Jesse Jackson: "if I were to run for President in 2008 ...

[welshTerrier2]

it would be as an independent ..."

Jackson said this during an interview Saturday night with Russert on CNBC ...

[CountAllVotes]

1. oh good, I hope Jesse runs!

The Rev. Jesse Jackson replied after the last time (late 80s I think it was - ?) when asked if he was finished with the idea of running for President he replied, 'THE FIRE STILL BURNS!'

RUN Jesse Run!!! :D

:kick:

[regnaD kciN]

3. Great idea! He could be the first President...

...with two First Ladies!

(Oops...I mean the second. I forgot Condi. :evilgrin: )

[CountAllVotes]

5. is that meant to infer something?

that Condolezza Rice statement? How very rude and insulting. :evilfrown:

Jesse Jackson is one of the very few Democrats that has actually DONE something! Think about it!

[MADem]

7. Well, Condi did call Chimpy her husband

which would make her the SECOND first lady.

And as we all know, Jesse had a little "issue" when his girlfriend dropped a baby on him...and I am sure that MRS. Jackson had an even bigger issue with that.

[Tomee450]

24. Well,

apparently it wasn't that big of an issue since Mrs. Jackson is still with Jesse. People are too concerned with what others do in their private lives. Prominent people have been having adulterous affairs since this country was founded and some of those individuals contributed greatly to this nation.

[MADem]

27. I like Jesse's ideas just fine, but I found his "counseling" of Bill

when Bill was in hot water with his indiscretions boldly disingenuous. He brought his knocked-up girlfriend to the WH, fachrissake. That isn't just INVITING criticism, it is BEGGING for it.

Who knows Mrs. Jackson's agenda? For all we know, she could be sticking around to make his life miserable--and he deserves it. He behaved badly.

[Tomee450]

29. Of course he

behaved badly in that one instance and he was a hypocrite. Should a lifetime of good works be forgotten just because he someone engages in adultery? There are a lot of hypocrites in public life. If we got rid of the people in government who engaged in immoral behavior, I suggest that there might be very few officials left. Many statesmen have engaged in immoral behavior:Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, FDR. Lyndon Johnson, Dwight Eisenhower and many others. This country has benefited greatly from the service of most of the above individuals. People do make mistakes but forever condemning them, especially in light of the great good they have done, makes no sense to me. By demanding that people be perfect in their private lives, we may be preventing some of the best people from running for office and that is most unfortunate.

[MADem]

30. Sure, I have no quarrel with the concept of forgiveness

but that was a pretty big, pretty recent error on his part--not even 'youthful' as defined in the Henry Hyde The Salami dictionary. Taking the preggers gal pal to the Presidential adultery counselling sessions? That's not just a mistake, that is hubris, and it is what the GOP is full of, among other things...

[Tomee450]

32. Unlike some people,

I don't expect anyone to be perfect. I couldn't care less about Jackson's adultery. That's between him and his wife. I will not forget his lifetime of good deeds, something you appear more than willing to do because he had an affair. I'm glad he is still out there trying to fight the good fight, trying to make life better for the ordinary citizen. He is a good democrat and it's unfortunate that democrats would attack him.

[madeline_con]

2. As Spongebob said to the plankton ....

"Good luck with that."

[ISUGRADIA]

4. Apparently Jesse is missing the spotlight and needs a little attention

[...of J.Temperance]

6. Oh God, PLEASE DON'T DO THAT Jesse

We DON'T need a Democratic split...we DO need a Right-Wing Third Party candidate though. We need a split of the Democratic vote like we need a hole in the head.

WHY do we ALWAYS talk about shooting ourselves in the foot like THIS? WHEN are some people in the party going to learn?

[MADem]

9. Well, he could end up siphoning a load of GOP money to his cause

Sorta like Ralph Nader did the second time around.

If he were smart, he would run, get that GOP money, bow out, endorse the democrat, and use the dough to run ads in red markets for the Democratic nominee. Then, his reward is a cabinet post.

It's all wheeling and dealing. You just have to hope he doesn't get consumed by his own hubris.

[...of J.Temperance]

10. Jesse Jackson is all about his own ego

So, I'd say that he'd get consumed by his own hubris.

It's a bad move, it's a wrong move all round...and it's bad and wrong to EVEN think about pulling this. For 2008, we need ALL hands on deck, we don't need to give the Repukes the split in our party that would guarantee the Repukes would get in again.

Jackson should be stopped before he starts, if that means getting someone to write him a personal check for $10 million to just shut up and go away quietly, then so be it. I've got NO scruples in politics, I don't care WHAT it takes to either get something or to win.

[Tomee450]

28. Just more right wing spin.

Jesse Jackson has been a very loyal democrat. It really puzzles me as to why democrats would be attacking him. As for his ego, do you think he is the only public figure with an ego? At least his ego does not prevent him from trying to do good. He just not deserve your attack. I find it rather shameful, the kind of attack to be expected from Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Riley. Seems like you really bought their spin.

