even have blacks voting against the healthcare bill,” Jackson said at a reception Wednesday night. “You can’t vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man.”

The remark stirred a murmur at the reception, held by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation as part of a series of events revolving around the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s run for president. Several CBC members were in attendance, including Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who’d introduced Jackson.

Davis, who is running for governor, is the only black member of Congress from Alabama.

He is also the only member of the CBC to have voted against the healthcare bill earlier this month.

Davis referred to Jackson’s 1988 run for president in a statement, issued through his office, that said he would not engage Jackson on his criticism.

“One of the reasons that I like and admire Rev. Jesse Jackson is that 21 years ago he inspired the idea that a black politician would not be judged simply as a black leader,” Davis’s statement said. “The best way to honor Rev. Jackson’s legacy is to decline to engage in an argument with him that begins and ends with race.”

Jackson said later that he "didn't call anybody by name and I won't."

He added that he wasn't saying that black lawmakers must vote a certain way. Instead, they should vote the interests of the people in their districts, and he said the healthcare bill would help Alabama because it's one of the poorest states in the country.

"The poorest people need healthcare protection," Jackson said. "They have the highest infant mortality and the lowest life expectancy. They're dying from lack of access."

Other members of the CBC found no fault in Jackson's words. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) was in the audience. He called Jackson's criticism of Davis "accurate," but said he did not hear Jackson say "You can’t vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man."

"If it is an issue that disproportionately impacts black folks, race has to be considered," Cleaver said. Jackson, he added, "is expected by his constituency to call balls and strikes."

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) called the remarks "vintage Jesse Jackson," but said Davis's vote against healthcare was consistent with a voting record more conservative than many CBC members.

"Artur Davis has a more conservative constituency," Waters said. "Since he's running for governor of Alabama, he reflects an even more conservative constituency."

Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) said each man was doing what he considered the right thing.

"People have a right to vote their constituency, and people have a right to speak their conscience," Jackson-Lee said. "Both happened."

Davis’s Democratic primary opponent, Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, highlighted Davis’s status as the lone African-American vote against the bill.

“He was the only Black Caucus member to vote against it. I don’t get it,” Sparks said last week, according to The Associated Press. Sparks is white.

Davis said he voted against the healthcare bill because "House leadership's approach is not the best we can do." He said he preferred a version passed by the Senate Finance Committee because it reduces subsidization of the healthcare industry, taxes high-value health plans instead of wealthy people, and is more effective in getting employers to help with health coverage.

Davis has countered that Sparks’s position on healthcare has changed over time, saying he’s being “deliberately dishonest.”

The primary will be June 1. All of the GOP candidates for governor have been critical of the healthcare legislation, according to the AP.

[eastside billee]

Honestly, what good does Jesse Jackson do the Democrat party??

He makes Obama look less liberal and less reverse racist.

[pfife]

this seems much easier than skin bleaching

[pfife]

I've got a question but I don't want to derail the thread, so I'll wait.

[sub rosa]

with jesse jackson, you have to take the bad with the good. he's often an eloquent and forceful voice for the poor and underprivileged. other times, he puts his foot in his mouth although he has good intentions. this is one of those times.

[DrWho17]

Why do you think Jesse Jackson has good intentions? I think he uses his self appointed position as spokesman for the black community for personal gain, he's personally made millions in the name of representing the black community. He's the worst example of citizen action, he's a leach, it's in his interest that black people stay poor so he can continue to use them.

[MrDeeds]

Jesse Jackson doesn't represent the Democrat party anymore than Rush Limbaugh represents the Republican party. They are both self-serving talking heads.

[hueytaxi]

I don't doubt the good that the Rev. has done, but he's such a pompous *** trying to be the spokesman for an entire race (well expect for Sharpton). And he does detract from others in the spotlight like Billee mentioned. His on camera persona seems to be all about him and the cause second.

[belcherboy]

As a person, I think Jesse Jackson is probably a pretty good guy. I have a friend who is in management at a large hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has been helping a new church get started in his city. Jesse Jackson stayed at his hotel, and he happened to be in the elevator with him. He introduced himself, and Jesse had a 15 minute conversation with him about his new church. He said he was genuinely interested and engaging.

I think the problem with Jackson is that he is a celebrity with a political agenda. He has to maintain an image, and that image is one of influence with the people of his race. He has to maintain the appearance of influence, or he loses his power. Since Obama has been elected, IMO he has lost some of the power he once had. So he comes out, says something controversial, and does his cable news circuit for a week or so. He'll get some tv time, and keep himself in the nations eye.

The problem, IMO, is that he is making it harder for the democrats in the health debate. Calling another democrat a "lesser" black individual does nothing to entice that person to change their opinion. Not only did he call out that individual as being less black, but is basically calling out any black individual that votes against the health care reform bill. It puts a racist spin on the health debate, that probably doesn't need to be there. Just my two cents. I can't imagine Obama and other dems are not frustrated with Jackson right about now.

