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27.01.2008
Clinton Plays the Jesse Card

I have a piece in the upcoming print issue on Obama's complicated relationships with members of the Jackson family. One of the points I make is that if Obama is seen as being close to Jesse Jackson Sr.--who, after endorsing Obama and then taking swipes at him, now appears to have swallowed his pride (with a little coaxing from his son, Jesse Jr, who's a solid Obama supporter) and become a more stalwart Obama supporter--then the Clintons will likely use that in their efforts to pigeonhole Obama as the "black" candidate. That said, I never thought they'd do it this explicitly. Here (via TPM) is Bill today in South Carolina dismissing Obama's strength there with the observation that Jesse Jackson won the South Carolina primary twice.

Classy! 

--Jason Zengerle

Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:02 AM with 11 comment(s)

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huntlib said:

"He's a good candidate, with a good organization." ....except that he's another Jesse Jackson....?  South Carolina doesn't count, apparently? They'll throw votes at anyone with dark skin?

Apparently, the Clintons don't want another vote, ever, from any black person.

January 26, 2008 8:21 PM

kgrant1054 said:

So much for the former President moderating his tone.  

January 26, 2008 8:29 PM

dbhuff said:

Keep it up Bill, look how well it worked in SC...  Obama won on change and won in the most affluent county...  how's that strategy looking now?

January 26, 2008 8:35 PM

AaronBBrown said:

The Clinton campaign better have Bill checked, for Alzheimer's, because the old man is losing it.

Obama is going to win the nomination, if he keeps getting help from President William Jefferson Clinton

January 26, 2008 9:03 PM

sprechs said:

y'know, if it weren't for the fact that bill clinton is an unabashed racist bastard who spent his career destroying African-Americans, you could argue that he is referring to the last Democrat not born in South Carolina to win there but lose the nomination.  But it can't be that.  It's Imperial Grand Wizard Clinton talking.

January 26, 2008 9:25 PM

The Stump said:

What you need to know about tonight's results: 1.) Obama took over 80 percent of the black vote,

January 26, 2008 11:35 PM

jm_rice said:

Unabashed racist bastard?  Wow, sprechs, your intelligence is...breathtaking!

January 27, 2008 2:05 AM

The Plank said:

There's a lot of grumbling about Hillary's concession speech--or lack thereof--last night. But

January 27, 2008 8:12 AM

sprechs said:

thanks jim--now i'm even happier that you didn't make the hall.

January 27, 2008 11:46 AM

ChanRobt said:

How 'bout this:  Obama reminds Clinton of Jesse?  Well Clinton reminds me of Huey Long.  

These white Southern cracker politicians are all alike.

January 27, 2008 2:13 PM

sprechs said:

my above post was pretty over the top, but don't the clintons deserve a little benefit of the doubt on race?  everything they've said that could be seen as the least bit racially insensitive has been hyped and distorted.  Even Jesse Jackson himself said he didn't take offense at the comment, in case anyone is still reading this thread...

January 28, 2008 1:39 PM