[...of J.Temperance]

33. I'm not doubting his loyalty and I've not bought Right-Wing spin

Yes, Jesse Jackson has been a loyal Democrat, and he should continue that loyalty by not even THINKING about running as an Independent in 2008 and splitting our vote...the 2008 election is going to be TOO important.

I personally am in the Center of the Democratic Party, but I'd support ANY Democrat under ANY circumstance, even if I didn't agree with them on ALL policy positions. And Jesse Jackson should do the same. Sure he might have some problems with where various national Democrats stand, however he needs to stay INSIDE our tent, not go OUTSIDE our tent and go Independent.

We're a big party, we're a big tent and we're grown-up and intelligent and we should therefore be able to tolerate and accomodate EVERYBODY.

[Tomee450]

37. Well, I've

got news for you. There are blacks who right now are of the opinion that they should switch to Independent. I had a very difficult time convincing a few people to vote for John Kerry. The Democratic party leadership does not seem to understand that a lot of black people are angry with the party. I've even heard suggestions that blacks should just sit out the next election. I hear repeatedly from people who have always voted democrat that they are sick of the party taking blacks for granted.

[DemonFighterLives]

15. That would be the best possible outcome

I hope Jesse is just bluffing to get a place in the dem hierarchy. He actually stated that it would not siphon votes from democrats and that appears deluded to me. The Democrats need to cast the big tent/net over him and make him a democratic supporter.
I have a lot of respect for Jesse and he looked good the last time he ran. I can also see where he is getting disillusioned with the pink tutu's.
Dems need to stick together! :grouphug:

[lastknowngood]

13. At least it would give the Democrats someone to vote for

n/t

[...of J.Temperance]

34. We have PLENTY of people to vote for

John Edwards, Mark Warner, Wesley Clark...Mark Warner, John Edwards, Wesley Clark...and then we ALSO have John Edwards, Wesley Clark and Mark Warner.

[itzamirakul]

26. We are going to have a Dem Party split anyhow because

a lot of Dems are sick of these DLC, Repubs dressed in lib clothing.

I wish someone would tell the rw media pundits that THEY are theonly ones who want Hillary. With Hil and Bill playing footsie-doodle with the Bushes now, I wish I had someone else to vote for for senate also.

It galls me to think how seriously and earnestly I fought to defend both of them....YUK!

[...of J.Temperance]

35. I'm split on Hillary Clinton running

I'm terrified of her running, in case the Arkansas Project begins AGAIN, meaning she'd lose. Then again, I also think that these freaks should be careful what they wish for, because part of me thinks that IF Hillary Clinton DID run, she might VERY well WIN. Why? Well because perhaps the people would vote for her, because that'd mean that Bill Clinton would get BACK into the White House, and he's still incredibly POPULAR amongst the people.

So, I'm torn. Having said all of that, my personal wish is for a ticket of John Edwards and Mark Warner OR Mark Warner and John Edwards.

[itzamirakul]

38. I think too many of us have "O-D"ed on pics of Bill sitting so lovingly

with Papa Bush. I mean...what the fcuk? If he wanted a father figure why didn't he pick a Dem? I understand the fundraising thing but this whole bs thing has gone too far for my taste. Now I don't want him back in the WH or anyplace else on my vote.

Hil used to be a Goldwater girl and I had forgiven her for that, but now I see that she still thinks Repub, deep down inside. She has had more than one chance to refute this war, but like Kerry, even when given the opportunity to say that she would not vote for the war today, she still keeps saying the war was the right thing to do. More of the DLC shit.

And then today, that fart-headed Schumer actually said that he, too would still vote to go to war in Iraq today - even after all that they know. So we are fcuked here in NY. There is NO ONE to run against them. I can't possibly see myself voting for a Repub so that means I have to hold in the puke when I pull the lever for Hil and Schumer again.

I have written to both of them, but only get a form letter in response so even that form of complaint seems useless. The Democratic Party in NYC is absolutely NOTHING but a mass of chaos in my opinion. Someone strong needs to step in and take over.

[Ignacio Upton]

8. Ralph Nader for 2008

Aeeeeeerrrrr....I mean Jesse Jackson in 2008.

[the_spectator]

11. I'd have to lose some weight ..." /nt

[fujiyama]

12. I'd rather vote for his son

He has done a lot of good work in his life but in recent years he seems more like an attention whore.

[elehhhhna]

22. Oh I doubt it. His son's a sleaze.

[Tomee450]

23. Why do you parrot

right wing spin on Jackson? I don't see Jesse acting like a whore at all. He goes out and calls attention to injustice such as police brutality and fights not to have people disenfranchised. His organization has registered thousands of people who vote democrat. Today,he is trying to help people from NOLA participate in the rebuilding of their city. He has pointed out that they have been left out and the Hispanics being hired are being exploited, being paid less than they should be. In the aftermath of Katrina, he took residents to shelters and tried to prevent them from being sent all over the country. He suggested that they be housed at local military bases nearby where the accomadations were very adequate. That would have prevented the widespread dispersement of the residents.

