Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumJesse Jackson opens up on 2020 and the changing Democratic Party
The civil rights activist and two-time presidential candidate defends Buttigieg, blasts Biden and praises Warren in a wide-ranging interview.
By ALEX THOMPSON 06/30/2019 06:30 PM EDT
CHICAGO The Rev. Jesse Jackson has lost a step.
The 77-year-old two-time presidential candidates roaring sermons have become more muted and mumbled. His walk has become slow, unsteady. At a news conference here over the weekend with Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, she held up the microphone for him when he spoke. Jacksons Rainbow PUSH Coalition event on Saturday at the 4,000-capacity Apostolic Faith Church drew only a few hundred people.
But when it comes to the Democratic Party and its 2020 presidential primary, Jackson and his progressive organization for social change are more relevant than ever as the party embraces the issues he ran on three decades ago.
The 84 campaign broke the sound barrier, he said in an interview after the Rainbow PUSH event, which featured Warren, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii. Part of the whole idea was to sow seeds that would germinate.
Thats why, even though Jackson may not command a podium or draw crowds as he once did, at least six presidential candidates are joining him during the annual Rainbow PUSH International Convention, which ends Tuesday. Its also why candidates emphasize their ties to his presidential campaigns.
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https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/30/jesse-jackson-2020-democratic-party-1391027
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
rampartc
(5,455 posts)we are fortunate to still have him.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
femmedem
(8,210 posts)"In a wide-ranging interview about several of the 24 Democratic candidates and the most diverse presidential field in history, Jackson defended Buttigieg.
What happened there is not his fault, he said, blaming structural problems of longtime segregation in the citys housing and the fact that most of the citys police officers live outside the city, making them what he called an occupying force (Indiana law prohibits cities from requiring officers to live in city limits). He handled it with humbleness you know, I failed, Jackson said, referring to Buttigiegs remarks at the presidential debate last week. But he failed not just because he wasnt on it; he failed because of structural abnormality, and thats why I think the press has some role to put issues in context.
I voted for Jackson back in the day. I'm sad to hear he's getting frail, but thankful he's still here, still active.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)". . . . . .Jackson was less forgiving of former Vice President Joe Biden, who joined Jackson at a convention event on Friday. Speaking about Bidens record on busing which has become a flashpoint after Sen. Kamala Harris of California confronted him at the debate Jackson said that Harris established Biden on the states rights side of history, which cannot stand the test of time. He framed Bidens opposition to federally mandated busing as part of a larger debate over the federal governments trying to create racial equality.
"Hes for voluntary busing, Im for court-ordered busing well, everyones for voluntary busing, Jackson said. [T]he federal government had to order the abolition of slavery, the federal government had to order the right to vote, they had to order the desegregation of schools and jobs and contracts. So voluntary assumes that those who are oppressive have some will to move based on moral values, and that does not happen.
"Jackson added that Biden had done a lot of good things." . . . . . .
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
shanny
(6,709 posts)the federal government must step in. Jackson is absolutely right about that, as is Harris. Biden was wrong.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided