Because Jesse Jackson is seen as left-fringe, his comments benefit Obama's 'move to the center.'

[Unsane]

Discuss.

[Solon]

1. Since when has Jesse Jackson ever been left-fringe?

I'm left fringe, he's a moderate, at best.

[Unsane]

2. Seen that way by the middle

[Solon]

3. Only because he barely leans to the left...

and I do mean BARELY. Our whole political discourse in this country is fucked up, things become completely meaningless, hell, anything to the left of Bush is pretty much considered "fringe left wing" by the Mainstream Media and the people who believe them.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Best he ever did was about 20% of primary vote in '88.

Since more progressive DEMS are likely to vote in the primary, 20% of a distinct minority qualifies as 'fringe', seems to me.

No he's not Lybdon Larouche and yes, he has a constituency; but he's not mainstream and the OP is probably correct that his remarks could benefit Obama.

For the record, I voted for Jackson in the '88 NY primary and do not regret my vote.

[Solon]

5. People don't vote in primaries for the "most progressive" candidate...

They vote for the one they think, or rather, what other people say, is the most electable candidate.

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. They do one or the other and sometimes ( rarely) both.

Are you saying that lots of people aligned philosophically with JJ voted for Dukakis instead?

Perhaps. Certainly some did. But JJ's position on Israel-Palestine ( as well as his disparaging remarks about Jews and NYC) was a big issue in the primary here. Needless to say, much of the Dukakis and Gore vote was an anti-Jackson vote. These people were NOT secretly aligned with Jackson and voting for the pragmatist, Dukakis.

If memory serves , he finished third of three but it was close between JJ and the youthful Gore.

[theliberalking]

7. I\'d say it\'s a combination of progressivism and electability

When choosing among progressives Kucinich (or Dodd) and Obama, for example, the one who is seen as more electable, Obama in this case, would be favored, as we saw during the primaries.

[jasmine621]

10. Jackson receive more votes than Ross Perot. That was something.

And Jackson did very well in Appalachia and among mid-west farmers. Also, Jackson was the originator of the "hope" message. How soon we forget..."Keep hope alive."

[Median Democrat]

8. MSM Will Spin It As Jackson Being Jealous Of Obama...

... and this spin might actually be true, since publicly Jackson supports Obama, but privately he said what he said, and got ripped on by his own son from blurting out that comment.

Remember, Bill Clinton put-down Obama by comparing Obama to Jesse Jackson, and I am sure that Jesse Jackson is pretty ticked off at both Clinton and Obama for this.

[jasmine621]

9. But we old folks from the boots-on-the-ground movement of the '60s

know exactly what Jesse was talking about. No one had to tell me how to feel about those ads and subtle dissing of black and poor folks. Say what you will, but we know exactly what Jesse means.

[Median Democrat]

11. That's BS - Malcolm X and Other Black Militants Thrived

Preaching a message of self-empowerment and personal responsibility to people of color. Preaching self-improvement is not dissing people of color. Its believing in them. Yes, government can help, but more often government serves to protect the status quo. Government can assist in providing opportunities, but ultimately it is up to each individual. As a person of color, I totally agree with Obama's speech. His experience is a wonderful and inspirational example.