Is Jesse Jackson jealous of Barack Obama's mainstream success?

[Bicoastal]

I mean, the phrase "cut his (blank) off" is indicative of a lot more than mere ideological disapproval. In my opinion, there's something personal going on here...

..I think that Jackson takes a great deal of pride in the fact that, prior to Obama, he was the black politician with the best chance in history of being nominated by a major political party. Perhaps this goes hand-in-hand with a bit of anger and bewilderment on Jackson's part that, despite his best efforts, he (Jackson) will never be fully accepted by the white mainstream media. And maybe he sees Obama as a younger, shrewder version of himself--but more media savvy, more skilled at appealing to voters from all demographics, and without Jackson's uncanny ability to make really, really stupid mistakes when he thinks no one is watching or listening. (Case in point, this week's headlines.) Thus, Jesse laments what could have been, and lashes out in private.

That's my armchair analysis. Anything to this theory, you think?

[blonndee]

1. That's what I heard suggested today.

I ALMOST typed that I heard it on Ed Schultz but then rethought it--it seems like someone on teevee was saying the same thing.

I don't have an opinion either way regarding Jackson himself--however, I certainly don't think that his comments HURT Obama in any way, and may have helped to some small degree. JMO.

[gateley]

2. Jesse Jackson has always talked shit and has gotten caught a couple of times -

Nothing new.

Your theory may be correct in that he's a bit resentful (from my armchair to yours).

[rox63]

3. Yep - Remember his anti-semitic nickname for NYC?

[gateley]

8. Yeah, that's what came to mind. nt

[NOLALady]

4. Maybe.

But, I doubt it. I have a hard time believing Jackson is bewildered.

Different generations. IMO, they have little to nothing in common.

[jedr]

5. there are certain members of our liberal camp that

the less they say, the better......to mind mind Mr. Jackson is one of them. Of all the black people that are a credit to there race and struggle, to choose Mr Jackson as a spokesman is a sin. IMHO!

[JoFerret]

7. Watch out for that dad. n/t

.

[JoFerret]

6. No idea but it is clear that Junior

is still Junior.

[Bullet1987]

9. At one point in time Jackson was viewed favorably too...

That's his own fault that he's not anymore.

[ingac70]

10. Jesse is jealous, to be sure.

He would have gone further in his political career had he not been such a jerk, so he needs to look at himself, and not seethe over Obama.

[pnwmom]

11. Absolutely. And as a Reverend who secretly fathered a baby out of wedlock

I'm sure he resents the hell out of Obama for calling on black men to support their families.

[cherokeeprogressive]

12. Totally agree. JJ's time has come and gone. He's no longer relevant in a national sense.

His politics have always been the politics of grievance. Obama's have never been.

Jesse's future is to be the black, male verson of Gloria Allred. Look for him to be in front of the cameras any time someone of color has been wronged. But don't look for him to be relevant in a national political sense.

[obamacon]

13. I agree

with this analysis. I think Jackson's resentment at Obama's success manifests itself in a rationalization- "the only reason he's popular with white people, while i am not, is that he knocks down black people to win their approval". I think he was referring to Obama going to a black church and saying "Any fool can have a child. That doesn't make you a father.". I think this message is spot-on and should be delivered in every community.

I feel Jesse Jackson served the black community admirably in his prime. Now he should graciously step aside, and let a new generation of black leaders address today's problems with today's solutions, and not see the world through the 1960's civil rights prism.