I don't understand these attacks on Jackson. I don't see him doing anything to deserves such attacks. Calling him a media whore is what the right wingers do. They dislike him solely because of his stand on civil rights.

[Tim4319]

25. I agree!

How come when Jesse does an interview, he is all about Jesse! But, when Howard Dean does an interview, he is all about the goodness of the Democratic party. Last time I heard, Jesse marched with Martin Luther King. The worked to right Civil Right wrongs. Even to this day, he is bringing attention to cases where individuals rights trampled on. But, he is perceived as only doing it for his own ego. Sounds like a double standard to me!

[Tomee450]

31. I couldn't agree more.

Jesse has been so loyal to the democratic party yet he is being attacked by democrats. I agree that he is treated differently than Dean. The double standard is quite clear. The constant talk of Jesse's ego grows rather tired. I don't agree that he has a big ego but even if he does, he would be no different than most public figures.

[H2O Man]

14. I saw Jesse on Russert's show.

He was outstanding. I have always thought highly of Rev. Jackson. Those who parrot the "Jesse is all about himself" lines do not know much about him. Jesse is a powerful, progressive force in American politics.

I've said this before, but it is worth mentioning again: Jesse was moving towards victory in the '88 primary season. The mainstream candidates got together, and made some deals. The candidate they put up was weak. More, Jesse had earned the VP spot on the ticket. Were he white, he'd have had it. Jesse had brought home hostages; he was sparking the unions into an active force; he was uniting the poor of all ethnic backgrounds and skin colors. He was changing the system of democratic primaries.

Of course, Michael D picked a safe candidate, who did spank Danny Q in their debate with a beautiful line about JFK. But the democrats got spanked in the election. One can only speculate, but I believe that with Jesse, we would have won.

I was in Boston, and right there in the park on July 4 when Michael and Jesse met. I know what type of shit was said. Americ took a step backward and to the right that day. This country had an opportunity, but backed away from it. We've paid a heavy price ever since.

[DemonFighterLives]

16. I agree with you

But one point- you don't win the VP spot. He may have deserved it and would have been better thad Dukakis too, but it was sadly not in the cards.
Jesse is fine with me, but would be more crippled than Hillary with the elusive independent voters. I would love to see him as Secretary of State or something. I think somehow Teddy Kennedy would have made a good President too, but the damn skeletons in the closet have made him a Senator forever.

[H2O Man]

17. There is a

long history of how the VP is selected, with some obvious exceptions like Danny Q. And, of course, I agree that it is not "won" in the sense of second place, etc. But, in keeping with the same standards that the democrats have used for the past century, Jesse at very least would have been in the running. That's at very least -- he actually offered more positives than anyone else in '88. But the truth is that the top democrats banded together to keep Jesse out of the picture.

Secretary of State would actually have been a better position.

I think that Ted Kennedy stands with the greatest senators in our nation's history. I've never thought he would be a good president, though. John and Robert didn't measure up to Ted as a senator, but were presidential material. John could have led at many times, in theory, and Robert at that crucial time. But, in my opinion, Ted fits best as a senator, and is as good as those from the senate's "Golden Age". Of course, that's just my opinion.

[DemonFighterLives]

18. If we fast forward to the last "election"

we see Dean forced out by perhaps DLC and also the rovian repukes. I was getting into the 9 person field. Now maybe it was too many, but they all had something to offer and it made it look to us laymen that everyone was throwing their hats into the ring because "we" are pissed and not going to take it anymore. The field disintegrated too quickly and Dean or Clark or someone should have stuck it out. I like Kerry a lot, but man did he whimp out. He never called the bushies out on anything and basically rolled over.
I like the voices that some would call harsh. Sharpton was my hero and the energy and his take no prisoners style was great.

[H2O Man]

19. I agree.

I thought that Dean was kind of ganged up on, and not simply because he was in a lead position.

Sharpton certainly matured, and often was not only the best at creating memorable lines, but at telling the truth.

[ISUGRADIA]

20. "moving towards victory in the '88 primary season"

oh please. Jackson's campaign kept losing and losing to Dukakis. He won a handful of states. His campaign never went beyond the African American community and the progressive fringe. Numbers show that. And any chance he had to actually govern: mayor of DC for one, he avoided. Jesse rather be campaigning than governing.

We would have lost by a larger margain with Jackson as VP than Bentsen. And people don't vote based on the VP.

[H2O Man]

21. Sure thing.

In order to show the shallowness of your position, I'd just like to highlight the last two sentences:

"We would have lost by a larger margain (sic) with Jackson as VP than Bentsen (sic). And people don't vote based on the VP." This is interesting not only for the glaring contradsiction, but more, is a wonderful example of a bias (based upon emotion), as opposed to an opinion (based on logic or fact).

[KingFlorez]

36. That would shake things up

It would be so cool for Jesse to run.