So why was Jessie Jackson trying so very hard to diminish BC's role in release?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

I was watching MSNBC to see the journalists return (ok, I know I swore off MSN, but this was a legitimate news event) and because of the timeframe, the Dylan Ratigan show was on and they had Jessie Jackson as a guest commentator.

He (Jackson) was doing everything in his power to downplay Clinton's role. He said Bill went only to "pick-up" the journalists, that all the negotiating had already been done. He said this before the footage switched to the journalists arriving and speaking and then Gore. When they came back to him after the coverage ended - he picked right back up where he left off, that Clinton had almost nothing to do really with the release and he used the same "he only picked them up" line. He really seemed to have an axe to grind. What's the back story on this? I found it very weird and in trying to diss Bill, I thought Jessie Jackson made himself look rather petty and bitter.

[billyoc]

1. "You know, Jesse Jackson won South Carolina, too"

[hlthe2b]

2. Do you not remember Clinton's comments during the campaign

Jesse Jackson surely does... (I'm not defending Jackson, just understanding why he is reacting so petulantly)

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. Right. I had totally forgotten about that.

But Jessie Jackson was anything but subtle with his comments. It was obvious there was some real underlying animosity. So why did they pick him to make the guest commentary?

[Captain Hilts]

8. Jackson also dissed Obama during the campaign. He can't take not being Top Dog. It's that simple.nt

[xultar]

9. Bill Clinton's comments were blown way out of proportion, even when the SC Congressman

was asked about it later he was like it was a hard fought campaign and he did what he had to do.

So please, don't go there.

[hlthe2b]

10. Xultar.. as I clearly indicated, I am not defending Jackson's

attitude towards CLinton--only explaining to the OP why Jackson holds his grudge. One has to "go there" to give a little context. I agree it was blown out of proportion by the media, but not, apparently in Jackson's eyes.

[xultar]

12. I overreacted so apologies. Jackson is all upset he's a nobody.

[hlthe2b]

15. ...

;)

[ginnyinWI]

4. seems to be the way he is.

Remember the comments about Obama before the election? He can't stand anyone else to have more of the limelight than he does. It IS very petty.

[Autumn]

5. That's Jessie Jackson

if he isn't in the lime light he will try to turn it off. IMO

[Clio the Leo]

6. Because he's Mr. Storm Cloud.

He never got to castrate the President and his life has been miserable ever since.

You think those tears you saw on election night were tears of joy? Nope! The man was scared!

[traxster]

7. He has a problem with his diminished role in national politics...

and has proven himself to be a hater.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. He's right, but still stupid-jealous

Clinton's visit was probably a pre-arranged condition for release of the reporters, not a visit to negotiate.

But why oh why didn't Kim Jung Il want to see Rev Jackson instead? Why?
:cry:

[scheming daemons]

13. Because Jesse used to play that role.... now nobody needs Jesse anymore... Jesse is sad

[S_E_Fudd]

22. Bingo!!!...nt

[WI_DEM]

14. basically he is right. It had been decided before Clinton went that if he came they would be

released.

[Uzybone]

16. he didnt diminish anything, he told it like it was

all Bill Clinton did was pick up the journalists. For that we should be grateful. Obama, Hillary and Al Gore laid the groundwork.



Not to say Jesse isn't jealous but he was right about Big Dawgs role in this.

[vaberella]

19. That's how I understood the situation as well.

I figured BC doesn't have the political authority to be making any "negotiations" in the name of the United States. He's just a good diplomatic representative in some parts of the world when the time calls for it.

[Phx_Dem]

27. I agree. That is not diminishing Clinton's role at all. Alot of

people worked very hard for months behind the scenes to arrange this and Bill Clinton's "front man" role should not detract from all the work Al Gore, the State Department and the White House did before Clinton was even brought on board.

[Mass]

17. For telling the truth??? Obviously, the negotiations were done before he went.

Do you seriously think that they would have sent him without something done. It would have been a huge and stupid risk taken by the administration.

This does not mean that Clinton did not do a good thing, but, let be real, he is no super hero. He is a good team player. I have not seen the clip, but I guess it is what Jackson was trying to say.

[vaberella]

18. I'm no JJ fan but this is what I thought. n/t

[Zomby Woof]

20. Jealousy

Remember, Jesse was the go-to guy for hostage release negotiations back in the day. But it was ALWAYS about Jesse.

Fuck that charlatan anyway.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

21. I wouldn't worry about it. I'm pretty sure Bill and Jessie are still good friends.

[wininboy]

23. Because the Big Dawg was the US's "First Black President"

and Jesse thinks it should have been *HIS* title

[JayMusgrove]

24. Whenever JJ Sr comes on MSNBC, I turn to CNN

I'm sorry, I just can't stomach his commentary.

[Sebastian Doyle]

25. Rev. Jackson has been on enough of these "missions" himself to know how it works.

It makes sense that much of the negotiations would take place before you send any representative into potentially hostile territory, especially (in this case) a former President.

[Doctor_J]

26. Bashing/diminishing Clinton is a good way to get on TV

In truth I am sure much work was done before WJC went.

[BlooInBloo]

28. According to what I've read, Bill was basically a high-profile chaffeur..

Possibly more details have come out, however.

[TexasObserver]

29. Because Jesse Jackson is a jealous has-been.

I can't remember the last time he said or did something that was newsworthy.