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by MrDeeds

Jesse Jackson doesn't represent the Democrat party anymore than Rush Limbaugh represents the Republican party. They are both self-serving talking heads.

No, but is making it harder for the health care reform bill to pass IMO. Jackson does represent the democrats, and they have put him first and foremost in conventions and other prominent events. He has run for office as a democrat. If the GOP catered to Limbaugh in that way, you would hear a loud roar from the democrats no doubt. I think Limbaugh is a talking head, but Jackson does have some political bite with the democrats. He has worked hard in their party/organization for a long time to have that influence. That is something Limbaugh has not done.

[screwball]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

No, but is making it harder for the health care reform bill to pass IMO. Jackson does represent the democrats, and they have put him first and foremost in conventions and other prominent events. He has run for office as a democrat. If the GOP catered to Limbaugh in that way, you would hear a loud roar from the democrats no doubt. I think Limbaugh is a talking head, but Jackson does have some political bite with the democrats. He has worked hard in their party/organization for a long time to have that influence. That is something Limbaugh has not done.

Limbaugh was the keynote speaker at last years RNC. They gave him 5 million standing ovations. Not that I care, but he must have something they like, or want to hear.

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by screwball

Limbaugh was the keynote speaker at last years RNC. They gave him 5 million standing ovations. Not that I care, but he must have something they like, or want to hear.

Wow, I honestly don't remember that! My mind is going crazy on me!

Anyway, The amount of time spent working directly for the democrats separates Jesse Jackson IMO. He ran for Democrats presidential nomination on more than one occasion. I would venture to say he has spoken at EVERY DNC in the past 4-5 elections. (of course my mind seems to be going on me) He represents the democrats, and I have yet to see them denounce that. I have seen several GOP denounce Limbaugh as a leader in their party. Although he definitely promotes them!

I honestly don't see much of a comparison between the two. Jackson has MUCH more credibility as a democrat than Limbaugh as a republican. Jackson has spent 30+ years promoting and running as a democrat. Limbaugh has not as far as I know.

[Mark The Shark]

Originally Posted by screwball

Limbaugh was the keynote speaker at last years RNC. They gave him 5 million standing ovations. Not that I care, but he must have something they like, or want to hear.

That's just flat-out false. Not only was Limbaugh not the keynote speaker (it was Rudy Guiliani), but he didn't even give a speech at the 2008 RNC!

The speakers were:

Monday, September 1, 2008

Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States
Cindy McCain, wife of Presidential nominee John McCain

Tuesday, September 2, 2008
George W. Bush, President of the United States (by satellite).
Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States.
Joe Lieberman, Independent Democrat (formerly Democrat) U.S. Senator from Connecticut.
Norm Coleman, U.S. Senator from Minnesota
John Boehner, U.S. House of Representative Minority Leader and from Ohio

Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City, New York.
Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska
Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas.
Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts.
Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senate Minority Leader. McConnell performed the Adoption and Announcement of Vice-Presidential nominee Palin.[15]
Norm Coleman, U.S. Senator from Minnesota
Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii
Carly Fiorina, former Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard
Meg Whitman, former President and Chief Executive Officer of eBay

Thursday, September 4
John McCain, United States Senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican nominee for President of the United States.
Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota
Tom Ridge, Former Governor of Pennsylvania
Sam Brownback, United States Senator from Kansas
Bill Frist, Former United States Senate Majority Leader
Mel Martinez, United States Senator from Florida
John Ensign, United States Senator from Nevada
Lindsey Graham, United States Senator from South Carolina
Tom Cole, United States Representative from Oklahoma
Mary Fallin, United States Representative from Oklahoma
Marsha Blackburn, United States Representative from Tennessee
Aaron Schock, 27-year-old Illinois State Representative; nominee for U.S. House of Representatives
Rosario Marin, Former Treasurer of the United States

[Mark The Shark]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

Wow, I honestly don't remember that!

That's because screwball made it up.

[Deleterious]

Screwball was probably confused with CPAC. Limbaugh did give the keynote speech at that event earlier this year.

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by Mark The Shark

That's because screwball made it up.

I can't imagine Limbaugh will EVER make a speech at the RNC, let alone attend one. The GOP know how polarizing he is.

Glad to know I'm not crazy. I watched both the DNC and RNC last year.

[Mark The Shark]

Originally Posted by Deleterious

Screwball was probably confused with CPAC. Limbaugh did give the keynote speech at that event earlier this year.

And CPAC is a much, much, much smaller gathering than the RNC.

