We’ve written here about allegations that Jesse Jackson told a forum that an Obama administration would drive out the “Zionists.” As you can see we’re a teensy skeptical of the source.
We also allude to the less than kissy kissy relationship between Jackson and Obama – the elder statesman, umm, threatened emergency surgery after Obama delivered a lecture on African American fathers and responsibility.
Now I’m wondering why we tippy-toed around all the colorful stuff, when the Obama campaign statement Jake Tapper at ABC gets right to it:
The Obama campaign’s response to these vague quotes – recorded by a columnist it considers hostile in a tabloid newspaper it considers biased against them – from an interview with a man last publicly seen threatening to castrate Sen. Obama, is as follows, from Obama campaign national security spokesperson Wendy Morigi:
“Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is not an adviser to the Obama campaign and is therefore in no position to interpret or share Barack Obama’s views on Israel and foreign policy. As he has made clear throughout his career and throughout this campaign, Barack Obama has a fundamental commitment
to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, and he is advised by people like Dennis Ross, Daniel Kurtzer, Rep. Robert Wexler, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Senator Joe Biden who share that commitment. As President, he will ensure that Israel can defend itself from every threat it faces, stand with Israel in its quest for a secure peace with its neighbors, and use all elements of American power to end Iran’s illicit nuclear program. No false charges can change Barack Obama’s unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security.”
UPDATE AND CORRECTION: The Obama campaign sent out the above in an email forwarding the peerless prose of Jake Tapper at ABC. So the quotes from Morigi are directly from the campaign, and the stuff about castration is from Tapper, via the campaign.
Jackson has now responded and says his remarks were distorted and – regarding the “Zionist” jibe – even made up. From Jackson’s Rainbow Push coalition:
“The recent column in the New York Post by Amir Taheri in no way represents my views on Middle East peace and security. The writer is selectively imposing his own point of view, and distorting mine.I have a long held position of a two state solution to achieve peace in the Middle East. I stand forthrightly for the security and stability of Israel, its protection from any form of hostility, and a peaceful, non-violent resolution to co-existing with its Palestinian neighbors.”
And:
Reverend Jackson is not a representative of Senator Obama. He has never had a conversation with Senator Obama about Israel or the Middle East, and was not characterizing Senator Obama’s views on these issues.
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