Wednesday, July 09, 2008

A lame excuse for an excuse

Did you hear about Jesse Jackson's comments about Barack Obama? No? Here they are:

The remarks came Sunday as Jackson was talking to a fellow interviewee, UnitedHealth Group executive Dr. Reed V. Tuckson. An open microphone picked up Jackson whispering, "See, Barack's been talking down to black people ... I want to cut his nuts off."

Well! That's certainly a classy statement. Reverend Jackson, anything to say in your defense?

Jackson told CNN's "Situation Room" that he didn't realize the microphone was on.

"It was very private," Jackson said, adding that if "any hurt or harm has been caused to his campaign, I apologize."


Private, huh - you don't say. I'm shocked that you didn't think the microphone was on. But let's not bullshit here, Reverend - you clearly believe what you said, or you wouldn't have said it. And note that nothing in Jackson's words actually backs off the statement itself. He says that he didn't realize the microphone was on and that the comment was private - as if blaming other people for having heard him - and then apologizes for the following things:

* "if any hurt or harm has been caused to [Obama's] campaign"
* the fact that the particular words used were "crude"

Earlier, Jackson told CNN he felt "very distressed because I'm supportive of this campaign and with the senator."

"So supportive that I would like to cut his nuts off for being, supposedly, condescending." Nice work, Jesse.

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