[Deleterious]

Originally Posted by Mark The Shark

And CPAC is a much, much, much smaller gathering than the RNC.

I know this. It's also not hosted by the GOP, as far as I know. I was just suggesting that was the speech Screwball was thinking of. I don't think SB is someone who just makes things up.

[screwball]

Originally Posted by Mark The Shark

And CPAC is a much, much, much smaller gathering than the RNC.

Ok, that was it. I was mistaken.

Either way, he spoke at one of them. I know because I watched it.

[Mark The Shark]

Originally Posted by Deleterious

I know this. It's also not hosted by the GOP, as far as I know. I was just suggesting that was the speech Screwball was thinking of. I don't think SB is someone who just makes things up.

The "making it up" slam was, perhaps, a bit uncharitable.

Originally Posted by screwball

Ok, that was it. I was mistaken.

Either way, he spoke at one of them. I know because I watched it.

NP. But the "one of them" was a smaller, more insular group that hardly compares with Jesse Jackson's multiple speeches at the DNC (to be fair to Jackson, though, he does give a good speech).

[screwball]

Originally Posted by Mark The Shark

That's because screwball made it up.

Missed this the first time.

I was wrong, I said that later in the thread when I found the mistake. Don't accuse me of making things up. I don't make things up. I'll leave it at that.

[Mark The Shark]

Originally Posted by screwball

Missed this the first time.

I was wrong, I said that later in the thread when I found the mistake. Don't accuse me of making things up. I don't make things up. I'll leave it at that.

I agree that it wasn't fair for me to have accused you of "making it up."

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by screwball

Ok, that was it. I was mistaken.

Either way, he spoke at one of them. I know because I watched it.

VERY different in my book.

IMO if you speak at the RNC or DNC, or are given a place of prominence at the event, that party is using you as a representative. Perhaps there are some exceptions to this statement, but I don't believe Jackson is one of them. With his prominence in the conventions, his key note addresses, and his attempt to be nominated for president from the democratic party, he most certainly is a democrat. I also think Limbaugh's absence from the RNC speaks volumes as well. (although he most certainly has helped them in some ways)

[billms]

[billms]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

VERY different in my book.

IMO if you speak at the RNC or DNC, or are given a place of prominence at the event, that party is using you as a representative. Perhaps there are some exceptions to this statement, but I don't believe Jackson is one of them. With his prominence in the conventions, his key note addresses, and his attempt to be nominated for president from the democratic party, he most certainly is a democrat.

On the other hand I can't think of a democrat who has bowed to Jesse in a long time - can you? I wouldn't be surprised if there was one but I pay attention and can't think of one.

I can probably come up with six-twelve republican politicians who have done that with rush in the past year.

They are different but comparable sorts of people. At this point in time Rush has much much more influence than Jackson. Really, who gives a damn what Jesse thinks?

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by billms

DANG IT!! I've been trying to bury that picture of me for years now!! It keeps popping up! (that sounded really bad!)

[Mark The Shark]

Originally Posted by billms

On the other hand I can't think of a democrat who has bowed to Jesse in a long time - can you? I wouldn't be surprised if there was one but I pay attention and can't think of one.

"Stay out da' Bushes!"

Still one of the more hillarious lines I've ever heard in a political speech.

[screwball]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

VERY different in my book.

IMO if you speak at the RNC or DNC, or are given a place of prominence at the event, that party is using you as a representative. Perhaps there are some exceptions to this statement, but I don't believe Jackson is one of them. With his prominence in the conventions, his key note addresses, and his attempt to be nominated for president from the democratic party, he most certainly is a democrat.

Fair enough. I don't care either way. I have no use for any of them. I was just stating something I remembered. Granted, the wrong venue, but he had an audience. That was my only point.

Off topic, but the real entertainment today is the committee hearing on the Ron Paul HR1207 bill on auditing the Fed.

If anyone is interested - Committee on Financial Services

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by billms

On the other hand I can't think of a democrat who has bowed to Jesse in a long time - can you? I wouldn't be surprised if there was one but I pay attention and can't think of one.

I can probably come up with six-twelve republican politicians who have done that with rush in the past year.

They are different but comparable sorts of people. At this point in time Rush has much much more influence than Jackson. Really, who gives a damn what Jesse thinks?

The GOP has done their best to distance themselves from Rush. No doubt they enjoy the benefits of his daily preaching of many of the issues that the GOP shares with him, but you have to admit his absence from the RNC speaks loudly about what they think of him. Maybe he would turn it down, and they just want to save themselves the embarrassment, but I can't imagine his ego wouldn't want the chance to speak at the RNC even where every major channel broadcasts it live.

I haven't seen it yet, although it wouldn't surprise me, but has many democrats come out against Jackson's statements yet?

