Why did Bill Clinton compare Obama to Jesse Jackson instead of John Edwards?

[BluegrassDem]

JE won the SC primary last election, but didn't go on to win the nomination. If Bill just wanted to make a point about a candidate winning SC, but not the nomination, why didn't he compare Obama to Edwards instead? Why did he dredge up Jesse Jackson from decades ago?

Of course, 99% of us know the real reason, I'm just wondering if the Hillary supporters who believe Bill was innocent, tell me why you think he just chose Jesse instead of John?

[madrchsod]

1. bad blood

[Political Heretic]

2. Good question. Deserves and answer.

[Frances]

3. Maybe he should have said Jesse Jackson AND John Edwards

Would that have been better?

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. It certainly would have been

but that would not have served his purpose, IMO.

[angie_love]

4. ...

I'm sure even some Hillary supporters will reject this comment. At least I hope so!!!!!!!!

[speedoo]

5. Possibly the most stupid thing he's ever said.

Just really stupid.

[davidinalameda]

9. stupider than I didn't not have sex with that woman?

[burythehatchet]

18. stupider than I didn't inhale?

[davidinalameda]

23. damn-we could go on all day with these

didn't realize the Big Dog could give Bushie a run for his money on saying stupid things until now

[LittleBlue]

6. Good question. Answer: one is white, one is black.

He compared Obama to another solely based on race, in a race-baiting effort. It motivates me not to hold my nose in November should Hillary be the nominee. I will not vote for a race-baiter.

[lisainmilo]

7. that is a very good question!

and it does deserve an answer!

[HughMoran]

8. He was clearly alluding to the 50% black voters in Democratic primary

It was a bad thing to do.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

10. That would be awkward

[havocmom]

12. How so and why?

[BluegrassDem]

14. Proud, why don't you just admit he was race-baiting?

You're being intellectually dishonest by claiming Bill was pure and innocent on that quote. You know it, and everyone else knows it! Just admit he was comparing him to Jesse cause he wants to paint Obama as a Jesse Jackson-type candidate. It's very hard for people to believe what you say when you're not even honest.

[tammywammy]

13. I dunno, that would have made more sense

[Tulkas]

15. Because he only has the race card to play.

[David__77]

16. I'm feeling really uncomfortable with these racial allusions.

No, I never shared many aspects of Clinton's ideology and practical politics. But I always supported him. But I really do not know what the hell he is doing with these comments! It's craziness and threatens the ability to have any kind of Democratic coalition.

[jackson_dem]

17. Did Edwards get 81% of the vote of one race in SC in 2004?

[CorpGovActivist]

19. With Lots of Family in KY...

... all I can say is:

:popcorn:

:beer:

Watching this thread closely for answers!

- Dave

[VotesForWomen]

20. possily to suggest that the demographics of SC do not mirror the entire country, and a candidate

who can win in SC will not necessarily win nationwide?

[george_maniakes]

22. and the demographics of iowa dont represent the country as a whole either.

yet obama won there too.

[knowledgeispwr]

25. That doesn't answer the question.

Edwards would have worked as an example; indeed Edwards would have been a more current example.

[Kahuna]

21. Because he wants to keep race and gender in the forefront of the

process.

[populistdriven]

24. K&R! nt