[hueytaxi]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

DANG IT!! I've been trying to bury that picture of me for years now!! It keeps popping up! (that sounded really bad!)

You're the guy in the barrel?

[sub rosa]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

He has worked hard in their party/organization for a long time to have that influence. That is something Limbaugh has not done.

yet michael steele, the head of the republican national committee, apologized to limbaugh for calling him an entertainer.

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by sub rosa

yet michael steele, the head of the republican national committee, apologized to limbaugh for calling him an entertainer.

Did you want to quote the rest of what he said? Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but he pretty much denounced Rush as being a part/having influence with the GOP from what I remember.

If that is true, I'll wait to see if the Democrats have done or will do the same with Jackson.

[sub rosa]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

Did you want to quote the rest of what he said? Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but he pretty much denounced Rush as being a part/having influence with the GOP from what I remember.

If that is true, I'll wait to see if the Democrats have done or will do the same with Jackson.

Mr. Steele bristled after a questioner on CNN referred to Mr. Limbaugh as the de facto leader of the Republican Party on Saturday.

“No he’s not – I’m the de facto leader of the Republican Party,” Mr. Steele responded.

“Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer,” he said. “Rush Limbaugh, the whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it’s incendiary, yes, it’s ugly.”

Mr. Steele told Politico on Monday that he had called Mr. Limbaugh to apologize.

“My intent was not to go after Rush – I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh,” Mr. Steele told The Politico. “I was maybe a little bit inarticulate. There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership.”

R.N.C. Chairman Apologizes to Limbaugh in Flap Over His Role - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com

[belcherboy]

That is what I'm getting at. The statement earlier in this thread was that "Jackson is no more a representative of the Democrats, than Rush is a representative of the GOP" (or something like that).

Jackson is INDEED a big part of the Democrats. Maybe not as big as in years past, but he has been a key note speaker at the DNC, an outspoken advocate for other democrats, and has run MANY times for the presidential nod of the Democratic party.

I'm not sure Rush has done anything politically but rip the Democrats, and occasionally rip the GOP. The above statement proves that the leader of the GOP is indeed pushing Limbaugh away as much as he can, trying not to offend the guy.

Jackson is a democrat, and what he says reflects them. Maybe he doesn't have the same influence, but he still represents them in my opinion.

[sub rosa]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

The above statement proves that the leader of the GOP is indeed pushing Limbaugh away as much as he can, trying not to offend the guy.

i'm not sure i share your interpretation. i see steele's apology as an acknowledgement of rush's profound influence on the gop.

once upon a time i would've agreed with you - that jesse jackson had more influence on the democrats than rush had on the gop. not anymore. but you're right, jesse jackson is definitely a democrat - but his influence is greatly diminished by personal scandal and president obama's rise to power. that's one unintended benefit of obama's rise to power - the marginalization of sharpton and jackson (and others like them).

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by sub rosa

i'm not sure i share your interpretation. i see steele's apology as an acknowledgement of rush's profound influence on the gop.

once upon a time i would've agreed with you - that jesse jackson had more influence on the democrats than rush had on the gop. not anymore. but you're right, jesse jackson is definitely a democrat - but his influence is greatly diminished by personal scandal and president obama's rise to power. that's one unintended benefit of obama's rise to power - the marginalization of sharpton and jackson (and others like them).

I view Limbaugh's influence on the right as Oprah's influence on the left. I see neither as a politician.

[sub rosa]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

I view Limbaugh's influence on the right as Oprah's influence on the left. I see neither as a politician.

neither is a politician. oprah's influence on "the left" is miniscule compared to limbaugh's influence on "the right."

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by sub rosa

neither is a politician. oprah's influence on "the left" is miniscule compared to limbaugh's influence on "the right."

I would have thought the same till last election. I think Oprah was a HUGE reason why Obama was elected. Just my opinion though.

The only difference I see is that Limbaugh's show is politically motivated, Oprah's is not, but when she does get politically motivated, she can be a big part of getting a president elected. Again just my thoughts, I'm not sure most would share them.

[billms]

oprah has no influence other than hosting fundraisers - she gave palin a forum didn't she?

nobody listens to jesse except the right and sometimes the press - really - nobody

rush is talked about all the time - left and right - i assume he regularly has pols on his show but i don't listen so maybe thats not true - and of course the apology list is much longer than steele

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by billms

oprah has no influence other than hosting fundraisers - she gave palin a forum didn't she?

nobody listens to jesse except the right and sometimes the press - really - nobody

rush is talked about all the time - left and right - i assume he regularly has pols on his show but i don't listen so maybe thats not true - and of course the apology list is much longer than steele

Just your opinion here, do you think Obama wins the Democratic nod if Oprah throws her support to Clinton? Obviously there is no way of knowing, but I think Oprah was the difference in the primaries.